NBC wraps up upfront with healthy gains

Last season’s No. 1 network among adults 18-49 has wrapped up its upfront negotiations with healthy increases over last year.

NBC, which last year did not close its upfront sales until nearly August after holding out for bigger CPM gains, averaged CPM bumps of between 7.5 and 8 percent, according to sources close to the negotiations.

That was about the same as last year, when the network earned increases of 7 to 8 percent. And it may be the only network to hang on to similar gains to 2013, based on upfront results so far.

NBC also moved more volume than last year, reflecting the higher demand for its content, including No. 1 reality show “The Voice” and top new broadcast program “The Blacklist.”

Sources say NBC sold $2.5 billion, up 11 percent from $2.25 billion last year. That includes sports, primetime and late-night sales. Removing sports from the deals, NBC saw a 15 percent increase over last year.

This year NBCUniversal once again sold across broadcast, cable and digital, and in total took in $6 billion across all three media.

NBC may end up leading in CPM gains. CBS, which tied NBC for the biggest gains last year, is near the end of its negotiations but buyers say it’s having some trouble moving its high-priced new “Thursday Night Football” packages.

ABC wrapped up its upfront more than a week ago, seeing smaller gains than last year, around 4 and 5 percent.

Fox remains in negotiations, while the CW reportedly is almost done, with both volume sold and CPM gains down from last year. (Updated Wednesday afternoon: Fox has closed out upfront sales; see story here.)

Tags: nbc, media economy, upfront, broadcast upfront, nbc upfront, 2014 upfront