Upfront predictions exaggerated?

June 01, 2008 If the early pricing ABC reportedly received from two major buying agencies holds, it means the broadcast networks might get the upper hand during this year's upfront negotiations. Sources said Friday that ABC got average increases of 8%-10% for primetime inventory thanks to early deals with buying agencies Starcom and Zenith Media. Some buyers were concerned because, if true, the deals would end up raising prices in a marketplace that as late as last week had been considered downbeat because of last season's ratings woes and the poor economy.

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