Full Breakdown
Seth Meyers’ Upfront Monologue Highlights NBC’s Lead and Targets CBS, Paramount and Trump
5/12/2026, 2:09:51 AM
Core Event: Meyers Closes NBCUniversal Upfront with a Political Roast
On Monday morning at Radio City Music Hall, NBCUniversal’s annual upfront concluded with a ten-minute monologue by “Late Night with Seth Meyers” host Seth Meyers. He announced NBC’s top-ranked broadcast status for the 2025-2026 season, noted the network’s 100-year anniversary, and delivered jokes targeting rival CBS, its owner Paramount Skydance, and former President Donald Trump.
Background & Context: Ratings Lead, Legal Settlement, and Merger Plans
NBC’s #1 rating follows CBS’s $16 million settlement with Trump over a “60 Minutes” lawsuit and Paramount Skydance’s bid to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, which would merge Paramount+ with HBO Max. The pending merger places Larry and David Ellison, backers of Paramount Skydance, at the center of a media group with noted ties to the Trump administration.
Data & Statistics
NBC ranked #1 broadcast network for 2025-2026 (The Hollywood Reporter). “Sunday Night Football” averaged 23.5 million viewers. Paramount+ has about 80 million subscribers; Peacock 46 million U.S. subscribers. NBC marked its 100th anniversary in 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
NBC cited Nielsen data confirming its top-ranked status and the 23.5 million average viewership of “Sunday Night Football.” Paramount disclosed the $16 million Trump settlement and its plan to merge Paramount+ with HBO Max after the Warner Bros. Discovery acquisition. Comcast confirmed a competing bid for the same assets. Peacock’s earnings call described the service as “approaching profitability.”
Criticism & Opposition
Meyers portrayed CBS and Paramount Skydance as “in the pocket for Trump,” implying political influence over shows such as moving “Survivor” to the Strait of Hormuz. The jokes echo broader concerns about media alignment with partisan interests.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the reported value of the Taylor Sheridan acquisition: Variety cites a $1 million deal, while Deadline reports a $1 billion figure. No additional verification is provided.
Verbatim Quotes
- “CBS did not hold an upfront presentation this year because at CBS, upfront just describes how they paid Trump to drop the lawsuit,” — Seth Meyers
- “Paramount Skydance has announced that it plans to merge its Paramount+ streaming service with HBO Max. So now you’ll get all your favorites in one place. Plus Paramount+!” — Seth Meyers
- “NBC is turning 100 years old this year. Which means right now, it’s watching CBS.” — Seth Meyers
- “I’m Seth Meyers, or as the FCC calls me: ‘Next.’” — Seth Meyers
Why It Matters / Impact
The monologue highlights NBC’s ratings lead while underscoring the strategic importance of the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger and concerns about political influence on rival networks. The outcome could reshape streaming competition and invite regulatory scrutiny.
What’s Next
Regulators will review the Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery transaction; Comcast may submit further bids. Peacock targets profitability before year-end, and NBC plans new “Sunday Night Football” enhancements and promotes upcoming Peacock series such as the live-action “Fast & Furious” franchise.
