Upfront week is getting a significant last-minute change.
Netflix’s first upfront week occasion, initially slated for Could 17 at 5 p.m. at New York’s Paris Theater, is switching from an in-person to a digital presentation, Adweek has discovered.
The streamer knowledgeable attendees of the change in a be aware on Wednesday evening, including, “We stay up for sharing our progress on advertisements and upcoming slate with you. We’ll share a hyperlink and extra particulars subsequent week.”
The brand new occasion can be “produced to stream,” Netflix informed Adweek completely, Nevertheless, it’s going to not happen on the Paris Theater, and there’ll not be a reception following the occasion.
The streamer additionally confirmed to Adweek that it “made the choice to have no expertise on the presentation as properly.”
Netflix made waves in upfront week in January, saying it might be taking Paramount’s vacated Wednesday night slot for its first-ever look on the annual promoting showcase.
The Paris Theater was a pure spot for Netflix’s presentation, because the streamer has known as the enduring film corridor residence since 2019. Nevertheless, the selection of a smaller venue additionally introduced some challenges for entrepreneurs.
The presentation was one of the crucial sought-after for upfront week attendees, with many excited to see the traditionally ad-averse streamer’s debut within the promoting showcase, however the Paris Theater’s restricted seating made tickets tough to come back by, Adweek discovered after speaking with a number of consumers.
UPDATE: Netflix shifted to a digital occasion after the Writers Guild of America—which is on strike—informed the New York Police Division it might disrupt Netflix’s upfront occasion, which sparked NYPD issues about pedestrian security, in keeping with a supply accustomed to the matter.
Whereas Netflix didn’t give an official purpose for the change, the shortage of community expertise for Netflix’s first occasion—which one would have anticipated to be star-studded—is a possible indication that celebrities had been cautious of crossing WGA picket traces.
The strike, which is coming into its second week, already induced disruptions throughout NewFronts displays, with picketers semi-blocking the doorway to Peacock’s occasion at Center415 in New York.
