Disney highlights 100+ stars at 2026 Upfront

Disney used its 2026 Upfront presentation in New York on May 12 to pitch advertisers on the breadth of its television, streaming, sports and film pipeline. Josh D'Amaro, appearing in his first Upfront as chief executive of The Walt Disney Company, took the stage after an introduction from Anne Hathaway, according to Disney and ABC7 live coverage. Disney said the event at the North Javits Center featured more than 100 on-stage stars and another 100-plus talent appearances across the show. ABC7's live updates said the presentation also included announcements tied to ABC, Hulu, FX, Disney+ and ESPN. ### Why did this Upfront matter inside Disney? Josh D'Amaro's appearance marked Disney's first Upfront under its current leadership era, a point Disney had flagged ahead of the event. In a May 11 interview published by the company, Rita Ferro, Disney's president of global advertising, said this year's presentation would reflect "the power of Disney operating as one company" under D'Amaro and Dana Walden. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) Disney's own recap described the show as a cross-company pitch spanning entertainment, sports, streaming, movies and technology. That framing matched the purpose of the annual Upfront market, where media companies present programming and ad products to marketers ahead of the next TV season. ### Who actually showed up onstage? Disney said more than 100 on-stage stars appeared during the presentation, with another 100-plus talent moments supporting the event. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) The company's recap named Robert Downey Jr., Anne Hathaway, Lindsay Lohan, Shaquille O'Neal, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Colman and Quinta Brunson among those featured. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) Angela Bassett was also part of the event's talent lineup. Disney's recap said Bassett joined Sarah Paulson, Evan Peters, Gabourey Sidibe, Billie Lourd and Emma Roberts in a segment tied to FX's "American Horror Story," where the group revealed that Paul Anthony Kelly would join the show's 13th installment. Olivia Rodrigo closed the show with a surprise performance, Disney said. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) ABC7 reported that Jimmy Kimmel introduced Rodrigo to the stage and that she performed several songs before bringing Kimmel's daughter Jane onstage at the end. ### What programming and rights news did Disney use to sell advertisers? ABC7 reported that one of the clearest announcements was the 2027 Grammy Awards moving to ABC, with the ceremony also set to stream on Disney+ and Hulu. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) The telecast is scheduled for Sunday, February 7, 2027, from Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, with nominations due on November 16, 2026, according to the live updates. The same live coverage said Disney and the Country Music Association extended their agreement through 2032 for the CMA Awards, "CMA Fest" and "CMA Country Christmas." ABC7 reported that the 60th Annual CMA Awards on November 18, 2026 will stream live on Disney+ for the first time alongside its ABC broadcast. (abc7.com) Disney's recap also pointed advertisers to a 2027 calendar that includes the College Football Playoff National Championship, the Grammys, Super Bowl LXI and the Oscars, with New Year's Rockin' Eve opening the year. The company presented those events as part of its live programming pitch to brands. ### What did Disney say advertisers were buying? (abc7.com) Rita Ferro said in Disney's pre-Upfront interview that the company was selling a combination of storytelling, sports, technology and platforms rather than a single network or service. She said Disney was continuing to invest in AI-powered advertising tools and in its global streaming footprint to give advertisers more "precision, scale, and flexibility." (thewaltdisneycompany.com) Disney's post-event recap used similar language, saying its portfolio combined content, data and technology across ad-supported streaming and live events. Those statements came from Disney and describe the company's sales message to Madison Avenue, not an outside assessment of the event. ### Where can viewers and advertisers track what comes next? (thewaltdisneycompany.com) ABC7 and other Disney-owned stations published live updates from the North Javits Center during the presentation on May 12. Disney also posted a recap on its corporate news site and kept a dedicated Upfront page through Disney Advertising. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) The next dated markers from the presentation are February 7, 2027 for the Grammys on ABC, Disney+ and Hulu, and November 18, 2026 for the CMA Awards' first live Disney+ stream. Disney's investor calendar also lists the company for the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference on May 14, 2026. (abc7.com)