2022 Upfront

In 2022, NBCUniversal's first in-person Upfront in three years was a monumental occasion. It showcased the breadth of NBCUniversal’s portfolio and served as a platform to highlight key tentpoles and upcoming events.
Many NBC stars took the stage, with Kelly Clarkson starting things off with a rendition of "Queen of the Night." NBC late-night host Jimmy Fallon introduced guests before appearances by Pete Davidson, Will Packard, and various other show stars, including the cast of Law and Order. Andy Cohen presented a performance highlighting "Bravocon" and the network's popular shows such as "Top Chef," "Vanderpump Rules," "Below Deck," "Southern Charm," "Million Dollar Listing," "Project Runway," and "Real Housewives," with stars from each franchise making appearances. Miley Cyrus closed out the show with performances of "Wrecking Ball" and her rendition of Madonna's "Like a Prayer."
The 2022 Upfront's impact resonated across the media and technology landscape, making it the most financially successful Upfront since Comcast acquired NBCUniversal in 2011. This achievement, coupled with developing new content, technology, and partnerships, solidified NBCUniversal's position as a pivotal player in shaping the future of entertainment and media.
The event saw significant sales growth in various categories: Retail, QSR, CPG, Technology, Social, and Streaming. The pharmaceutical industry experienced a nearly 40% increase in spending with NBCU, while travel experienced a 30% increase. Digital and streaming were clear crowd favorites, with almost 20% year-over-year growth in spending. Peacock made waves by doubling its Upfront commitments to over $1 billion.
NBCUniversal also set records with investments in advanced advertising across our platform, exceeding 30% growth in revenue. NBCU's forward-thinking approach is charging forward in shaping the future of advertising measurement, with more than 40% of Upfront business conducted outside traditional age and gender guarantees. The Upfront further revealed substantial growth in broadcast entertainment, the NFL, and multicultural segments. The Hispanic rights to the 2022 FIFA World Cup proved a game-changer, generating incremental revenue and demonstrating the profound impact of culturally significant content.