Upfronts 2026: enter the YouTube era at Brandcast May 13
Brands and creators present the future of media on YouTube at Lincoln Center
Apr 01, 2026 [[read-time]] minute read
On Wednesday, May 13 at 5:30pm ET, YouTube will return to Lincoln Center for Brandcast, our annual Upfront presentation and red carpet pre-show. YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, YouTube CBO Mary Ellen Coe, and Google President Sean Downey - alongside featured brands, top creators and artists - will demonstrate how YouTube is not only the #1 streamer in the U.S., but the future of media.
According to Nielsen, YouTube reached over 238 million people aged 18+ across all devices in the U.S. At Brandcast, we will lean into how brands can align themselves with creators and cultural moments to reach viewers while they stream, scroll, search and shop.
This year, Emmy Award-winning comedian Trevor Noah takes the stage as host. With 4.5 million YouTube subscribers and a career built on connecting with audiences across formats and continents, Noah is one of the world's great storytellers. His podcast, “What Now? with Trevor Noah,” brings together entertainers, CEOs, and cultural figures for in-depth conversations, while his feature-length stand-up special, “The LOST South African Show” - exclusive to YouTube and sponsored by Verizon — showcases the sharp, globe-spanning perspective that has made him a singular voice in comedy.
Brandcast will feature a powerhouse lineup of creators, including:
- Adam W (21 million subscribers): A comedy mogul who has parlayed his viral Shorts into a global brand with over 19 billion views - leading to successful partnerships with brands like Jimmy John’s
- Alex Cooper (2 million subscribers): Founder of Unwell and visionary host behind the most-listened-to podcast by women, “Call Her Daddy,” on YouTube
- Ashley Alexander (1.9 million subscribers): Founder and CEO of Nami Matcha, is the trendsetting lifestyle creator known amongst fans as “ur mom ashley”
- Dude Perfect (61.8 million subscribers): The legendary sports and trick-shot collective that has become a global household name with their popular YouTube competition series, “Squad Games”
- Jesser (38.5 million subscribers): A sports innovator known for high-octane collaborations with legendary athletes like Eli Manning
- Kareem Rahma (922K subscribers across channels): The mastermind whose hit YouTube series “Subway Takes” is reinventing the talk show format for a new generation
- Morgan Jay (2.8 million subscribers): A master of interactive comedy who transforms audience stories into hysterical one-of-a-kind musical hits
- Quenlin Blackwell (3.3 million subscribers): The charismatic host who is shaking up the celebrity interview with her breakout YouTube series, ”Feeding Starving Celebrities”
- The Savannah Bananas (2.5 million subscribers): The baseball trailblazers who have turned America's pastime into a must-see entertainment spectacle version of the game, "Banana Ball"
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Grammy-award winner and one of music’s most electrifying artists, Chappell Roan, will also take the stage as the headline performer. YouTube offered an early launchpad and discovery engine for her music, from her NPR Tiny Desk to Coachella performances. And her fan community took it to the next level through their own concert footage and dance tutorials to her iconic songs.
This Upfronts, YouTube stands alone as the future of media - going beyond traditional TV and short form, to offer advertisers the talent and solutions that deliver on all of their objectives. Welcome to the YouTube era.