Backseat @ The Upfronts: A Fork in the Media Universe

The Fork in the Media Universe: Evan recently wrote about a fork: one path toward the past, one toward the future. NBC and Fox are going in completely different directions. NBC feels like traditional television even on its streaming platform. Fox is doubling down on creators through Tubi, which is now profitable and its fastest-growing segment. 🔀

The Headliners Are Digital: In the 70th year of the upfronts, the headliners closing the week are Netflix and YouTube. Not the legacy networks. Evan finds that fascinating and sees it as a clear signal of where the industry is headed. 📺

Disney Goes Vertical: Disney's new CEO talked about how vertical engagement on Disney+ is outpacing expectations. That convergence, represented by Oprah showing up at Amazon's upfront for a podcast, signals a new pathway forward that's impossible to ignore. 📱

The Optimism Is Palpable: From Stream TV Europe to POSSIBLE to the upfronts, Evan says the energy in 2026 feels different. After years of what he calls group therapy at industry events, the optimism is real. There's a turning point, and more people across television are pointing toward true successes. ✨

Barbecue Chips and Broadway: Evan's go-to snack is almost always barbecue potato chips with an ice-cold classic Coca-Cola. His playlist is 1,000 songs deep spanning rock and roll, disco, rap, country, and a lot of Broadway. He's watching Shrinking, Hacks, and Your Friends and Neighbors. For Evan, Apple scores every time. 🎶