Upfront/NewFront Report: Disney's Tech + Data Showcase

With the coronavirus pandemic forcing all Upfront and NewFront event players into virtual showcase mode last year, The Walt Disney Company's TV empire opted to stage a set of presentations, spread out over three months, instead of just one splashy mid-May affair. A virtual hour from Disney Advertising Sales, devoted to behind-the-scenes technology innovations in data, automation and audience measurement, opened that set. Fast-forward to March 3, 2022, and ad tech was again the opening subject of a multi-event Disney Upfront cycle. Advertisers and agencies are likely to give the information offered more consideration in the wake of Disney+ announcing -- the morning after this event -- an ad-supported version of their mega-content service this fall, with a lower monthly price to subscribers than the ad-free offering. Details on the launch date, ad load and pricing are yet to be released.