The CW (1 Viewer)

[Krangelus]

big news in america. The WB & UPN joined forces to create a new television network.

available a line-up of some of the most popular programming that appeals to young adults in the media business. These programming assets range from hit reality series such as "America's Next Top Model" and The WB's "Beauty and the Geek," to hit dramas like The WB's "Smallville," "Gilmore Girls," "Supernatural," and UPN's "Veronica Mars" as well as UPN's hit comedies "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Girlfriends" and The WB's hit comedy "Reba." In addition the WWE's "Smackdown," which has been a mainstay at UPN, is expected to play a role in the schedule.

 

[routemarker]

UPN and The WB AXED, new network "The CW" launched

NEW YORK - CBS Corp. and Time Warner Inc.’s Warner Bros. said Tuesday they will close their respective UPN and WB networks, and jointly launch a new channel in fall 2006.

The new CW network will be a 50-50 joint venture of the two companies.

The companies expect the station to reach 95 percent of the country.

Tribune Co. said its 16 UPN broadcast stations signed 10-year affiliate agreements with the new network. Similarly, CBS said its 12 UPN stations signed 10-year affiliate deals.

The two station groups reach 48 percent of the country. The companies expect the remainder of the affiliates to come from a combination of WB and UPN stations.

The CW will use The WB’s current scheduling model, which consists of Monday through Friday nights from 8-10 p.m. ET; Sundays from 7-10 p.m. ET; Sunday from 5-7 p.m. ET outside of primetime. It will also include a Monday through Friday afternoon block from 3-5 p.m. ET and a 5-hour Saturday morning animation block.

The surprise news of the merger comes as the WB Network has faced pressure to perform and prove itself as a strategic asset at a time when its parent company Time Warner is under intense scrutiny on Wall Street and from maverick investor Carl Icahn.

Time Warner has struggled with the WB’s financials since the network was launched in January 1995 because of its lack of TV station holdings, which are the primary revenue drivers for broadcast networks.

Sources told the Hollywood Reporter that UPN president Dawn Ostroff will oversee the combined venture, and that WB Network chairman Garth Ancier and WB entertainment president David Janollari would depart their posts.

Time Warner president and chief operating officer Jeff Bewkes said at a recent investor conference that the WB has done only “medium,” had a slight loss in 2005 and needs more hits and better affiliate relationships. He also signaled that management would focus on addressing these issues in 2006.

Well its certainly an interesting move. Hopefully by joining forces instead of fighting each other for 5th place. All these shows should now become much more successful

 

[persephone]

I was just reading about this. This will be interesting. Although it would be weird to hear CBS Warner (which I read somewhere is what CW stands for). Imagine all the new promos all these people trying to spit out CBS Warner or CW (which doesn't have the same ring to it as the WB but hey...)

 

[persephone]

The CW

THE CW's 2006-2007 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

SUNDAY
7:00-7:30 PM EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS
7:30-8:00 PM ALL OF US
8:00-8:30 PM GIRLFRIENDS
8:30-9:00 PM THE GAME (New Series)
9:00-10:00 PM AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL (Encore Presentation)


MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM 7TH HEAVEN
9:00-10:00 PM RUNAWAY (New Series)


TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GILMORE GIRLS
9:00-10:00 PM VERONICA MARS


WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL
9:00-10:00 PM ONE TREE HILL


THURSDAY
8:00-9:00 PM SMALLVILLE
9:00-10:00 PM SUPERNATURAL


FRIDAY
8:00-10:00 PM FRIDAY NIGHT SMACKDOWN!

 

[persephone]

The CW vid

Has bits from all the shows on the CW. Smallville, Supernatural, Veronica Mars, One Tree Hill, etc. Really good music vid, montage thing.

 

[persephone]

Pics of Tom Welling, Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki, Erica Durance and Michael Rosenbaum at the CW upfronts.

 

[Annegelic]

wow.. michael rosenbaum looks different with hair..

 

[persephone]

2 pics from The CW Summer TCA Party




Ausiello's report of the CW press day here.