Seth Meyers brings a little late-night anxiety to NBC upfront

Seth Meyers brought a little late-night anxiety to NBCUniversal’s 2026 upfront presentation on May 11, using the advertiser showcase to joke about the pressure facing broadcast TV.

Coverage from Business Insider and The Daily Beast said Meyers roasted CBS, Paramount and the broader state of the industry during the presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York.

What Meyers joked about

According to the reports, Meyers took aim at FCC scrutiny of broadcast television and at the turmoil surrounding CBS and Paramount. The jokes also referenced Paramount’s $16 million settlement with Donald Trump over the “60 Minutes” lawsuit.

The setting made the routine notable: an advertiser presentation is usually a polished network sales pitch, not a place for pointed industry commentary.

The backdrop

NBCUniversal had already announced in advance that its 2026 upfront would return to Radio City Music Hall on May 11. The company framed the event as part of its centennial celebration and an advertiser-focused showcase.

The Meyers set landed in the middle of a moment when broadcast TV is under heightened scrutiny, including an FCC investigation into ABC’s The View over equal-time concerns.

Why it mattered

Meyers’ appearance turned a standard upfront into a reminder that late-night comedy is still closely tied to the business and regulatory pressures shaping television.

The reports reviewed do not include a full transcript of the set, but they consistently describe the same themes: FCC pressure, CBS, Paramount and the uneasy state of broadcast TV.