Long before ABC’s Upfront presentation got underway at around 3:45 PM on Tuesday, May 17, when invited guests began scuttling into the Avery Fisher Hall, the National Broadcasting Company (NBC) looked to take attention off of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) by promoting its new fall programming with a rotation of more than a dozen Grayline and CitySearch NYC buses that were filled with wide open spaces or a lack of passengers in this case. While the seats may have been empty, no one could miss the colorful brand making its presence known while its competitor seeks a piece of the $9.2 billion pie during a crucial television season that lies ahead for the Disney/ABC Television Group. Insert the NBC peacock now featured on billboards in newly stylized glossy graphics.

On Tuesday, May 17, fans of ABC’s recently canceled “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” protested outside of the Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center in New York City as the ABC Television Network presented its 2011-2012 broadcast television schedule to its owned & operated stations, affiliates, advertising partners, and the dozens of press outlets gobbling up everything said during the networks upfront presentation. Joining protesting fans were Colleen Zenk (ex-Barbara Ryan, “As The World Turns”), Mimi Torchin (founding Editor in Chief of Soap Opera Weekly), and “One Life to Live’s” Ilene Kristen (Roxy Balsom). Also making their presence known was the Broadcast Television Union NABET CWA Local 16.