Warner Bros. Discovery's First Upfront Event Commanded "R-e-s-p-e-c-t"

The Big Message: With so many iconic linear channels, brands and franchises under one umbrella, Warner Bros. Discovery already has global dominance in premium entertainment, news, sports and lifestyle content. With mega streaming services HBO Max and discovery+ now in the same fold, advertiser options to impact any audience demographic will soar. "We're here and we couldn't be happier," said WBD President and Chief Executive Officer David Zaslav (pictured at top). "We're excited to grow these [properties] creatively and financially."

Host: Academy Award-winning singer/actress Jennifer Hudson, whose new daytime talk-variety hour will be syndicated this fall through Warner Bros. After offering a monologue on the power of creating cultural milestones through powerful storytelling, Hudson demonstrated her new gift for daytime gab with a lively interview with HGTV personality Jonathan Scott [Property Brothers] and rapper Lil Jon, star of the upcoming HGTV series Lil Jon Wants to Do What?For the finale, Hudson belted out her rendition of the Aretha Franklin classic Respect -- and at one point, led the audience in a sing-along. She's a lead candidate for best celebrity Upfront/NewFront host of 2022.

What Worked: A polished all-around presentation that organically mixed together executive remarks, celebrity appearances and video segments, helped by outstanding, not outlandish, set and lighting effects.

What Also Worked: TNT NBA wraparound co-host Shaquille O'Neal having the time of his life alongside TBS baseball analyst Pedro Martinez and hockey legend Wayne Gretsky. A crowd-pleasing segment all the way.

What Didn't Work: Not one segment devoted to what's coming in kids/family programming from Cartoon Network, Boomerang and Warner Bros. Animation. Just as surprising, hugely popular linear network TLC didn't make the cut of services deserving of a segment.

Bonus Points: Keeping one element of previous Warner Media morning Upfront events at MSG in place: serving coffee, tea, croissants and other breakfast treats to attendees during the hour before showtime.

Data Points: Warner Bros. Discovery programming reaches more than 230 million people worldwide every month. About 80 percent of people watching HBO Max and discovery+ do so on smart TV sets and devices; half of those viewers are cord-cutters. Over the last two months, Warner Bros. Discovery's cable networks have averaged 24.4 percent of nightly primetime viewing.

News: For now, HBO Max and discovery+ will maintain their per-hour advertising loads (2-3 minutes on HBO Max, 4-5 minutes on discovery+). Look for both services to launch a number of interactive and commerce advertising elements in the near future, according to JB Perrette, President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Streaming and Interactive. On the content front, CNN will launch a new Sunday night lineup this fall, which will include the second season of former CNN+ series Who's Talking with Chris Wallace?, a new newsmagazine hour and more documentary miniseries and specials. The network also is developing a new weekday multi-hour morning news program. For HBO Max, Sex Lives of College Girls creator Mindy Kaling will put together Velma, a new animated adventure series featuring the popular Scooby-Doo character. Also, Lizzo will participate in a documentary special or miniseries running on HBO and HBO Max.

Parting Words: "We at CNN are out to advocate for journalism first -- more information, less yelling and conflict." -- David Zaslav, Warner Bros. Discovery President and Chief Executive Officer

"Our story starts with you, with iconic brands and endless opportunities. We don't have to sacrifice highly rated shows from our linear networks." -- Jon Steinlauf (pictured above, far left), Chief U.S. Advertising Sales Officer

"We have something compelling for every member of the family. A must-have for every consumer." -- JB Perrette, Warner Bros. Discovery President and Chief Executive Officer, Global Streaming and Interactive

"The next chapter of CNN is one where we aspire to be a beacon of democracy … where we hold leaders on both sides of the aisle to account." -- Chris Licht, CNN's new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

"Are you not entertained?" -- Shaquille O'Neal

"All killer, no filler. We got this." -- Food Network host/producer Guy Fieri

"My Velma is South Asian, and if people freak out about that, I don't care!" -- Mindy Kaling

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