Disney previews slate at May 13 Upfront

The Walt Disney Company used its 2026 Upfront presentation in New York on May 12 to show advertisers what is coming next across its television, streaming, sports and film businesses. Disney said the event at the North Javits Center featured appearances tied to ABC, Disney+, Hulu, FX, ESPN and the studios, with chief executive Josh D’Amaro making his first Upfront presentation in the top job. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) ABC7 New York reported the company framed the event as a preview of upcoming TV shows, streaming releases and other programming. Disney said more than 100 stars appeared on stage, with another 100-plus talent appearances supporting the presentation. (abc7ny.com) People’s backstage coverage, carried by AOL, showed Angela Bassett, Lindsay Lohan, Quinta Brunson and other Disney-linked talent at the event, while Disney’s own recap named Ewan McGregor among the participants and said Jimmy Kimmel helped close the show. ### Why did Disney use the Upfront to bundle sports, streaming and studios together? Josh D’Amaro opened the presentation as Disney’s new chief executive, and Disney used the event to present its businesses as a single advertising package spanning live sports, entertainment and streaming. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) Rita Ferro, Disney’s president of global advertising, said before the event that the company’s pitch to marketers rests on the combination of content, franchises, data and technology across the portfolio. Dana Walden’s reorganization in March combined Disney’s streaming, film, television and games businesses under a broader Disney Entertainment structure. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) Disney said Walden, as president and chief creative officer, now oversees a setup intended to connect those businesses more closely under D’Amaro. ### Which announcements stood out from the stage? ABC7 New York reported that one of the biggest announcements was a new home for the Grammy Awards. The 2027 Grammys will air live on ABC from Los Angeles on Feb. 7, 2027, and will also stream on Disney+ and Hulu, according to ABC7 and Disney. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) The Country Music Association also extended its agreement with Disney through 2032, ABC7 reported. Under that deal, the CMA Awards will stream live on Disney+ for the first time alongside their ABC broadcast, beginning with the 60th annual ceremony on Nov. 18, 2026. (investors.thewaltdisneycompany.com) ### What did ESPN bring to an advertising event like this? ESPN used the Disney presentation to reveal pieces of its 2026 college football schedule. ESPN said the Upfront presentation included early-season matchups such as Ohio State at Texas and LSU at Ole Miss, along with Week 0 games in Ireland, Brazil and Atlanta. (abc7ny.com) ABC7’s live coverage also highlighted Disney’s use of ESPN football commentators during the event. That fit Disney’s broader effort to present live sports as a central part of its advertising business, alongside scripted shows and streaming franchises. (abc7ny.com) ### Who showed up to sell the slate? Disney said Anne Hathaway introduced D’Amaro, and the company’s recap listed participants including Robert Downey Jr., Lindsay Lohan, Shaquille O’Neal, Ewan McGregor, Olivia Colman and Quinta Brunson. Disney said the presentation ended with a performance by Olivia Rodrigo after an introduction from Jimmy Kimmel and his daughter Jane. (espnpressroom.com) People’s backstage coverage, published through AOL, added Angela Bassett to the list of stars at the event. UPI separately reported that Lindsay Lohan, Kit Harington and Shailene Woodley were on hand to promote “Count My Lies,” one of the projects Disney used to market its upcoming slate. (abc7ny.com) ### What comes next after the Upfront presentation? Nov. 18, 2026, is the next major date Disney attached to the presentation, when the CMA Awards are scheduled to stream live on Disney+ for the first time while also airing on ABC. Feb. 7, 2027, follows as the date of the first Grammy Awards telecast under Disney’s new 10-year deal, with the show set for ABC, Hulu and Disney+. (thewaltdisneycompany.com) (abc7ny.com) (aol.com)