Buyers Appreciate CBS' Hard Work
May 15, 2008 8:48 AM
Following the Writers Guild of America’s strike, CBS managed to push its development process, shoot pilots and test its programs in time for its schedule announcement at Carnegie Hall on Wednesday.
“It shows their level of preparedness,” said Kris Magel, executive VP at Initiative. “That’s good.”
In a report Thursday morning, media buyer Magna Global noted that CBS was able to get its scripted shows back on the air quicker than the other broadcast networks after the strike.
“Additionally, it worked hard to get its development back up to speed, and had well-edited presentations for all of its new programs (not to mention completed pilots, a premium during this year’s upfront),” the report added.
Before getting to the programming presentation, buyers sat through presentations highlighting other CBS Corp. assets not usually mentioned in upfront week, including out-of-home, radio (with Adam Carolla) and syndication (with Rachael Ray). CBS also played up its digital assets, without letting on that it was on the brink of acquiring CNET, which was announced Thursday morning.
Buyers also managed to avoid reflexively heading to Tavern on the Green, where CBS has traditionally held its post-upfront party.
— Jon Lafayette
Del.icio.us 
Digg 
Fark 
StumbleUpon 