CAB announces cable’s upfront reaches $9.3 Billion

National cable network took in a record $9.3 billion during the recently completed upfront sales market ahead of the 2011-12 TV season, according to the Cabletelevision Advertising Bureau (CAB).That total represents a 16% rise from the $8 billion medium garnered during the 2010-11 upfront selling season. While cable’s year-ago upfront success achieved ad dollar parity with the broadcast networks, CAB said the industry’s $9.3 billion total eclipsed the broadcast nets and drove the overall upfront market to highest-ever spending by U.S. advertisers.It is estimated that CBS, Fox, ABC, NBC and The CW collectively pulled in an estimated $9.1 billion during the 2011-12 upfront.