Fox Closes Upfront Ad Sales Down in Pricing and Revenue

Broadcast net sees moderate declines due to lowered ratings; parent Fox Networks Group has flat revenue, slight price increases

Empire

Fox has essentially concluded its upfront ad sales negotiations, with the broadcast net seeing dips in both pricing and revenue, a person familiar with the matter told TheWrap.

Dollar volume dropped low-to-mid single digits, as Fox’s fallen ratings have led to a concession of sorts in CPM pricing.

Meanwhile, the broader Fox Networks Group (FNG) received flat revenue across the portfolio year-over-year, and even experienced some pricing increases. Overall, the group also experienced progress shifting towards C7 and furthered sales for VOD, online video and mobile.

C7 ratings are the average commercial minute ratings plus seven day of time-shifted viewing. CPM refers to the cost-per-thousand viewers in ad sales-speak.

“Empire,” “Scream Queens,” “Grandfathered,” “American Horror Story,” “The Americans,” the NFL, MLB Playoffs and the World Series were the properties particularly in demand overall, the person said.

Fox Networks Group refers to the combination of Fox Broadcasting Company, Fox Sports, FX, FXX, National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo, among others.

In October 2014, FNG reorganized its Ad Sales organization, consolidating sales groups for all entertainment, sports and their non-linear extensions into one team. Fox News Channel remains separate, however.

On Monday, CBS claimed the most ad dollars and highest pricing — again — as the broadcast channel closed its own upfront ad sales.

Dollar volume is projected to be down in the high-single digits this upfront market.

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