NBC Schedules “InFront” for April

BEVERLY HILLS, July 22:
NBC will again present its fall season grid to advertisers ahead of the
traditional upfront season, announcing plans to host an “InFront” event in
April 2009.

NBC broke with tradition
this year when it presented its new fall schedule well ahead of its
competitors, as part of a broader strategy for a new “client-centric” approach
to advertisers.

"Our decision to hold
a series of earlier more intimate meetings with advertisers this past spring
resulted in profound new partnerships, deeper engagement with our clients and a
very successful upfront for NBC," said Ben Silverman, a co-chairman of NBC
Entertainment and Universal Media Studios. "Our partners and us want to
build on this innovative strategy and continue evolving the broadcast
model."

"Giving our
advertising clients an early look at a 52-week schedule is a better way for
both of us to gain a competitive edge," added fellow co-chairman, Marc
Graboff. "We are going to respond to their positive feedback and set the
pace again in 2009 with an even better version of the InFront that focuses on
their advertising needs."

A year-round programming
schedule will be presented in April, followed by one-on-one client meetings in
New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.

—By Mansha Daswani