NBCUniversal's Upfront Show Goes On, Replacing Star Power with Song Power

For NBCUniversal, Upfront Week's traditional leadoff hitter, its 2023 presentation at Radio City Music Hall yesterday was nowhere near an atypical one. Many attendees wondered what they would be in for, given the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike prompting previously scheduled actors, series creators and showrunners to bow out, the firing of NBCU Chief Executive Officer Jeff Shell and the sudden departure of ad sales leader (and the company's key Upfront co-host) Linda Yaccarino to become Twitter's Chief Executive Officer. In the end, NBCU went forward with an event that was dim on star appearances but bright on production numbers. At the end, the crowd appeared satisfied with the show.