Trending Now - Paramount Showcases Star Power and New Ventures in NYC Event
WHO:
Deadline - David Ellison described the event as "our first upfront as the new Paramount."
The Hollywood Reporter - Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser made appearances at the event.
Deadline - David Ellison, CEO of Paramount
The Hollywood Reporter - Cindy Holland, Chief of Direct-to-Consumer at Paramount
The Hollywood Reporter - Ronny Chieng, comedian from The Daily Show
The Hollywood Reporter - Wyclef Jean, musical performer
The Hollywood Reporter - Taylor Sheridan, producer with a deal at Paramount through the end of 2028
WHAT:
Deadline - The upfront event included drinks, dinner, and conversation about advertising opportunities and the upcoming slate.
The Hollywood Reporter - David Ellison stated, "I came into this business my early 20s because I absolutely love storytelling, and that passion drives me today."
The Hollywood Reporter - Ellison emphasized, "Our goal is to build a leading media and entertainment company that strengthens competition, better serves the creative community, and delivers even more compelling stories to audiences around the world."
Deadline - Paramount held an upfront event in New York City with ad agency Omnicom to discuss advertising opportunities and upcoming content.
The Hollywood Reporter - David Ellison stated that Paramount plans to release at least 30 movies a year once its deal with Warner Bros. Discovery is completed.
The Hollywood Reporter - Paramount's upfront presentation included clips from upcoming shows and performances from stars, with a focus on conversation rather than spectacle.
The Hollywood Reporter - 65% of the consumption on Pluto TV is from the Paramount library.
WHERE:
Deadline - The event took place in New York City.
The Hollywood Reporter - The upfront presentation was held in an intimate space in Chelsea, New York City.
WHEN:
Deadline - The event occurred on Tuesday, April 19th, 2026.
The Hollywood Reporter - David Ellison was in Las Vegas for Cinema Con a week prior to the New York event.
WHY:
The Hollywood Reporter - Ellison emphasized the need to compete for audience attention and the importance of aligning storytelling with marketing to create a powerful experience.
HOW:
The Hollywood Reporter - Paramount is holding smaller presentations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, each customized to the audience in attendance.
The Hollywood Reporter - Chief revenue officer Jay Askinasi mentioned that the company is in the middle of a convergence process on its direct-to-consumer platforms for a more unified approach.
The Hollywood Reporter - Paramount is opting for smaller, customized presentations in various cities instead of large-scale events.
The Hollywood Reporter - The company is undergoing a convergence process on its direct-to-consumer platforms to improve consumer experience and unify identity.
(UPDATED April 22, 2026 19:27 UTC)
At an upfront event described as "our first upfront as the new Paramount," David Ellison highlighted the company's vision for storytelling and competition while Kelly Reilly and Cole Hauser made special appearances. The event featured drinks, dinner, and discussions about advertising opportunities and the upcoming slate, with Ellison expressing his passion for storytelling and the goal of building a leading media and entertainment company. Paramount is also holding smaller, customized presentations in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York, as Chief Revenue Officer Jay Askinasi noted that the company is working on a convergence process for its direct-to-consumer platforms.
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(UPDATED April 22, 2026 17:25 UTC)
Paramount held an upfront event in New York City on Tuesday, on Sunday, where CEO David Ellison announced plans to release at least 30 movies a year following the completion of their deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. The presentation, which took place in an intimate Chelsea venue, featured clips from upcoming shows and performances by stars, emphasizing a conversational approach over spectacle. Ellison highlighted the importance of aligning storytelling with marketing to capture audience attention, as Paramount continues to refine its direct-to-consumer platforms and shift towards smaller, customized presentations in various cities.