MyNetworkTV, under the direction of new president Greg Meidel, will forgo elaborate presentations for the upfronts in lieu of roadshow-style meetings with individual advertising agencies.
"We decided that this year it was more important for us to take the unconventional path that outlets such as USA and AOL are taking and go with a more personalized one-on-one presentation," said Mr. Meidel. "This is an opportunity for us to get in front of key clients in a conversational way and show them how successful we have been with our programming changes."
Mr. Meidel and Bob Cesa, executive VP of advertising sales for Twentieth Television, noted that since it pulled out of the scripted-telenovela format, the infant channel had seen rating upticks with unscripted fare and movies. They noted MyNet now is in discussions with producers including Mark Burnett, John Langley and Bruce Nash for new series for the network's fall schedule.
"One of the things that is obviously advantageous about meeting with agencies in this manner is that there is more opportunity for questions and answers," said Mr. Cesa. "In addition, we can customize our presentation to meet the needs of their particular client list. Plus it's just more convenient. I've done presentations both ways, and I believe that for us the personalized approach works better."
Mr. Meidel noted the programming move to replace Tuesday airings of the telenovelas during the May sweep would become permanent, adding that the network will allow the two current series to run their course on Wednesdays.
"We will be in the reality business on Tuesday nights beginning June 5, where we hope to capitalize on our ratings and demo gains with some terrific new programming on that night," he said.
Mr. Meidel noted the programming move to replace Tuesday airings of the telenovelas during the May sweep would become permanent, adding that the network will allow the two current series to run their course on Wednesdays.
"We will be in the reality business on Tuesday nights beginning June 5, where we hope to capitalize on our ratings and demo gains with some terrific new programming on that night," he said.
I wonder if MNT will roll out an actual reality series on June 5 or simply continue to air specials such as "America's Trashiest Weddings" that would make even Fox blush?
At least by airing "American Heiress" and "Saints & Sinners" on Wednesdays, both series should give MNT original episodes thru the entire 2007-08 season - if MNT allows the two to run thru their 65 episode order.
On a side note, I caught some of an "Heiress" episode last week and the mother-daughter hair-pulling, brothers-wrestling scene made the infamous Krystal-Alexis pond cat fight scene from "Dynasty" look like Shakespeare.
"In the weeks of NBC's most dire numbers, we began to hit our stride with season highs."
No, perhaps that's a tad negative.
"We're fighting to be your network tv."
A little plug for IFL Battleground, which continues to sap away M18-34 from the established networks on Monday.
"You think Tuesdays in May were special, well, you ain't seen nothing yet."
I get the feeling that the trashiest weddings, search for new Hooter girls, and bikini beauty pageants are early inklings of what's in store.
"The most improved network of the 2006-07 season."
There, that's it. I always remember as a youth how important "most improved" awards were when the trophy hardware was not forthcoming. FOX will win the network derby, and the Mr. Meidel MyTV turnaround story surely is the "most improved" story of the season.
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Originally posted by ThatsMyMama: Of course they're not going to have an upfront presentation. I mean, what would MNTV possibly say?
All merriment aside, I actually was crestfallen with the news of a "one-on-one" MyNetworkTV upfront presentation (which I posted on a separate string) as I was looking forward to a big party with lots of media buyers, cognoscenti and network hangers-on...I had hoped to sneak in with the waiters, and watch the upfront from the roomback, but now it is not to be.
Is there anyone out there in pifeedbackland who is lucky enough to have a one-on-one with Mr. Meidel or his sales team? I do hope reports filter out about the MyNetworkTV upfront plans and reactions to the ubiquitous demo reels.
Originally posted by dumont demo: All merriment aside, I actually was crestfallen with the news of a "one-on-one" MyNetworkTV upfront presentation (which I posted on a separate string) as I was looking forward to a big party with lots of media buyers, cognoscenti and network hangers-on...I had hoped to sneak in with the waiters, and watch the upfront from the roomback, but now it is not to be.
Is there anyone out there in pifeedbackland who is lucky enough to have a one-on-one with Mr. Meidel or his sales team? I do hope reports filter out about the MyNetworkTV upfront plans and reactions to the ubiquitous demo reels.
After seeing those ads for "America's Trashiest Weddings" and "Twins in Bikinis" promos during last nights telenovellas, I think you are absolutely right mushu_jj.
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Originally posted by mushu_jj: MyNetworkTV: 80s Fox all over again!
quote:
Originally posted by dumont demo: All merriment aside, I actually was crestfallen with the news of a "one-on-one" MyNetworkTV upfront presentation (which I posted on a separate string) as I was looking forward to a big party with lots of media buyers, cognoscenti and network hangers-on...I had hoped to sneak in with the waiters, and watch the upfront from the roomback, but now it is not to be.
Is there anyone out there in pifeedbackland who is lucky enough to have a one-on-one with Mr. Meidel or his sales team? I do hope reports filter out about the MyNetworkTV upfront plans and reactions to the ubiquitous demo reels.
