CBS is largely finished with its upfront sales for the 2013-14 television season, reports The New York Times. The network’s progress is surprising because of reports that the market for upfront advertising sales has turned sluggish or even reached an impasse, the story notes.

CBS is receiving rate increases of about 7.5%, slightly lower than last year’s 8% to 9%, the piece reports, noting that analysts had expected rate bumps to be lower this year. In total volume, CBS is expected to sell between $2.5 billion to $2.6 billion in commercial time, the report adds.