The WB is No More!!

[RakuMon]

Seriously. This is HUGE news.
Smallville will be on the same network with Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris and Next Top Model. This can only lead to larger auds for SV.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm?cnn=yes

CW network to replace WB, UPN
CBS, Warner Bros. announce plans for new network to debut in September.
January 24, 2006: 11:41 AM EST


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Warner Brothers and CBS Corp. announced plans Tuesday for the creation of a new broadcast television network, called CW, that would replace the WB and UPN networks in the fall of this year.

The new broadcast network will draw on programming from both WB and UPN, and will be a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS (Research), with each company owning 50 percent, officials of both companies.

WB's 'Gilmore Girls' will be one of the shows on the new CW network, officials said.

"This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience," said Les Moonves, the chairman of CBS, in a statement.

Prime time programming will target the profitable 18-34 age group, officials of Warner and CBS said.

The new network will broadcast such UPN shows as "America's Next Top Model," "Veronica Mars" and "Everybody Hates Chris," as well as WB programs "Beauty and the Geek," "Smallville" and "Gilmore Girls."

Warner Brothers Entertainment is a division of Time Warner (Research), as is CNNMoney.com. Top of page

[NHawk19]

:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Wtf?

[Spaceballs]

WB had to ruin a good thing they had going for them this year didnt they :down

[Kaboom]

how does somehting like this happen with no hype?

[NHawk19]

who knows but I'm gonna miss the frog I kinda liked it.

Also have to wonder what else is going to survive the cut.

Thus far we have:

"America's Next Top Model,"
"Veronica Mars"
"Everybody Hates Chris,"
"Beauty and the Geek,"
"Smallville"
"Gilmore Girls."

missing are the WB Friday Line up, Supernatural, Everwood, etc.

[The Incredible Hulk]

how does somehting like this happen with no hype?

Non Disclosure Agreements.

[KingOfDreams]

strange

[Kaboom]

Non Disclosure Agreements.

liquidated damage clauses? or the whole black ball thing?

[The Incredible Hulk]

liquidated damage clauses? or the whole black ball thing?

:confused: An NDA just prevents you from talking about something with the public. Usually results in termination of the employee without pay.

A LDC is usually if you fail to perform your end of a business contract and they preset a monetary penalty in the contract.

This was actually the better of the two options, since neither Net was doing all too well, now they'll just take the strongest shows from each and use those. The other alternative wouldve been to sell off the WB shows to the highest bidder, meaning you couldve had Smallville on Fox, but that wouldve been bad unless it got a major increse in viewership b/c 5 and 1/4 million usually doesnt cut it on the major networks

[Kaboom]

hulk...what i meant was if you violate a non disclosure agreement, theres no real damage to the network...so clearly you would get fired. but what kind of damages could the network pursue? i highly doubt there would be any way to measure or prove compensatory or consequential damages. so i would think there would have to be some kind of liquidated damage clause in the agreement that the network could seek in the event a person went and disseminated the information.

which then leads me to the back balling...if someone gets fired for breaching the nda, is that something the other networks would look so down on, that the person would never get hired by another network.

without either of those two possibilities, it doesnt seem the NDA would have a whole lot of teeth.

[rumpuso]

A more in depth article can be found here...http://www.prnewswire.com/.

Of particular interest is the following paragraph:

As the top creative executive, Ostroff will have 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.

[Super_Ludacris]

I mean they've virtually got the same audiences.

Damn imagine Thursday nights.....Smallville followed by Smackdown lol

But did they say "High Quality programming"? From the WB and UPN? Gonna be very interesting to see what gets cut. You know some of UPN's stuff is going to BET lol

[Triligors]

What the heck will happen to SUPERNATURAL!!!

Whew, my question has been answered.

Only two shows on WB I watch is Supernatural & Smallville. So, thank god nothing happened to those two properties.

[Kane]

Damn. If this happened last year....Star Trek could have been saved.

[Kane]

What the heck will happen to SUPERNATURAL!!!

Cancelled hopefully.

[rumpuso]

With the two networks combining, I wonder if Smallville will be shuffled around the schedule again for next Fall, or if they'll retain the Thursday at 8:00 timeslot.

[Super_Ludacris]

I look foward to Friday nights on CW"

Tonight on Smackdown! Chloe Sullivan and Veronica Mars go head to head with the daughter-Mother combo of the Gilmore Girls in a "I quit- Hell in the Cell" match. Which team will annoy the other into submission. Special guest referee Trya Banks forehead

[Superhero Hype!]

Supernatural is part of the list;

http://www.comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12867

[AgentPat]

Daily Variety
1/24/06

WB, UPN merge
Moonves plans Sept. start for new net
By BLOOMBERG

The WB and UPN television broadcast networks, which have failed to improve their audience ratings, will merge to form the CW Television Network to lure younger viewers.

CBS, which owns UPN, and the WB, owned by Tribune Co. and Time Warner Inc., will start the new network in September, the companies said today in a statement. New York-based CBS and Time Warner will each own 50 percent of the CW network and operate it as a joint venture.

Combining the networks will boost prospects for profitability, CBS Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said at a press conference in New York. The WB, which posted a loss last year, has struggled with declining ratings. In the current television season, the WB is ranked sixth and UPN ranks eighth among U.S. viewers.

"The long range plans look far better with this entity and we will reach our financial goals," Moonves said.

Shares of Time Warner, the biggest media company, today rose 12 cents to $17.21 at 11:41 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Stock in CBS, formed when Sumner Redstone split Viacom Inc., rose 33 cents to $26.15.


Things just got a LOT more complicated.

One of the main reasons SV was so lucrative for Warners is because they owned it, lock, stock and barrel. Now they will have to SHARE profits split equally down the middle with CBS post September, 2006.

All bets are off, folks. We're in new territory now.

[Super_Ludacris]

With the two networks combining, I wonder if Smallville will be shuffled around the schedule again for next Fall, or if they'll retain the Thursday at 8:00 timeslot.

Thrusdays are the big tv times and Smallville is like the best show for both networks. Expect to have an even larger profile going into Season 6

I think UPN will lose more shows than WB

[The Incredible Hulk]

hulk...what i meant was if you violate a non disclosure agreement, theres no real damage to the network...so clearly you would get fired. but what kind of damages could the network pursue? i highly doubt there would be any way to measure or prove compensatory or consequential damages. so i would think there would have to be some kind of liquidated damage clause in the agreement that the network could seek in the event a person went and disseminated the information.

which then leads me to the back balling...if someone gets fired for breaching the nda, is that something the other networks would look so down on, that the person would never get hired by another network.

without either of those two possibilities, it doesnt seem the NDA would have a whole lot of teeth.

Sure there's damage to the Network. Any dissemination of their information beforehand could result in things like other companies trying to "get in on the action", driving up the price, etc. So technically they can get "injured".

From my experience you dont see LDC's attached to NDA's when you're talking about a compay's own employees. You usually see it where one company is working on something with another company, and they dont want them going to the media about the project or product. Like here for instance, WB and UPN may have signed an NDA with each other that had an LDC if the news was leaked before they held a press conference.

In terms of detriment to an actual employee in an NDA, usually termination is enough for most people, but youre right about being "black-balled" top an extent. If you're trying to get a job with another big company and you were laid off from your last company because you violated an NDA, it's not going to look good for you.
Also you could be subject to civil/criminal penalties if you took some of that information and sold it and profitted from it somehow and injured the first company.

[Trainwreck2100]

UPN had no Sat morning line up, so The Batman http://www.ezekielbearsports.com/bbs/images/yahoo/rollseyes.gifand all the cartoons should make the cut

[Kane]

I dont think the timeslot even matters for SV next season. Isnt 6 supposed to be the final season?

[RakuMon]

This was actually the better of the two options, since neither Net was doing all too well, now they'll just take the strongest shows from each and use those. The other alternative wouldve been to sell off the WB shows to the highest bidder, meaning you couldve had Smallville on Fox, but that wouldve been bad unless it got a major increse in viewership b/c 5 and 1/4 million usually doesnt cut it on the major networks

I think the best outcome from this merger is increased audiences. By making UPN and WB one network, it allows the new network CW to reach more people. The markets in which a UPN affiliate was available but not a WB one will now carry WB programming and vice versa. While it still won't be as big as ABC, NBC or CBS, CW could rival FOX and will definitely reach a larger swath of the viewing public, which is only GOOD NEWS for Smallville.

If this season's numbers are any indication, putting Smallville in more viewers' homes will jack up the show's ratings. Plus, all the 3-4 million viewers who tune into UPN on Thursday nights will now be folded into SV's auds. This is actually exciting news. Both netlets can now cut their respective dead weight (WB's Friday night lineup, most of UPN's shows) and combine each net's powerhouses.

Imagine a Thursday night lineup of SV followed by Veronica Mars. America's Next Top Model and Beauty and the Geek. Everybody Hates Chris paired with... okay, WB doesn't have a sitcom. Still you get the idea. Putting Smallville on a larger network increases its profile. Especially having it share a stable with shows who have mainstream buzz (like VM, ANTM and EHC).

[ang_hulk]

GOOD! I liked when upn got buffy,they did really well with it so Im hopin the same happens with smallville,UPN has some good writers to its name so i cant wait to see what happens.they were like the same network anyways so who cares.

[ang_hulk]

GOOD! I liked when upn got buffy,they did really well with it so Im hopin the same happens with smallville,UPN has some good writers to its name so i cant wait to see what happens.they were like the same network anyways so who cares.

[ang_hulk]

sorry double post

[Ultimate_Superman]

My question is now where does that leave Smallville in a matter of speaking does that mean if they want him to fly from now on he has to fly or what?

[The Incredible Hulk]

Daily Variety
1/24/06

WB, UPN merge
Moonves plans Sept. start for new net
By BLOOMBERG

The WB and UPN television broadcast networks, which have failed to improve their audience ratings, will merge to form the CW Television Network to lure younger viewers.

CBS, which owns UPN, and the WB, owned by Tribune Co. and Time Warner Inc., will start the new network in September, the companies said today in a statement. New York-based CBS and Time Warner will each own 50 percent of the CW network and operate it as a joint venture.

Combining the networks will boost prospects for profitability, CBS Chief Executive Officer Leslie Moonves said at a press conference in New York. The WB, which posted a loss last year, has struggled with declining ratings. In the current television season, the WB is ranked sixth and UPN ranks eighth among U.S. viewers.

"The long range plans look far better with this entity and we will reach our financial goals," Moonves said.

Shares of Time Warner, the biggest media company, today rose 12 cents to $17.21 at 11:41 a.m. in New York Stock Exchange composite trading. Stock in CBS, formed when Sumner Redstone split Viacom Inc., rose 33 cents to $26.15.


Things just got a LOT more complicated.

One of the main reasons SV was so lucrative for Warners is because they owned it, lock, stock and barrel. Now they will have to SHARE profits split equally down the middle with CBS post September, 2006.

All bets are off, folks. We're in new territory now.

I wouldnt jump to that conclusion. Just because they'll own the Net 50/50 doesnt mean profits will be split down the middle on everything. Depending on the deal, WB could still retain 100% of what Smallville makes while UPN retains 100% of what EHC makes. We've done that with a few of our TV mergers here.

[Ultimate_Superman]

My question is now where does that leave Smallville in a matter of speaking does that mean if they want him to fly from now on he has to fly or what?

[RakuMon]

The one thing I wonder about is why didn't they just announce this at the TCAs last week? That would've been the opportune time. Although, it's quite possible that's when this deal went down.

Anyway, I don't think we'll have to worry about Smallville. As I said earlier, this puts SV into more homes. Does anyone know how many households WB currently reaches right now? It's not much. This new deal, however, puts WB programming in 95% of all homes in the US.

Variety has more on this breaking story:

WB, UPN merge
Moonves plans Sept. start for new net

By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

And then there were five.

CBS Corp., Warner Bros. Entertainment and Tribune Co. announced Tuesday they’re shutting down both the struggling WB and UPNUPN and merging the two into a new entity called The CW.

Move will unite shows such as "Everybody Hates Chris," "Gilmore Girls," and "Veronica Mars" on one network, distributed by CBS and Tribune-owned stations.

The new fifth network, a 50-50 joint venture between CBS and Time WarnerTime Warner, will be distributed on CBS and Tribune-owned stations, reaching 95% of the country.

The net will be staffed by a combination of UPN and WB executives and an undisclosed number will be laid off as a result of the merger.

Dawn Ostroff, current president of UPN, will become President of Entertainment of the new entity and WB’s John Matta, now COO of the WBthe WB, will become COO of The CW.

Move comes as the WB in particular has been struggling through tough times, with ratings down and profits non-existent. There's been much speculation in recent months that Time Warner might be poised to make a radical move to fix its WB problem, but the merger of UPN and the WB caught most industry observers by surprise.

"This new network makes sound business and creative sense at every level -- for our viewers, advertisers, affiliates and for the shareholders of our companies," said Barry Meyer, chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment.

Fox stations currently affiliated with the UPN will be looking for new programming as of August when current affiliate agreements expire.

Fox owns 9 UPN affiliates across the country.

[triplet]

Damn. If this happened last year....Star Trek could have been saved.

Nothing could have saved Enterprise. Manny Coto was brought in to save an ailing show and he killed it instead.

[Lt. Figgnuts]

What the hell does CW mean...?

And, Ang Hulk, changing networks doesn't change the writing staff at all. It's going to be the same writers from this year.

[The Incredible Hulk]

CBS/Warners

[Ultimate_Superman]

What the hell does CW mean...?

And, Ang Hulk, changing networks doesn't change the writing staff at all. It's going to be the same writers from this year.Right but it does mean that they can have different ideas on how they want the show to be.

[Kane]

Nothing could have saved Enterprise. Manny Coto was brought in to save an ailing show and he killed it instead.

How did he kill it? Season 4 was awesome, but UPN had already made the decision to can it prior to season 4.

It didnt fit with their network at all...UPN is entertainment for the urban demographic.

[Kane]

Right but it does mean that they can have different ideas on how they want the show to be.

Again I really dont see how it matters. Its too late to change the way the show is now, it has way more years behind it than ahead..

[RakuMon]

Right but it does mean that they can have different ideas on how they want the show to be.
To me, this is the only disheartening aspect of the merger.
From THR:

Sources said WB Network chairman Garth Ancier and WB entertainment president David Janollari are expected to depart their posts following the completion of the deal.

Ancier and Janollari were two of SV's biggest supporters. I just hope the new heads of CW will continue to back Smallville 100%.

[Lt. Figgnuts]

Right but it does mean that they can have different ideas on how they want the show to be.

I guess, but if the show is successful - like Smallville is - I doubt the execs are going to come in and tell them to change the show, because then you run the risk of ruining or losing what makes it so popular.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Fans will watch Smallville no matter what networks it's on, so there's really no need to change it up too terribly much.

[mellyM]

I think the best outcome from this merger is increased audiences. By making UPN and WB one network, it allows the new network CW to reach more people. The markets in which a UPN affiliate was available but not a WB one will now carry WB programming and vice versa. While it still won't be as big as ABC, NBC or CBS, CW could rival FOX and will definitely reach a larger swath of the viewing public, which is only GOOD NEWS for Smallville.


Imagine a Thursday night lineup of SV followed by Veronica Mars. America's Next Top Model and Beauty and the Geek. Everybody Hates Chris paired with... okay, WB doesn't have a sitcom. Still you get the idea. Putting Smallville on a larger network increases its profile. Especially having it share a stable with shows who have mainstream buzz (like VM, ANTM and EHC).
The more I think about it, I have to agree, it removes any UPN competition (though its pretty much nil now anyway) and Smallville may end up being the Flagship show of a new network, it may not be a bad outcome really, with gaining more affiliates. So I'm going to remain optimistic. This certainly is the year of change...

[The Incredible Hulk]

To me, this is the only disheartening aspect of the merger.
From THR:

Sources said WB Network chairman Garth Ancier and WB entertainment president David Janollari are expected to depart their posts following the completion of the deal.

Ancier and Janollari were two of SV's biggest supporters. I just hope the new heads of CW will continue to back Smallville 100%.

theyre also the two guys who came in before Season 4 and insisted on more T&A

[Ultimate_Superman]

I guess, but if the show is successful - like Smallville is - I doubt the execs are going to come in and tell them to change the show, because then you run the risk of ruining or losing what makes it so popular.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Fans will watch Smallville no matter what networks it's on, so there's really no need to change it up too terribly much.True but hey yo know how peoples minds work. Look at what Jon Peters wanted to Superman if he had his way we would have had the Matrix meets the Wild Wild West.

[triplet]

How did he kill it? Season 4 was awesome, but UPN had already made the decision to can it prior to season 4.

It was his decision to have all those multi-part episodes... that killed it IMO. Bad idea.

I absolutely LOATHED the show's finale. He knew it was ending and came up with that ridiculous storyline to finish the series on?

I hope Manny never becomes the show runner for any show I care about again.

:down:

It didnt fit with their network at all...UPN is entertainment for the urban demographic.

Bigotted much?

UPN is owned by Paramount and Enterprise was a Paramount property....

[Ultimate_Superman]

Again I really dont see how it matters. Its too late to change the way the show is now, it has way more years behind it than ahead..Right but look at Lois and Clark the first two seasons were good IMO then out of the blue they did a whole 360 and killed that show.

[Kane]

It was his decision to have all those multi-part episodes... that killed it IMO. Bad idea.

I absolutely LOATHED the show's finale. He knew it was ending and came up with that ridiculous storyline to finish the series on?

I hope Manny never becomes the show runner for any show I care about again.

:down:

Bigotted much?

UPN is owned by Paramount and Enterprise was a Paramount property....

Get informed Triplet. The finale wasnt written by Coto, the cast and most writers hated it....but it was penned by B+B (who are total idiots)....Coto saved the show from them, the previous stuff they did for ENT was crap.

And it wasnt his decision to have the multi-part episodes that killed the show, the fans actually enjoyed those. DS9 was filled with multi-part arcs and the show is a fan favorite.

And I know UPN is owned by Paramount but the tv network is designed to appeal to an Urban audience on a whole. ENT didnt fit there! Scott Bakula and many others said it themselves! It belonged on a channel like Sci-fi network....it just ended up getting locked on UPN thanks to Paramount.

And seriously dont call me a bigot.. that was just out of line and without class.

[Super_Ludacris]

Writers won't change, it's still a Warners production. Besides Buffy and Veronica Mars are/were Warner productions too

[Kane]

Right but look at Lois and Clark the first two seasons were good IMO then out of the blue they did a whole 360 and killed that show.

WB and UPN are too similar in their ways to cause any serious damage. What could UPN do to Smallville at the most? Amp up the Sex on the show for ratings?.....wait WB already did that.

Nothing will change on SV next season. It will still be the same product.

[AgentPat]

I wouldnt jump to that conclusion. Just because they'll own the Net 50/50 doesnt mean profits will be split down the middle on everything. Depending on the deal, WB could still retain 100% of what Smallville makes while UPN retains 100% of what EHC makes. We've done that with a few of our TV mergers here.Well, okay, but I'll feel a LOT better when I see a 6th season order. This is a contract renewal year for SV. The show has already secured its future in syndication, and G&M are off working on Aquaman now. I'm just having a hard time feeling good about this merger, but we'll see how it goes.

[RakuMon]

Writers won't change, it's still a Warners production. Besides Buffy and Veronica Mars are/were Warner productions too
Actually, Buffy is a 20th Century Fox production.

Here's the official press release:

CBS CORPORATION AND WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT FORM NEW 5TH BROADCAST NETWORK

Each Company To Hold 50% Interest In The CW Television Network

Tribune Broadcasting and CBS Corporation Stations Agree To 10-Year Affiliation Agreements Covering 48% Of The Country

New Television Network To Utilize the Best Programming from CBS Corporation and Warner Bros.

Dawn Ostroff Is Tapped As President of Entertainment At The New Network; John Maatta Will Be Chief Operating Officer

The WB and UPN to Cease Operations in September 2006

January 24, 2006 (New York, NY) — CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment today announced their intent to form a new 5th network, The CW, to be launched in the fall of 2006. The new broadcasting network will be a joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation, with each company owning 50%. In an important strategic move that secures major market distribution for The CW, it was announced that Tribune Broadcasting and the CBS Corporation's UPN affiliates have agreed separately to sign 10-year affiliation agreements with the new network.

The announcement for the new network was made today in New York by Leslie Moonves, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBS Corporation and Barry Meyer, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Entertainment. The Tribune Broadcasting affiliation agreements were announced by Dennis FitzSimons, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tribune Company.

At the same time, it was announced that CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment will cease operations of their respective networks -- UPN and The WB. The WB and UPN will continue to broadcast their respective network schedules independently until the fall.

The combination of Tribune's 16 major market stations and the 12 CBS-owned UPN major market affiliates give The CW instant coverage in 48% of the country. The remainder of the network's distribution system will be a combination of selected current UPN and The WB stations. The full distribution of the new network is expected to exceed 95% of the country.

Dawn Ostroff, currently President of UPN, will become President of Entertainment and John Maatta, currently Chief Operating Officer of The WB, will become Chief Operating Officer of The CW.

"This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience," said Moonves. "It will clearly be greater than the sum of its parts, delivering excellent demographics to advertisers, and building a strong new affiliate body. Additionally, The CW will be able to draw from the creative talent and production resources from the top two television production studios in the business, while also seeking programming from all sources -- independent producers or other studios. With this move, we will be creating a viable entity, one well-equipped to compete, thrive and serve all our many publics in this multi-channel media universe. I'd like to thank Dawn Ostroff and all the talented people at UPN who have worked so hard. For many years UPN had financial losses, but under CBS's guidance, UPN has been able to effect a dramatic creative turnaround in a short period of time."

"This new network makes sound business and creative sense at every level -- for our viewers, advertisers, affiliates and for the shareholders of our companies," said Meyer. "Every key constituency of the network will now greatly benefit from this combination by being part of a highly rated, competitive, 5th broadcast network that is financially sound. As we form this new joint venture, we are also very pleased that in Dawn and John we have a management team of great creative vision and business acumen, one that will help to guide it successfully forward."

"This is a very exciting day for Time Warner and its shareholders in the creation of what we believe will be a very strong and viable 5th broadcast television network," said Jeff Bewkes, President & Chief Operating Officer of Time Warner. "This new network will have all the strategic asset value as an outlet for our programming that The WB presented us, but with a much firmer and more secure financial present and future. The credit goes to Barry Meyer, who continues to have tremendous vision and extraordinary business acumen as the long time leader of Warner Bros. Entertainment, a company that we are proud to say continues to be number one in its class."

"This is a great day for Tribune and its shareholders, and we are pleased to be the lead affiliate group of what will be a strong network," said FitzSimons. "We could not have had a better partner than Warner Bros. and Barry Meyer since we together launched The WB 11 years ago. Now, with the ownership role of CBS Corporation and the leadership of Leslie Moonves added to the mix, Tribune's viewers and advertisers will benefit from an even stronger programming lineup."

The 16 Tribune affiliated stations will include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Portland, Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, New Orleans and Albany. The 12 CBS Station Group television markets will include Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, Norfolk, Oklahoma City and Providence. Together, these top two station groups cover the top 13 television markets, 20 of the top 25 television markets and have a total coverage area of more than 48% of the country.

The CW will incorporate The WB's current scheduling model, which consists of a 6 night-13 hour primetime lineup including Monday through Friday nights from 8-10 (EST/PST); Sundays from 7-10 (EST/PST); Sunday from 5-7 (EST/PST) outside of primetime as well as a Monday thru Friday afternoon block from 3-5 (EST/PST) and a 5-hour Saturday morning animation block. Together, the network will program 30 hours a week over seven days for its affiliated stations.

As the top creative executive, Ostroff will have 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.

In addition, The CW will also broadcast the schedule of children's programming now known as Kids' WB!, a 5-hour original programming block on Saturday mornings from 7:00 am-Noon, considered primetime for kids. Kids' WB! has been the broadcast network ratings champion since Fall 2000, capturing 16 consecutive sweep victories as the Number One Saturday morning kids' broadcaster.

All programming, marketing, scheduling, publicity and research functions will report to Ostroff.

Maatta will be responsible for the network's business operations. Bill Morningstar, The WB's Executive Vice President of Advertising Sales will become the head of sales reporting to Maatta. Other responsibilities that will report to Maatta include business affairs, network distribution, legal, finance and human resources.

Meyer added: "This could not have happened without the tremendous energy and talent of Bruce Rosenblum, President of Warner Bros. Television Group and Nancy Tellem at CBS who worked tirelessly and cohesively together to make this new network a reality. I would also like to thank Dennis FitzSimons, who saw the great opportunity this new network presents for the Tribune Company and who continues to be one of the great professionals and broadcasters in the business today."

Moonves added: "This idea becomes a reality only when a great station group like Tribune comes on board with us and delivers the powerful reach a new network requires. With formidable flagship Tribune stations in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles, a great CBS line-up of owned and operated UPN stations, and strong affiliates from every available market, The CW launches as a strong competitor to the Big Four, and that's good for our business, for the viewing audience, and for free, over the air broadcasting. It is also good news for our shareholders, who will benefit from a much stronger business model, improved economics for our stations and new opportunities for our production businesses."

CBS Corporation (NYSE: CBS.A and CBS) is a mass media company with constituent parts that reach back to the beginnings of the broadcast industry, as well as newer businesses that operate on the leading edge of the media industry. The Company, through its many and varied operations, combines broad reach with well-positioned local businesses, all of which provide it with an extensive distribution network by which it serves audiences and advertisers in all 50 states and key international markets. It has operations in virtually every field of media and entertainment, including broadcast television (CBS and UPN), cable television (Showtime), local television (CBS Television Stations), television production and syndication (CBS Paramount Television and King World), radio (CBS Radio), advertising on out-of-home media (CBS Outdoor), publishing (Simon & Schuster), theme parks (Paramount Parks), digital media (CBS Digital Media Group and CSTV Networks) and consumer products (CBS Consumer Products). For more information, log on to www.cbscorporation.com.

Warner Bros. Entertainment, a fully-integrated, broad-based entertainment company, is a global leader in the creation, production, distribution, licensing and marketing of all forms of entertainment and their related businesses. Warner Bros. Entertainment, a Time Warner Company, stands at the forefront of every aspect of the entertainment industry, from feature films to television, home video/DVD, animation, comic books, interactive entertainment and games, product and brand licensing, international cinemas and broadcasting.

TRIBUNE (NYSE:TRB) is one of the country's top media companies, operating businesses in publishing and broadcasting. It reaches more than 80 percent of U.S. households and is the only media organization with newspapers, television stations and websites in the nation's top three markets. In publishing, Tribune operates 11 leading daily newspapers including the Los Angeles Times, Chicago Tribune and Newsday, plus a wide range of targeted publications such as Spanish-language Hoy. The company's broadcasting group operates 26 television stations, Superstation WGN on national cable, Chicago's WGN-AM and the Chicago Cubs baseball team. Popular news and information websites complement Tribune's print and broadcast properties and extend the company's nationwide audience.

[Super_Ludacris]

this is true, I just think it's gonna be hilarious to see it paired with "Smackdown" or something

[triplet]

Get informed Triplet. The finale wasnt written by Coto, the cast and most writers hated it....but it was penned by B+B.

And it wasnt his decision to have the multi-part episodes that killed the show, the fans actually enjoyed those. DS9 was filled with multi-part arcs and the show is a fan favorite.


You need to get informed. The show runner... well... runs the show. If it wasn't his decision, whose was it?

Yeah, it may have made the fanboys happy but I hated it and so did a lot of my friends. My husband actually gave up watching the show altogether because he hated that so much.

It seemed like every frickin' week there was a "to be continued" at the end of the episode.

I was getting tired of the show and that made me even more weary...

And I know UPN is owned by Paramount but the tv network is designed to appeal to an Urban audience on a whole. ENT didnt fit there! Scott Bakula and many others said it themselves! It belonged on a channel like Sci-fi network....it just ended up getting locked on UPN thanks to Paramount.

And seriously dont call me a bigot.. that was just out of line and without class.

I guess you didn't know that "Urban Audience" is another way to say Black or Latino audiences...

You seem to be dissing a whole demo simply because they're "urban"... That kinda sounds bigotted to me.

[Ultimate_Superman]

WB and UPN are too similar in their ways to cause any serious damage. What could UPN do to Smallville at the most? Amp up the Sex on the show for ratings?.....wait WB already did that.

Nothing will change on SV next season. It will still be the same product.It might be the same though I am now wondering if they might add in flying which IMO isn't to bad of a thing.

[Super_Ludacris]

I wonder if CBS can or will move some of it's show (especially ones created by them ) to CW if they fitted the demographic?

[The Incredible Hulk]

Well, okay, but I'll feel a LOT better when I see a 6th season order. This is a contract renewal year for SV. The show has already secured its future in syndication, and G&M are off working on Aquaman now. I'm just having a hard time feeling good about this merger, but we'll see how it goes.

I think the fact that Smallville is mentioned by the Networks in the press release tells you all you need to know about Season 6. As for it being a contract "renewal" year, it's really not a "renewal" per se, it's the Network picking up the 1st option year on the actors original deals. The Aquaman pilot will be shot in March/April, giving M&G plenty of time to plot out Season 6 and then letting the writing teams "have at it". Plus between you and me, I dont think the Aquaman show goes anywhere, but who knows?

[Kane]

You need to get informed. The show runner... well... runs the show. If it wasn't his decision, whose was it?

Yeah, it may have made the fanboys happy but I hated it and so did a lot of my friends. My husband actually gave up watching the show altogether because he hated that so much.

It seemed like every frickin' week there was a "to be continued" at the end of the episode.

I was getting tired of the show and that made me even more weary...



I guess you didn't know that "Urban Audience" is another way to say Black or Latino audiences...

You seem to be dissing a whole demo simply because they're "urban"... That kinda sounds bigotted to me.

Um no. Thats the words the cast and crew used to describe the demo of the network in all the interviews....thats where I learned that word. If I didnt hear them say it, I would have said 'black'.... but Im just quoting them and they are people in the know.

Manny WAS the showrunner but B+B are the effin producers. They have say over him. He had NOTHING to do with the final episode.

Manny's idea for the final episode was totally different. He wanted to end the series with the big reveal of the TCW arc. Unfortunately thanks to B and B that never happened.


As far as the multi-part episodes go...its fine if you didnt like it but it DEFINATELY wasnt the thing that 'killed' the show. The majority of the fanbase loved it, along with the cast and other writers. I met Linda Park and she says how much everyone loved Manny and wished he could have continued. She also said how much she hated B+B's final episode....so she told it like it is. She said her and the cast considered the last ep Manny wrote, "Terra Prime" as the true final episode.

[NHawk19]

I think the fact that Smallville is mentioned by the Networks in the press release tells you all you need to know about Season 6. As for it being a contract "renewal" year, it's really not a "renewal" per se, it's the Network picking up the 1st option year on the actors original deals. The Aquaman pilot will be shot in March/April, giving M&G plenty of time to plot out Season 6 and then letting the writing teams "have at it". Plus between you and me I dont think the Aquaman show goes anywhere but who knows?

Aquaman is the one I'd worry about anyway. They may have a full card after the two mix. But really UPN is going to have to sacrifice the most I think. They only have what about 4 shows worth even mentioning.

[Kane]

It might be the same though I am now wondering if they might add in flying which IMO isn't to bad of a thing.

Who cares. Its such a minor detail. As long has they dont turn Lois and Lana into lesbo lovers or something :down

Im sure the show will be untainted.

[AllThingsComic]

Forgive my ignorance in all this, but i'm a bit confused, here in NY, UPN is channel 9 and WB is channel 11. Will there be a CW channel and if so what will these 2 channels become? Will they both just remain on air and have the same CW (if there are any planned) logos and just mix up the shows? Again sorry for confusion.

[The Incredible Hulk]

hey maybe now Pete will come back? ;) Heck, Luke Perry came back to 90210 :D

[Super_Ludacris]

I'll watch it if they turn Lois and Lana into lesbian lovers, what you like to stare at Welling's abs instead?

[The Incredible Hulk]

Lois and Lana into lesbo lovers or something
.

dude, stop speaking my thoughts! :eek: :)

[Super_Ludacris]

Forgive my ignorance in all this, but i'm a bit confused, here in NY, UPN is channel 9 and WB is channel 11. Will there be a CW channel and if so what will these 2 channels become? Will they both just remain on air and have the same CW (if there are any planned) logos and just mix up the shows? Again sorry for confusion.

You will get CW and WB and UPN will go off air. Maybe CW will come on your channel 9 or 11...or 10 or whatever

[NHawk19]

SV shoots onsite mostly doesn't it? So the net would be hard pressed to maintain a grip on it anyway. Unlike other shows which need a stage for most of thier work.

[Kane]

I'll watch it if they turn Lois and Lana into lesbian lovers, what you like to stare at Welling's abs instead?


Um no. I'd stop watching if that happened...cause thatd be the most ridiculous storyline ever and a cheap diservice to the characters.

[The Incredible Hulk]

I dont know. I believe the Kent House, Luthor Mansion, Talon, and FoS are all sets

[Kane]

dude, stop speaking my thoughts! :eek: :)

I wasnt advocating it. Its such a bad idea.

[Super_Ludacris]

So in another words you want to stare at Welling's abs instead

[Kane]

No. Im not perverted.

I dont look for that stuff

[AllThingsComic]

You will get CW and WB and UPN will go off air. Maybe CW will come on your channel 9 or 11...or 10 or whatever


Wow this IS big, I remember when the channels were WPIX and WWOR and they changed. It was big when that happened, now to lose a station is like bugging me out. We lost CBS fm 101.1 over the summer, I don't think I can Handle losing a tv station as well?? lol j/k

[Kane]

I dont see this as anything more than a name change.

1 Crappy Network + 1 Crappy Network = 1 Big Crappy Network

[Spaceballs]

this is true, I just think it's gonna be hilarious to see it paired with "Smackdown" or something

NO

HELL NO

Hopefully now Smallville will get paired with Supernatural next Season :up:

[NHawk19]

I dont know. I believe the Kent House, Luthor Mansion, Talon, and FoS are all sets

I thought Kent House was on location. Yes I konw FOS, Luthor, and Talon are sets. I guess this year they've added a few more to the list now that I think about it.

But are those sets in Vancouver or in LA next to the network.

[RakuMon]

Wow this IS big, I remember when the channels were WPIX and WWOR and they changed. It was big when that happened, now to lose a station is like bugging me out. We lost CBS fm 101.1 over the summer, I don't think I can Handle losing a tv station as well?? lol j/k
Well, you wouldn't be losing it per se. It's just those two channels will become one. Like Luda said, the programming you used to get on channel 9 and channel 11 will now both be on channel 9 (let's say). The other channel will revert to being a local channel, probably airing sports, reruns or infomercials during primetime.

[Super_Ludacris]

I'm just intrested to see who will be SV's prime time partner next season then. The best rated shows come on a Thursday for both newtworks so chances are they will spread them out (Everybody Hates Chris, Gilmore Girls, Veronica Mars, Smallville)

That reminds me, how is One Tree Hill's ratings doing this season? I'm sure it will make the cut cause it's a major show and all that but I think it could get moved around

[avidreader]

I thought Kent House was on location. Yes I konw FOS, Luthor, and Talon are sets. I guess this year they've added a few more to the list now that I think about it.

But are those sets in Vancouver or in LA next to the network.

All the Smallville stage sets are in Vancouver. Burnaby if my memory serves me correct.

My WB is on Channel 5, and excellent place to be, so I hope this new network stays there. And reading that last Press Release that Raku posted, all sounds more than positive to me.

[Super_Ludacris]

I dont see this as anything more than a name change.

1 Crappy Network + 1 Crappy Network = 1 Big Crappy Network

Surely the point of this merger is to boost the ratings by working together and maximising there best while unloading the dead weight of there worst.

You'll see more of Welling's abs it's ok lol

[Super_Ludacris]

All the Smallville stage sets are in Vancouver. Burnaby if my memory serves me correct.

My WB is on Channel 5, and excellent place to be, so I hope this new network stays there. And reading that last Press Release that Raku posted, all sounds more than positive to me.

Again I think it's UPN's shows that will lose out more anyway. At the same time it's good for some of it's shows like Everybody Hates Chris for them to stand out more with (comparativley speaking) bigger shows on the former WB.

It's a win-win and besides to me both networks have been similar with there young/urban audiences over the last 10 years, so why not

[mellyM]

All the Smallville stage sets are in Vancouver. Burnaby if my memory serves me correct.

My WB is on Channel 5, and excellent place to be, so I hope this new network stays there. And reading that last Press Release that Raku posted, all sounds more than positive to me.
Yep, they are set, the exterior of the farm is a location.
I think it does sound very positive. I'm looking forward to seeing what the official Fall lineup will be like

[Spaceballs]

I wonder what everyone thought when they first when the Thread Title before coming in LMAO :up:

[Kane]

Surely the point of this merger is to boost the ratings by working together and maximising there best while unloading the dead weight of there worst.

You'll see more of Welling's abs it's ok lol

I wouldnt want to but youre the one who seems to be obsessed with them, you keep bringing them up.

*cough* homo *cough*

[Kane]

I wonder what everyone thought when they first when the Thread Title before coming in LMAO :up:

It falsely got my hopes up of the entire WB shutting down.

[avidreader]

I wonder what everyone thought when they first when the Thread Title before coming in LMAO :up:

I got a Google alert and read the article before I came in here. So I wasnt too shocked.

Melly, I'll have to get the directions from you of where the Kent Farm is. I'm gonna be in Vancouver next summer. I'd love to check it out.

[Super_Ludacris]

I wouldnt want to but youre the one who seems to be obsessed with them, you keep bringing them up.

*cough* homo *cough*


Actually I was the one who said I would gladly see Lana and Lois lesbian story while you were the one who said no "because it would take the focus off Clark"

Now I know why your dolls are your only friends, your smack talk is as anemic as a Paris Hilton coke party:(

[Kane]

Actually I was the one who said I would gladly see Lana and Lois lesbian story while you were the one who said no "because it would take the focus off Clark"

Now I know why your dolls are your only friends, your smack talk is as anemic as a Paris Hilton coke party:(

Did I say it would take focus off Clark you a$$hole?

Look again. I said it would be a stupid storyline and a disservice to Lois and Lana's characters. I know reading is a challenging task for you...but try.

Im not a pervert like you, I know it wouldnt be in the best interests of the show to implement such a storyline. And the reason you cant objectify your perversion from what works for the series is obvious, youre not getting any.

So dont take out your sexual frustration on me.

I have spoken.

[Kaboom]

the FOS is a set? i thought they really went to the artic for every shot! my faith in network television is ruined.

[Super_Ludacris]

Did I say it would take focus off Clark you a$$hole?

Look again. I said it would be a stupid storyline and a disservice to Lois and Lana's characters. I know reading is a challenging task for you...but try.

Im not a pervert like you, I know it wouldnt be in the best interests of the show to implement such a storyline. And the reason you cant objectify your perversion from what works for the series is obvious, youre not getting any.

So dont take out your sexual frustration on me.

I have spoken.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/tmsxl/mad.jpg

[RakuMon]

Again I think it's UPN's shows that will lose out more anyway. At the same time it's good for some of it's shows like Everybody Hates Chris for them to stand out more with (comparativley speaking) bigger shows on the former WB.

EXACTLY!

One of the problems with Chris is that it's paired with three terrible half hour shows. The drop off in quality and ratings after EHC is astounding. Both netlets will benefit from dropping their respective dead weight (namely, anything not named Smallville, Gilmore Girls, Beauty & the Geek, Supernatural, Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris, and America's Next Model).

[Super_Ludacris]

Yeah UPN sucks now, there was a time it actually had some shows I used to watch. But that was like when I was in Junior High and High School ! lol (remembers Buffy, Moesha, All about the Anderson, Steve Harvey, Hughleys). Even those got played out too

[Serene]

Of those shows listed as the strongest... I wonder where Smallville lies? Is it the strongest, or are Gilmore Girls, or Veronica Mars stronger?

Granted, I'm no expert.. but it seems like a good thing for SV to now be one of the strongest performing shows on an even bigger network.

Now let's hope they don't screw up the scheduling.

[Kane]

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v198/tmsxl/mad.jpg

Well not really anymore. Your clownish lowbrow antics are almost laughable.

[Super_Ludacris]

Of those shows listed as the strongest... I wonder where Smallville lies? Is it the strongest, or are Gilmore Girls, or Veronica Mars stronger?

Granted, I'm no expert.. but it seems like a good thing for SV to now be one of the strongest performing shows on an even bigger network.

Now let's hope they don't screw up the scheduling.

I think Smallville (especially after this season's showing) is easily the premier show. I'm not counting reality shows

[Mike_D202]

I hate it when they do this, cause now I'm gonna have a halluva time trying to find the right channel to CW...:o

[Super_Ludacris]

There's only like 5 networks now. How hard could it be?

[Mike_D202]

When the WB was created for the first time our cable company didnt give us the channel up here.

[Super_Ludacris]

did you get UPN?

[triplet]

oops.

[triplet]

Of those shows listed as the strongest... I wonder where Smallville lies? Is it the strongest, or are Gilmore Girls, or Veronica Mars stronger?

Granted, I'm no expert.. but it seems like a good thing for SV to now be one of the strongest performing shows on an even bigger network.

Now let's hope they don't screw up the scheduling.

I don't think they will move Smallville it's (according to this article (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/01/the_new_cw_netw.html) in the Chicago Trib) kicking some major behind, makes sense to leave it where it is.

I think this is good news for Smallville and shows like Supernatural....

Here is what the Chicago Trib writer says about Smallville:

Thursday: Currently “Smallville” is kicking some major behind on this extremely competitive night, so it makes no sense to move it. The trouble is, on this night, UPN has the great “Everybody Hates Chris.” Would “Chris” and “Smallville” really work together? Who knows, but right now the WB’s got “Smallville” paired with the reality show “Beauty and the Geek,” so maybe the lesson is that “Smallville” works with just about anything.

[Mike_D202]

did you get UPN?

Nope. I remember having to wake up at 6am to catch the first episodes of extreme ghostbusters cause the UPN would only show on the FOX channel for a few hours.

In fact I still dont think we have UPN.

[The Incredible Hulk]

I don't think they will move Smallville it's (according to this article (http://featuresblogs.chicagotribune.com/entertainment_tv/2006/01/the_new_cw_netw.html) in the Chicago Trib) kicking some major behind, makes sense to leave it where it is.

I think this is good news for Smallville and shows like Supernatural....

Here is what the Chicago Trib writer says about Smallville:

Thursday: Currently “Smallville” is kicking some major behind on this extremely competitive night, so it makes no sense to move it. The trouble is, on this night, UPN has the great “Everybody Hates Chris.” Would “Chris” and “Smallville” really work together? Who knows, but right now the WB’s got “Smallville” paired with the reality show “Beauty and the Geek,” so maybe the lesson is that “Smallville” works with just about anything.

yeah everything except The Mountain.... then again I dont think "Roots" wouldve worked if it was paired up with The Mountain :D

[triplet]

yeah everything except The Mountain.... then again I dont think "Roots" wouldve worked if it was paired up with The Mountain :D

LOL!

The Mountain stunk, nothing could save it (not even being paired with Smallville). ;) :p

[triplet]

yeah everything except The Mountain.... then again I dont think "Roots" wouldve worked if it was paired up with The Mountain :D

LOL!

The Mountain stunk so nothing could save it (not even being paired with Smallville). ;) :p

[avidreader]

LOL!

The Mountain stunk so nothing could save it (not even being paired with Smallville). ;) :p

SOMEBODY SAAAAAAAAAAVE ME! DONT CARE HOW YOU DO IT. JUST SAAAAAAAAAVE ME!:D

[Kaboom]

if there's a wall just break right through it! come on.

[RakuMon]

MSNBC rates SV's chances of survival on the new network. Though, I can't believe they're only giving the show an 80% chance!

“Smallville” (WB): Faster than a speeding bullet, the drama about teen Superman is as safe as Lois Lane is in persistent peril. The Washington Post quoted WB CEO Garth Ancier as saying “what would be the point of owning this network if you weren’t going to have ‘Smallville,’ ” going on to note that the show brings in hundreds of millions of dollars via syndication, overseas and other deals. Perhaps the show will be paired with “Supernatural” for a sci-fi-horror themed night of programming. Odds of survival: 8 out of 10.

[avidreader]

I guess without a signed contract, that's a reasonable estimate.

[The Incredible Hulk]

MSNBC rates SV's chances of survival on the new network. Though, I can't believe they're only giving the show an 80% chance!



“Smallville” (WB): Faster than a speeding bullet, the drama about teen Superman is as safe as Lois Lane is in persistent peril. The Washington Post quoted WB CEO Garth Ancier as saying “what would be the point of owning this network if you weren’t going to have ‘Smallville,’ ” going on to note that the show brings in hundreds of millions of dollars via syndication, overseas and other deals. Perhaps the show will be paired with “Supernatural” for a sci-fi-horror themed night of programming. Odds of survival: 8 out of 10.


you have a link for that page?



I guess without a signed contract, that's a reasonable estimate.


they have a contract, WB/Viacom just needs to pick up the option year.

[Spaceballs]

I really hope they Smallville & Supernatural get paired next Season. Its the PERFECT Match & Supernatural COULD use a Smallville boost. Just like what Lost does for Invasion. If Invasion was never on right after Lost thatd have been cancelled long time ago lol.

[Super_Ludacris]

I wanna see them switch it up and put like a comedy next to a drama like Everybody Hates Chris and then Smallville

More interestingly what NEW shows will they bring to the network? What generic teen angst drama/black sitcom they gonna hit us with?

[Milkman95]

50/50 shot for a 6th season folks.............

[Spaceballs]

50/50 shot for a 6th season folks.............

You can almost say Smallvilles Future depends on the 100th Episode & everyones reaction. I bet the WB will pay VERY CLOSE attention to it :up:

[Super_Ludacris]

I figured after the success of SV this season as it is, season 6 is 99.9% ensured. Season 7 is the question mark and any other season afterwards

[Milkman95]

Season 6 is probably going to be the last season, sorry.

[Super_Ludacris]

Well problem solved then

[Spaceballs]

Season 6 is probably going to be the last season, sorry.

Very good chance. Because once Zod gets introduce at the End Of This Season I am sure he will have an few Episode Arcs & you can NOT get ANY better then Zod & Braniac :up:

[Lt. Figgnuts]

You need to get informed. The show runner... well... runs the show. If it wasn't his decision, whose was it?

Yeah, it may have made the fanboys happy but I hated it and so did a lot of my friends. My husband actually gave up watching the show altogether because he hated that so much.

It seemed like every frickin' week there was a "to be continued" at the end of the episode.


You're not a fan of 24, are you? ;)

The fans are the bread and butter of shows like this. If the multi-episode story arcs were made to appease the majority of the fans, then it looks like you are just out of luck there.

Plus, multi-episode arcs are what makes serialized storytelling so great! If everything is resolved in a bow by the end of each episode, **** gets boring.

That's just my take on it anyway...

[Spaceballs]

I dont know about you guys but if DONE RIGHT I LOVE Multiple Episode Story Arcs. Beats the crap out of Filler ones :up: They just leave you shaking your head in SHAME most of the time (Filler Episodes)

[Lt. Figgnuts]

Exactly!

Don't get me wrong...multi-episode arcs have the potential to be amazing or just "ugh" worthy. It depends on how long they keep the story going, what directions the story takes, if there are any twists to keep the audience on their toes...

Now, I didn't watch Enterprise at all, save for maybe the first half of Season 1. Perhaps Season 4 didn't have any of the things that make long arcs good, I don't know...just throwing my two cents in there.

[avidreader]

they have a contract, WB/Viacom just needs to pick up the option year.

That's what I meant. :O

[Kal-El 8]

Seriously. This is HUGE news.
Smallville will be on the same network with Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris and Next Top Model. This can only lead to larger auds for SV.

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm?cnn=yes

CW network to replace WB, UPN
CBS, Warner Bros. announce plans for new network to debut in September.
January 24, 2006: 11:41 AM EST


NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) - Warner Brothers and CBS Corp. announced plans Tuesday for the creation of a new broadcast television network, called CW, that would replace the WB and UPN networks in the fall of this year.

The new broadcast network will draw on programming from both WB and UPN, and will be a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS (Research), with each company owning 50 percent, officials of both companies.

WB's 'Gilmore Girls' will be one of the shows on the new CW network, officials said.

"This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience," said Les Moonves, the chairman of CBS, in a statement.

Prime time programming will target the profitable 18-34 age group, officials of Warner and CBS said.

The new network will broadcast such UPN shows as "America's Next Top Model," "Veronica Mars" and "Everybody Hates Chris," as well as WB programs "Beauty and the Geek," "Smallville" and "Gilmore Girls."

Warner Brothers Entertainment is a division of Time Warner (Research), as is CNNMoney.com. Top of page

WTF is CW it sounds bad , this new idea doesn't sound good for Smallville .

Can't We save THE WB ?

[Squatlow]

Sounds like SV will be ok. My biggest worry is that someone will make a short notice decision after production shuts down (like they did with "John Doe" a few seasons back on 'Fox' was it or 'UPN'; sorry can't remember which) and leave us with the end of season cliff hanger and NO Season 6 to resolve everything. Not to mention cheating everyone out of the "money shot' (TW in da suit?).

My best hope in that case would be for SciFi to pick the whole thing up, but getting the cast back together could be very problematic. Ah, I worry too much...

[avidreader]

We need to rally the troops and ensure that Smallville makes its way over to the new network. So go vote here now.

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/popup?id=1536089&POLL234=2000000000000

[Serene]

This one too: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11009635/

Hey.. can't hurt, right? :)

[Mike_D202]

eww..one tree hill?

[Kane]

Urgh rally the troops?


It WILL be on the new network. But I really dont see Smallville pushing beyond one more season (season 6 being the final). Its wearing too thin and its about time Clark put his Smallville life behind him.

[Kane]

eww..one tree hill?

awful show:down

[triplet]

You're not a fan of 24, are you? ;)

Actually, I'm not but then again Enterprise wasn't making multi-episode story arcs for anything that most people cared about. I got bored with the Xindi from season 3 and the Vulcan political bs from it's last season was boring as hell....

Yeah, when done well the arcs can be great (Wiseguy was one of my favorite shows, btw) but Manny messed it up for Enterprise. It was boring. Full stop. End of story. End of the series.


The fans are the bread and butter of shows like this. If the multi-episode story arcs were made to appease the majority of the fans, then it looks like you are just out of luck there.

Plus, multi-episode arcs are what makes serialized storytelling so great! If everything is resolved in a bow by the end of each episode, **** gets boring.

That's just my take on it anyway...

You have to tell a story people care about if you're going to have two and three part episodes... otherwise, what's the point? And I found most of their multipart episodes that last season didn't give me much of a reason to tune in to see the second or third parts.

I'm not the only person who felt this way, a lot of those same fans you talk about stayed away from Enterprise in droves when it moved to Fridays....

There's a reason this is the first time in like a very, very long time that there hasn't been a Star Trek skein on the airwaves and I think Manny Coto was it.

Paramount TV had to cut the price of the show to even get UPN, another unit of their parent mind you, to even carry the show for a fourth season. Manny was supposed to the salvation of a series in serious trouble and he just dug the hole deeper.

[triplet]

Exactly!

Don't get me wrong...multi-episode arcs have the potential to be amazing or just "ugh" worthy. It depends on how long they keep the story going, what directions the story takes, if there are any twists to keep the audience on their toes...

Now, I didn't watch Enterprise at all, save for maybe the first half of Season 1. Perhaps Season 4 didn't have any of the things that make long arcs good, I don't know...just throwing my two cents in there.

Well, I guess you misunderstood me.

I thought the arcs in Enterprise stunk but other shows have done well with this kind of story telling. Like Wiseguy.

It was a brilliant show and Kevin Spacey was freakin' awesome in it.

I was glad when Wiseguy moved from Wednesdays away (and away from Quantum Leap) but it (like Enterprise) moved to Fridays to die an ignominious death. It was unmourned by the time it shuttered for good (also like Enterprise).

I don't like 24 mostly because it's totally preposterous for Jack whathisname to do what he does during each episode in only an hour, not because it uses a season long character arc...

[The Incredible Hulk]

Smallville is fine, there is no "50/50", "chance of cancellation", other such nonsense, if there was any question about it, the people that are heading up the new network wouldnt be talking about it in their press releases. It's WB's biggest asset at this point.

[Kal-El 8]

“Smallville” (WB): Faster than a speeding bullet, the drama about teen Superman is as safe as Lois Lane is in persistent peril. The Washington Post quoted WB CEO Garth Ancier as saying “what would be the point of owning this network if you weren’t going to have ‘Smallville,’ ” going on to note that the show brings in hundreds of millions of dollars via syndication, overseas and other deals. Perhaps the show will be paired with “Supernatural” for a sci-fi-horror themed night of programming. Odds of survival: 8 out of 10.

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11007437/page/2/

[Mike_D202]

heh...Disney just bought out Pixar...big changes in the industry lay ahead.

[Lt. Figgnuts]

I don't like 24 mostly because it's totally preposterous for Jack whathisname to do what he does during each episode in only an hour, not because it uses a season long character arc...

I would point out, though, that a lot of the things in Smallville are unbelievable...on TV, it's about entertainment, not about believability (that is, as long as they make it seem halfway believable).

I'm not the only person who felt this way, a lot of those same fans you talk about stayed away from Enterprise in droves when it moved to Fridays....

I don't think this was because of the arcs, I think fans stayed away from Enterprise because it just plain sucked donkey testicles.

[AgentPat]

Somebody asked yesterday which station the new CW would air on in NY. The answer is, the same station The WB currently airs on: WPIX, channel 11. Assuming the time slot isn't changed, aye-freakin'-gain, SV fans in NY won't know anything ever happened. It'll be the same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. (Sorry, couldn't resist LOL).

...I really dont see Smallville pushing beyond one more season (season 6 being the final). Its wearing too thin and its about time Clark put his Smallville life behind him.Season 6 is probably going to be the last season, sorry.Okay, collective eye roll please.

Based on Ancier's comments and other op-eds I've read over the last 24 hours, it seems pretty likely SV will be back for a 6th season. What I find funny is that we're just *barely* through HALF of a record-breaking fifth season for the show, a sixth season appears to be in the cards, and some people are already predicting it will be canceled after that. Welcome to naysayer mentality two years ago. :rolleyes:

As to running out of ideas, let the writers worry about that. This is Smallville; the writers have the entire Superman history to cull ideas from, not to mention coming up with new stuff on their own. I think running out of ideas is the least of their worries.

[Super_Ludacris]

awful show:down

Not catered for your demographic though

[NHawk19]

This one too: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/11009635/

Hey.. can't hurt, right? :)

How is One Tree Hill winning this?

[Super_Ludacris]

Bigger fanbase maybe *shrug*

[RakuMon]

USA TODAY:

New CW: We'll have to watch and see

Sometimes, fewer is better.
http://images.usatoday.com/life/_photos/2006/01/25/inside-wb-upn.jpg
All together now: Tom Welling, Smallville; Tyler James Williams, Everybody Hates Chris. All together now: Tom Welling, Smallville; Tyler James Williams, Everybody Hates Chris.
UPN

Settling for less appears to be the conventional wisdom on the new CW, the hybrid that will replace CBS' sister network UPN and Warner Bros.' WB next fall. Since most Americans have spent the past 11 years ignoring both networks, news of their merger is not likely to provoke much alarm. (What? No more Cuts?) Still, it's worth considering whether the move benefits viewers as much as CBS and Warner Bros.

It's not at all clear, after all, that viewers have been well served by the consolidation that has put more programming outlets in fewer hands, linking studios to networks and pushing independent producers to the fringe. Producers now have one less buyer to approach — and they already work in a buyer's market.

Still, as is always the case with TV, reality trumps idealism. In the perfect world, there would be enough viewers and advertisers to support six broadcast networks. But Networks 5 and 6 would not be giving us Related and Sex, Love & Secrets. Creativity is a limited resource, and there either wasn't enough in Hollywood, or UPN and WB weren't attractive enough to the best creators. Perhaps one medium-sized network will do a better job of marshalling talent than two small ones did.

It didn't help, of course, that both networks were held hostage by their studio owners: Paramount for UPN, Warner Bros. for WB. Sometimes that worked in the networks' favor, but just as often, it turned them into dumping grounds for studio-produced debris. (Think South Beach, The Mountain.)

How bare are UPN's and WB's cupboards? Consider the initial CW programming list: Beauty and the Geek, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, Supernatural and Reba from WB; America's Next Top Model, Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends and wrestling from UPN. You combine two networks, and you get only 9½ hours of programming, and two of them are wrestling. CW says it plans to program 13.

And that has been the tale of UPN and WB from the start: more promise than programming. UPN launched basically as a way for Paramount to self-syndicate Star Trek: Voyager. WB launched with comedies, many aimed at an African-American audience the network later abandoned to UPN.

True, WB did have its share of shining moments: Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, Dawson's Creek, Felicity and 7th Heaven (a show it says it's canceling because it can't afford to keep it going).

Over the past few years, however, WB has gone into a creative coma, victimized by bad development and other networks targeting its audience. At the same time, UPN has had a tiny revival, thanks to Mars and Model. And even when UPN is awful, which is often, it's at least diverse.

So now we get the best of both in one, and CW does seem to have picked the cream of a limited crop. For the moment, we'll have to be happy with less.

As long as CW knows that eventually we're going to want more.

[NHawk19]

^^You beat me to it.

But I supposed the biggest question is which station will carry what? I wouldnt want to be one of the frachises left in the cold.

[Kaboom]

Somebody asked yesterday which station the new CW would air on in NY. The answer is, the same station The WB currently airs on: WPIX, channel 11. Assuming the time slot isn't changed, aye-freakin'-gain, SV fans in NY won't know anything ever happened. It'll be the same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. (Sorry, couldn't resist LOL).

Okay, collective eye roll please.

Based on Ancier's comments and other op-eds I've read over the last 24 hours, it seems pretty likely SV will be back for a 6th season. What I find funny is that we're just *barely* through HALF of a record-breaking fifth season for the show, a sixth season appears to be in the cards, and some people are already predicting it will be canceled after that. Welcome to naysayer mentality two years ago. :rolleyes:

As to running out of ideas, let the writers worry about that. This is Smallville; the writers have the entire Superman history to cull ideas from, not to mention coming up with new stuff on their own. I think running out of ideas is the least of their worries.

if thats the case, how come we get so many FOTWs? with similar freak powers? unfortunatley i had no been a big fan of the writing until this season. and looking back on 1-4, it makes 5 all the more enjoyable.

[Milkman95]

Somebody asked yesterday which station the new CW would air on in NY. The answer is, the same station The WB currently airs on: WPIX, channel 11. Assuming the time slot isn't changed, aye-freakin'-gain, SV fans in NY won't know anything ever happened. It'll be the same Bat Time, same Bat Channel. (Sorry, couldn't resist LOL).

Okay, collective eye roll please.

Based on Ancier's comments and other op-eds I've read over the last 24 hours, it seems pretty likely SV will be back for a 6th season. What I find funny is that we're just *barely* through HALF of a record-breaking fifth season for the show, a sixth season appears to be in the cards, and some people are already predicting it will be canceled after that. Welcome to naysayer mentality two years ago. :rolleyes:

As to running out of ideas, let the writers worry about that. This is Smallville; the writers have the entire Superman history to cull ideas from, not to mention coming up with new stuff on their own. I think running out of ideas is the least of their worries.

Okay, Mrs. High and Mighty.........:rolleyes:

It's been known for a while now that more than likely, the 6th season will be the last - that's nothing new. In fact, that's what most fans think anyway. Also, I didn't have the privilege (yeah, right...) of posting on the wonderful SV forums until this year, so whatever happened two years ago I could care less about. This forum is very entertaining - let me know when I can have my own opinion, okay Mom?

[user123456789]

what i dont understand is why everyone says WB is a crap network

i thought it was extremely popular... up there with abc nbc cbs etc

[Milkman95]

what i dont understand is why everyone says WB is a crap network

i thought it was extremely popular... up there with abc nbc cbs etc

It's not a crap network, it's just not extremely popular. It's definitely not up there with the major networks........Ratings through January 22nd..........

1. ABC
2. CBS
3. NBC
4. FOX
5. WB
6. UPN

[rumpuso]

Wonder if Everwood will make the cut.

[AgentPat]

if that's the case, how come we get so many FOTWs? with similar freak powers? unfortunately i had no been a big fan of the writing until this season. and looking back on 1-4, it makes 5 all the more enjoyable.The FOTW angle was, in the words of the producers, the "franchise of the show." It's like asking why CSI uses so many stiffs. LOL In earlier seasons, I think the writers were very limited by Warner Features Div in how much direct Superman storylines and characters they were allowed to show. Relations have obviously improved a great deal since then, which is a wonderful thing. The show can be that much richer now that Big Brother isn't hanging over the production with moratoriums like they can't show other Kryptonians (like Jor-El or Brainiac), or Krypton (like in Arrival's flashback scenes), etc.

The writers went into S5 knowing they could turn over a lot of cards because the assumption was this would probably be the last season. Who knew? LOL But I think with the film coming out in June, the writers will be given even more freedom to explore a myriad of story arcs. There's SO many options to pick and chose from. Hopefully, they'll only be limited by their imagination.

It's been known for a while now that more than likely, the 6th season will be the last - that's nothing new.What's "new" is the year. Other than that, you're right, it's nothing new. We go through the same naysaying every season.

In fact, that's what most fans think anyway.Which fans? Buffy fans on K-site? SR fans on the Hype? Fans at the sites Lexlives visits in his head? Gimme a break, Milkman. Fans thought the fourth season would be the last because Welling was fixin' to be... um... preoccupied. LOTS of fans thought that, actually. Didn't happen. Fans then thought the fifth season would be the last because, well, the producers kinda SAID so. Guess what? Looks like Nielsen has other plans. Now fans are saying the sixth season will be it, and we're just barely through half of the fifth season. Jeeze, use some intelligentsia. IF there even IS a 6th season (lets assume there will be), there is NO WAY of predicting what could happen after that. IF the cast is optioned post five, they'll be signing for TWO years, not just one, and IF the 6th season ratings are as good as they are this year (compared to other shows on the same network), there's no reason to think they wouldn't try to go for seven. They'll have the cast signed and committed.

Also, I didn't have the privilege (yeah, right...) of posting on the wonderful SV forums until this year, so whatever happened two years ago I could care less about.Well, I *was* here. I'm just telling you what went down. You may not care about it, but know it did happen, and seeing deja vu opinions every freakin' year is getting old, so expect to see eyeroll responses when it's just the same ole same ole. Just sayin'.

[NHawk19]

They'll have the cast signed and committed.



Well except Schneider he'll be replaced by either Coy or Vance

[AgentPat]

Well except Schneider he'll be replaced by either Coy or VanceLOL! ;)

I wouldn't be surprised if they brought JS back for an episode or two down the road. They brought Whitney back - twice - and it was *after* he was dead. Hee! :D

[Milkman95]

The FOTW angle was, in the words of the producers, the "franchise of the show." It's like asking why CSI uses so many stiffs. LOL In earlier seasons, I think the writers were very limited by Warner Features Div in how much direct Superman storylines and characters they were allowed to show. Relations have obviously improved a great deal since then, which is a wonderful thing. The show can be that much richer now that Big Brother isn't hanging over the production with moratoriums like they can't show other Kryptonians (like Jor-El or Brainiac), or Krypton (like in Arrival's flashback scenes), etc.

The writers went into S5 knowing they could turn over a lot of cards because the assumption was this would probably be the last season. Who knew? LOL But I think with the film coming out in June, the writers will be given even more freedom to explore a myriad of story arcs. There's SO many options to pick and chose from. Hopefully, they'll only be limited by their imagination.

What's "new" is the year. Other than that, you're right, it's nothing new. We go through the same naysaying every season.

Which fans? Buffy fans on K-site? SR fans on the Hype? Fans at the sites Lexlives visits in his head? Gimme a break, Milkman. Fans thought the fourth season would be the last because Welling was fixin' to be... um... preoccupied. LOTS of fans thought that, actually. Didn't happen. Fans then thought the fifth season would be the last because, well, the producers kinda SAID so. Guess what? Looks like Nielsen has other plans. Now fans are saying the sixth season will be it, and we're just barely through half of the fifth season. Jeeze, use some intelligentsia. IF there even IS a 6th season (lets assume there will be), there is NO WAY of predicting what could happen after that. IF the cast is optioned post five, they'll be signing for TWO years, not just one, and IF the 6th season ratings are as good as they are this year (compared to other shows on the same network), there's no reason to think they wouldn't try to go for seven. They'll have the cast signed and committed.

Well, I *was* here. I'm just telling you what went down. You may not care about it, but know it did happen, and seeing deja vu opinions every freakin' year is getting old, so expect to see eyeroll responses when it's just the same ole same ole. Just sayin'.

Yes, every site, message board, general fans, news, etc, etc. points in the direction of Season 6 possibly being the last. That's all I said. If it lasts longer, that's fantastic. Even if the cast signs for TWO more years, that doesn't guarantee the show will last two more years, correct?

Also, a lot of shows go out on top, so just because the ratings are still excellent does not mean they'll automatically do a 7th season. Too many things have to happen besides ratings. Time will tell obviously...........

[Bruce_Wayne29]

My take on the end of the series is that it definitly should end on the 6th season. I want them to go the 6th one because a) I didn't want the movie to end it "just because" and b) because the 6th one could be used to show Clark traveling around the world etc...
But other than that, I don't think they should go beyond 6th it's really stretching it. Now I can see why Pat is saying this. She loves the show, I think 95% of us who post in this board are absolutly crazy in love about this show, so it's natural that in a way we (like Pat) don't want to see it go away just now.
But I also have to side with Milkman in the sense that 6th should be the final one. I think what he said about most fans talking about 6th being the final is not in the sense that they "know" it will be, but that most of them feel that it shouldn't go any further and let's end it with a bang while they're still on top.
Unless, (and that's a big unless) they decide to use the 7th year to be centered around the time AFTER Clark starts to wear the suit, goes to Metropolis and have it centered on his super-adventures there.
That's the only way I can see it happening. Because otherwise for how long will they delay the inevitable ?
Anyway that's just my cents and I don't want to fuel even more heated comments.

[Super_Ludacris]

It's not a crap network, it's just not extremely popular. It's definitely not up there with the major networks........Ratings through January 22nd..........

1. ABC
2. CBS
3. NBC
4. FOX
5. WB
6. UPN


Little suprised NBC overtook Fox but I guess one should never underestimate Earl Hickey, Micheal Scott and JD and Turk eh

[triplet]

You know, I just thought of something... since Smallville will be on a network (starting in September anyway) co-owned by the CBS parent, perhaps Smallville will get some more loving from the two talk shows on the Eye Network, The Late Show With David Letterman and The Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson...

Craig often seems to put on filler guests mined almost exclusively from CBS properties, so maybe my two favorite men on TV (Tom and Craig) may just finally share the screen!

:D :up:

Not that I think Tom (or anyone else on Smallville) should be considered a filler guest, I hope it might get us fans some fresh tape of Smallville's stars.

[rumpuso]

How is One Tree Hill winning this?
I wondered the same thing.

[AgentPat]

For those interested in more of the business end of the WB/UPN merger and its ramifications, here's a lengthy article from today's Daily Variety:


1/25/06

Secret's out as rivals elope
WB, UPN will tie one on
By MICHAEL LEARMONTH

And then there were five

CBS Corp., Warner Bros. Entertainment and Tribune Co. surprised the TV biz Tuesday by shuttering two struggling outlets -- the WB and UPN -- and merging the two into a new -- now fifth -- web called the CW Television Network.

Move will unite shows from both nets -- such as UPN's "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Veronica Mars" and WB's "Gilmore Girls" and "Smallville" -- in a bid to create a dominant player in the 18-34 demo.

"The CW is going to be a real competitor -- a destination for young audiences and diverse audiences and a real favorite among advertisers," said CBS chief exec Leslie Moonves, who made the announcement with Warner Entertainment chairman-CEO Barry Meyer and Tribune Co. CEO Dennis FitzSimons.

New net is structured as a 50-50 joint venture of CBS and Time Warner and will be distributed on CBS- and Tribune-owned stations reaching 95% of the country.

With the announcement, WB chairman Garth Ancier and Frog Entertainment prexy David Janollari are both out of a job.

Dawn Ostroff, current president of UPN, will become prexy of entertainment of the new entity, and WB chief operating officer John Matta will become COO at the new net.

WB sales president Bill Morningstar will assume similar duties at the CW.

In a memo to Frog staffers, Ancier said he will stick around to help with the transition but has opted to depart to focus on new-media ventures.

"I have had the genuine honor of being an architect of two successful startup broadcast networks over the past 20 years and am yearning to try something different," he said.

As for the entertainment presidency, Warner Bros. TV Group prexy Bruce Rosenblum said choosing between Janollari and Ostroff was the merger's "toughest decision."

"We have a great fondness for David," he said. "Dawn has done a great job at UPN, and the decision was for the benefit of the network long term."

It's unclear where Janollari will land, but Rosenblum said he hoped to find a way to keep the exec somewhere in the Warner Bros. camp.

The merger of the two entities --which had been considered off and on since they were both founded in 1995 -- is an admission that while there may be room for a fifth broadcast net, there wasn't enough ratings mojo or advertising dollars for a sixth, especially when both were pursuing the same younger, female audiences.

The WB and UPN came close to merging in 1995 -- even coming up with a plan on how to divide up their stations. But UPN's co-owner at the time, Chris-Craft, nixed the deal. It took 11 years, but the merger finally happened.

Moonves and Meyer began talking about the deal at Thanksgiving, quickly tapping CBS' Nancy Tellem and Rosenblum to spearhead the merger.

"We realized this was a unique moment in time. If we didn't do something now, we'd regret it later," Meyer said.

Execs noted that the timing was serendipitous -- the WB's affil agreement with its chief station group, Tribune, was expiring in August, at the same time UPN's pact with News Corp. -- which owns the net's key stations -- was also up.

Rosenblum said both sides realized that there was ultimately only room for a fifth net.

"The opportunity to build a true fifth network and make it competitive with the Big Four is an opportunity neither company wanted to pass up," he said.

The merger confirms rumors that had been swirling for months that Warner Bros. had been looking to merge the WB with another operation (Daily Variety, Dec. 19). Speculation had previously focused on a strategic alliance with a net such as ABC or NBC or merging back-door duties with Warner Bros. TV.

"We explored a lot of different business arrangements," Rosenblum confirmed.

Meyer said that while he never contemplated shutting down the Frog, "We were looking at cutting back original programming (and running) more repeats."

Meyer, Moonves, Tellem and Rosenblum have known one another for decades, dating back to when they were all execs at Warner Bros.

Close relationships between CBS and WB suits will help, but Meyer said "some structural answers" were built into the deal to help avoid potential problems.

For one thing, any shows from Warner Bros. TV or CBS Par Network TV will immediately become co-productions if greenlit to series. Studio that developed it will take the lead in producing.

What's more, "If we ever have an irreconcilable difference, we have set up (a system for) binding arbitration," Meyer said. "It's draconian, but it's the surest way to ensure we never have to use it. It's not something we're worried about."

Tellem said that while the CW will operate as a stand-alone net, CBS will give guidance to the new net in areas such as marketing, research and business affairs -- though she said the new net will not use the Eye's infrastructure.

Both UPN and the WB targeted young female viewers, but UPN skewed more toward urban viewers with its Monday comedy block targeted at African-American viewers, while the WB skewed more suburban. Both have significant audience overlap, as well as significant challenges. Neither was profitable.

"This new network makes sound business and creative sense at every level -- for our viewers, advertisers, affiliates and for the shareholders of our companies," Meyer said.

Net will be staffed by a combination of UPN and WB execs, and an undisclosed number at their respective Brentwood and Burbank headquarters will be laid off as a result of the merger.

The CW also plans to build a new HQ rather than move into either existing digs.

Going forward, network management will have to start making some tough decisions on whom to take along to the CW.

"Hopefully, it will be a blend of best of senior executives of both networks," Rosenblum said.

Move comes as the WB has struggled in the ratings and watched as UPN -- the perennial sixth place net --targeted its young, female demo and moved ahead of it in the ratings.

But with merged schedules, Ostroff said the network will have a No. 1 or No. 2 show each night in the 18-34 demo, making the CW a bigger player in the battle for advertising dollars.

"I think what people are going to find is all the programming appealing to this one demo is now going to be under one roof," Ostroff said. "It's going to be one-stop shopping."

As for the name itself, the execs said they weren't married to the CW -- and that the network moniker could change before its September launch.

Tribune's 22.5% stake in the WB will be liquidated when the weblet is shuttered in exchange for a 10-year affiliation agreement for Tribune's 14 former WB stations.

The shutdown of the UPN and the WB will set affiliates not owned by CBS or Tribune scrambling. Fox TV Stations Group owns nine UPN affils -- including WWOR in Gotham, KCOP in L.A. and Chicago's WPWR -- and will have to find other sources of programming for the fall.

The new CW execs expect to have a schedule ready to present to advertisers at the May upfront negotiations, where broadcasters make bids for roughly 80% of their advertising for the coming year.

But advertisers cautioned that there's no way to know whether viewers will follow their shows to a new network and what the impact of mixing the two will be on audiences.

"Advertisers are obsessed with the young demos," said Brad Adgate, senior VP of research at Horizon Media. "If they can keep the core viewers that the two networks enjoyed, advertisers and viewers will be happy with that."

The subtraction of a network will also reduce the amount of commercial inventory for sale, which may benefit network ad rates or accelerate migration of dollars to cable.

The co-ownership structure has plenty of precedence. But most 50/50 partnerships have fizzled through the years, as two competing congloms usually wind up at odds over their differing agendas.

Chris-Craft and Viacom got into a legal tussle over the ownership of UPN before Viacom finally took it on solo; other nets with two parents, such as USA Network and Comedy Central, also saw those arrangements come to a close eventually.

But Rosenblum said he doesn't think the CW will encounter that same kind of dysfunctional ownership.

"There are a handful of things that make this different," he said. "We have a close alignment of interests -- a desire to service content for both CBS Corp. and Warner Bros."

(Josef Adalian and Michael Schneider in Hollywood contributed to this report.)


http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&a=VR1117936727&c=18

[Spaceballs]

I just hope these guys dont do anything & team up with Networks say FOX if this Network is a Success. Now if only they can team up with ABC. Would be great all my shows one Network :up: But NEVER team up with FOX. They live to cancel good shows

[Super_Ludacris]

The tweens are watching it

[RakuMon]

For those of you who're interested, Defamer has the contents of Garth Ancier's memo to fellow WB employees:

http://www.defamer.com/hollywood/warner-bros/making-the-cw-garth-ancier-says-goodbye-to-the-wb-150505.php
Dear Colleague,

A few moments ago in New York at a joint press conference, Warner Bros., CBS Broadcasting, and The Tribune Company announced the formation of a new broadcast network that will launch in September ’06.

This new and historic venture will be an equal partnership between Warner Bros. and CBS Broadcasting, and will draw upon the best programs, stations, and executive minds from both The WB Television Network and UPN. The company will be called The CW Television Network, reflecting the monikers of the corporate partners.

Indeed, three talented executives are named in today’s announcement, which you just received from Barry Meyer. They are John Maatta, who will be Chief Operating Officer, Dawn Ostroff, who will serve as President of Entertainment, and Bill Morningstar, who will lead Sales. John and Dawn will report to a board of directors equally drawn from Warner Bros. and CBS Broadcasting.

As Dawn and John select their new team, I am confident that you will find many, many longtime colleagues from The WB serving with them.

The decision to combine the best of these networks was not made lightly. We all realized that in today’s more competitive environment for all broadcasters and networks, neither The WB or UPN could reach the ambitious goals we had collectively envisioned when the two networks launched 11 years ago this month.

By contrast, all of us believe that The CW can grow into a fully competitive fifth network. Moreover, we felt that the opportunity to do this now – while both The WB and UPN could both provide rich program assets and solid balance sheets to draw upon – was too compelling an opportunity to overlook.

Late this afternoon, upon their return from New York, Barry Meyer and Bruce Rosenblum will be here at the ranch to answer your questions.

As for myself, while I have been actively engaged in forming this new venture – and am excited by the exhilarating times that lie ahead for many of you - I had made clear to Barry Meyer and Bruce Rosenblum early in the discussions my desire to explore and expand my own experiences in this new age of digital opportunity. I have had the genuine honor of being an architect of two successful start-up broadcast networks over the past 20 years, and am yearning to try something different.

I will, however, continue to manage The WB with you over the coming months, and that leads me to perhaps the most important part of this note.

All of us at The WB need to keep this network as vibrant as it has always been at serving the American public from today through the launch of the new network this fall. We have exciting programs like “PEPPER DENNIS” to launch, new pilots like “AQUAMAN” to develop, immensely popular series like “SMALLVILLE” and “GILMORE GIRLS” to protect, and farewells to audience favorites like “7th HEAVEN” to manage. We will need all of you to keep your focus on these critical goals through September.

A final note, a bit more personal. I recognize that there is an inevitable emotional sadness to ending The WB Television Network. We have accomplished much over these past 11 years. We have put more series into successful syndication than just about any other network during this period, helped launch the careers of countless feature film stars, and built an American brand that is ubiquitous. We all did this together, and we should be genuinely proud of these accomplishments.

I believe that history will look very kindly on the little network that, against all odds, beckoned us to move to Dawson’s idyllic Creek, be a part of the Camden family, believe in the power of 3 Charmed sisters, gave us the chance to watch Clark Kent grow up, hunt vampires with Buffy and Angel, go to college with Felicity, see ourselves in the father/son and mother/daughter relationships of Everwood and Star’s Hollow, and laugh with Reba, Jamie, Steve and the Mowry twins. It has been quite a ride.

The new network announced today would certainly not have been possible without the accomplishments and legacy of The WB Television Network.

With gratitude,

Garth Ancier

Chairman

The WB Television Network

[Super_Ludacris]

The frog is the main course in a french restaraunt this winter....

[Serene]

I'm not sure which thread is most appropriate for this one.. but we'll try this one.:)
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/thr/television/feature_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001918697

Again.. I think they are mistaken in one part. Unless I'm unaware of Tom appearing in "Chasing Amy".. I think they meant "Judging Amy," and I have no clue where the cute pizza boy reference came from..

"When Tom Welling walked into the casting office, all we had was a tape where he played the cute pizza boy in (the 1997 movie) 'Chasing Amy,' I think it was," Tollin says. "He had a sparkle and charm and a screen presence, but he was a little concerned with diving in and playing a young Superman because, let's face it, this town is littered with people who have taken that on and found it was a dead end. To his credit, he wasn't a young actor who got stars in his eyes and said, 'This is my shot' -- we had to talk him into the role."

[Assassin]

It better be on my dish company, or i'm changing my provider.

[rumpuso]

Thanks for posting that Serene. I hadn't seen that quote before, nor did I realize Tom was a pizza boy in 'Chasing Amy'. Hmmmm. He certainly seems like a humble, amazing person.

[Super_Ludacris]

It look likes he was in Chasing Amy in a cameo.......to think at the time that was made the director Kevin Smith was writing the script for the aborted Superman Lives movie....

[AgentPat]

http://www.patcostello.com/smileys/confused.gif

I *think* they're referring to "Judging Amy." Welling was barely 20 years old when that film was shot. He was still modeling at the time, unless I'm mistaken.

Where's James? :p

[The Incredible Hulk]

Welling was not in Chasing Amy, I've seen that movie about 100 times (grew up right next to Red Bank, NJ) and surely wouldve noticed him of all people. He was a karate instructor on "Judging Amy" not the pizza guy. LOL :D

[Super_Ludacris]

I thought maybe they were right, it did come out in 97 but I guess not

[RakuMon]

Some more fallout about the CW merger from Variety. Also, a bit of info on just how much SV means to WB affiliates. The other interesting bit is that 'The CW' might still get a new name:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117936854?categoryid=14&cs=1

Fallout for Fox
CW birth raises affil questions

By ELIZABETH GUIDER, JOHN DEMPSEY

The smoke hasn't yet cleared, but already stations, producers and syndicators are coming to grips with the fallout from Tuesday's stunning announcement of a hookup between the WBthe WB and UPNUPN netlets.

So all eyes Wednesday were on Fox, the company most affected by the CW deal announced Tuesday.

Execs at that company were practically invisible Wednesday in Vegas, but that didn't keep the NATPE floor from speculating on what might happen next.

The powerful station group now under the direct control of Murdoch maven Roger Ailes will lose nine UPN affiliates in top-25 markets including New York, Los Angeles and Chicago -- and how those stations get rebranded, reprogrammed and repitched to advertisers is the quandary of the hour, almost certainly through the May sweeps.

"It doesn't seem sensible to promote a network that no longer exists, so there is no point in our spending money to brand it," said News Corp. spokesman Andrew Butcher.

Fox had other reasons to be infuriated about being left in the dark about the tie-up.

Had the station group known it would suddenly need programming, it might have stepped up just last week and bought the rights to "American Idol Rewind," the syndiesyndie hybrid being pitched by distribdistrib Tribune. As it turned out, Fox threw in its hand and the project went to the Tribune stations.

Smaller stations were variously irked as well, with many around the country pulling their UPN and WB logos from the screen Wednesday and scratching the logo from their promotional materials.

Hearst-Argyle KQCA in Sacramento -- one of the top-rated WB affils -- put out a "to hell with the WB" statement Wednesday.

"The strength of KQCA is not solely dependent on the WB Network programming for success. We will develop a new strategy for the station, which will include new programming, new content and anew station identity," said general manager Elliott Troshinsky.

As for how to turn the disenfranchisement into an opportunity, syndicators large and small mulled their options on Wednesday.

Among the more likely scenarios:

Ailes will finally manage to expand the capacity of the Fox news machine and program news and information in primetime on those newly disenfranchised stations.

Or Fox's distribution sibling Twentieth TV could jump in with its English-lingo trio of telenovelas, offering them as a one-hour primetime strip. Along with the sudsers, Twentieth could provide a second daily run of its court shows "Judge Alex" and "Divorce Court" in the other primetime hour.

Obviously other syndicators -- most pertinently Sony, which by law can't own its own station group -- want to get in on the action as well.

A meeting already is scheduled for Monday between Sony toppers, including production-distribution bigwig Steve Mosko, and the Fox phalanx, captained by Ailes and station group head Jack Abernathy.

Sony boasts a 7,000-title inventory of movies, as well as innumerable dramas and laffers in development that could be fast-tracked for these nine stations.

Idea here would be that the programming provided to these nine influential Fox stations would be picked up by the 150-odd other dispossessed stations, which were formerly either branded as WB outlets or UPN affils.

"What does all this mean for us?" was the most common question heard among station execs as the news of their changed status hit home.

Not that there was panic, because stations traditionally buy and shelve more than they can ever utilize on air.

"I expect we'll see a lot of 4 p.m. shows get an upgrade to primetime," is how one station programmer put it Wednesday.

Indies, too, are bent on getting in on the action.

Carsey-Werner, one of the few remaining viable indie distribs in the bizbiz, already is thinking about offering "That '70s Show""That '70s Show" as a primetime fix for one night.

"FX is the model for vertically playing 'That '70s Show,' " said C-W distrib prexyprexy Jim Kraus. "On most Fridays in primetime it beats other shows on three broadcast nets in males. If it works for FX, it should work for these newly minted indies."

Amusingly, the newly styled UPN-WB fifth network is dubbed CW, which could be confused with both Carsey-Werner and the country-western niche. Bets are on that the name will be changed by the summer, as other elements of the new network come into focus.

For the disenfranchised, losing the cachet of shows like "Smallville""Smallville" (on the WB) and "Everybody Hates Chris" (on UPN) to the new CW network may not be as debilitating as it seems at first.

Ad spots in "Desire" or "That '70s Show" wouldn't go for the same advertising dollars that "Smallville" commands, but as indies, these stations would retain more advertising time to sell. There'd be no split with the network, because their network has vanished.

The next few months will see a lot of horse-trading as to which station in a given market actually ends up as the CW affilaffil and which becomes the neo-indie.

In Kansas City, for example, Hearst-Argyle operates a UPN affil and Meredith owns a WB affil. That Meredith owns six other CBS affils could end up the decisive factor.

But it could also come down to cash. "Who's going to give me the most money in a market?" speculated one station exec.

Small operators -- those with just a few UPN or WB affil in tiny markets -- could end up muscled out and will see their programming costs rise if they operate as indie stations. They also will see their market cap fall, as indie status is not the same as affil status in the eyes of investors.

What all this will do for stations that are planning to be bought or sold is even dicier.

[Super_Ludacris]

http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzz_log/?fr=fp-buzz-more

[rumpuso]

Ouch! That Yahoo article isn't so great.

[NHawk19]

In any case SV appears to be safe lets hope it remains as such.

[mellyM]

Welling was not in Chasing Amy, I've seen that movie about 100 times (grew up right next to Red Bank, NJ) and surely wouldve noticed him of all people. He was a karate instructor on "Judging Amy" not the pizza guy. LOL :D
Maybe he meant the Frat guy on Undeclared? I have no idea, lol

[avidreader]

Raku have you got double jinxed gremlins in your computer today? :rolleyes:

[RakuMon]

A perfect example of how the WB/UPN merger will help show like Smallville.
From the Richmond Times Dispatch:

http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle%2FRTD_BasicArti cle&c=MGArticle&cid=1137833629003&path=!business&s=1045855934855
Merger to bring WB to area TV
Struggling network will unite with UPN to form CW this fall

BY DOUGLAS DURDEN
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER

Jan 25, 2006

Great news, Richmond TV viewers. We're finally getting the WB, or, rather, what's left of it after the WB and UPN networks merge.

CBS, which owns UPN, and Warner Bros., which owns the majority stake in WB, announced yesterday that the two mini-nets would merge, with a new network -- CW -- to launch this fall.

Initially, the new network will air 30 hours of programming, half of it aimed at young or teen viewers to air Saturday mornings and weekday and Sunday afternoons. CW's prime time will consist of 8 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday and three hours on Sunday nights.

Currently, UPN airs 10 hours of prime time; WB, 15 hours. Obviously, not all shows will make the cut.

Though UPN and the WB went on the air 11 years ago, they have been unable to make much of a dent against the more established networks.

In announcing the merger, executives didn't identify which shows from each network would be part of the new CW.

But specific shows were mentioned as assets, according to Gerald Walsh, general manager of Richmond's UPN affiliate, WUPV-Channel 65.

Included were UPN's "America's Next Top Model," "Girlfriends," "Veronica Mars," and "Friday Night SmackDown!" and the WB's "Beauty and the Geek," "Smallville," "Gilmore Girls," "Supernatural" and "Reba."

In TV markets that have both UPN and WB affiliates, the merger will leave one station as an independent and scrambling for programs.

That's not the case here.

Richmond has a UPN affiliate but has been without a primary WB affiliate since 1997, when Channel 65 switched affiliation from WB to UPN.

WWBT-Channel 12, Rich- mond's NBC affiliate, carries most of WB's schedule late night or early morning, making WB hits like "Smallville" and "Gilmore Girls" difficult to locate.

Barry Meyer, the head of Warner Bros., said at a news conference his company had anticipated a "challenged" environment ahead for smaller networks, and said the new venture had a good chance of being profitable as soon as it launches. He said the companies would operate more efficiently as one, but he declined to say how much savings they expected to get or how many jobs might be cut.

"Looking down the road, this was much better than keeping UPN alive," Leslie Moonves, the chief executive of CBS, said. CBS became a separate company from Viacom Inc., the owner of MTV and VH1, at the beginning of the year.

"Without a question, it's a win for Richmond," Walsh said. Though it's too soon for CW to announce its new affiliates, Walsh is confident Channel 65 will be among them.

"We're the fifth signal, and there's nowhere else to go," said Walsh, referring to Richmond's CBS, ABC, NBC and Fox affiliates as the four other signals. "We're the only broadcast alternative, and we have a long and prosperous relationship with Viacom and UPN.

"We believe we have the ability to move forward as that affiliate. We think it's a great opportunity. UPN is lighter in the amount of hours. So this will add depth. We're being told it's going to be the best of WB and UPN -- a supernetwork."

CBS shares rose $1.08, or 4 percent, to $26.90 in trading yesterday on the New York Stock Exchange. Time Warner's shares rose 18 cents, or 1.1 percent, to $17.27.

Contact staff writer Douglas Durden at ddurden@timesdispatch.com or (804) 649-6359.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.

[avidreader]

Looks like they're confident in being picked up.

Season 5 of Smallville will end with another cliffhanger, executive producer Al Gough told The Continuum.

The show, coming off its 100th episode on Thursday, has ended each season with a cliffhanger.

Smallville hasn't officially been renewed yet, but figures to be back for a sixth season on the new merged network, The CW.

"If we have a cliffhanger and don't get picked up, it will be terribly frustrating," Gough said, laughing. "But we're going in with that assumption (of Season 6). That's our plan."

Asked about more DC Comics characters appearing on Smallville after Cyborg's appearance in February, Gough replied, "There may be someone in the season finale."

In other Smallville notes:

* James Marsters' Brainiac will return beginning in the season's 16th episode. "His nefarious plan to release Zod from the Phantom Zone has not seen its last day," Gough said.

* Dean Cain, who starred in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, still looms as a possible guest-star, Gough said.

"There have been a lot of rumors about him," Gough said. "We continue to talk to Dean. Again, we don't want to bring anybody on to the show until we can find the right role. We don't want to have them on just to have them on. Will it happen this season? I don't know, perhaps. It's something we're always talking about."

* Look for some synergy with the upcoming Superman Returns movie this spring, perhaps in the form of a preview like the Batman Begins preview with Season 4's finale. "I know the network is talking with the film side," Gough said. "If we can make it happen, that'd be great."

[AgentPat]

Two interesting articles from B&C...

The Math Behind The CW
Does combining two struggling networks equal one success?
By John M. Higgins -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/30/2006

Time Warner is the largest media company, not just in the country but in the entire world. Its Warner Bros. Television dominates the TV-production industry, supplying more shows to broadcast networks than anyone. Yet, for all that clout, Time Warner executives couldn't manage to successfully program The WB for two prime time hours, six nights a week.

Viacom and its new spawn, CBS Corp., are smaller but did no better with UPN.

After a decade on the air, the networks are folding, with the pieces combined into a new channel, The CW network.

The inability of such powerful companies to make even modest channels work on the air speaks volumes about the state of TV networks. Consolidation is a classic response of companies stuck in a mature business, and every network is stuck. The broadcast networks' revenue growth averaged an unimpressive 4% over the past five years, and the next five look no better. If the ad market is slow and programmers can't chisel audience from rivals, combining operations is often the only way to squeeze some earnings growth.

"A major, major change"

Irwin Gottlieb was a little bit alarmed by the shrinking number of major broadcast networks. The CEO of Group M - who controls ad-buying firms that spend $20 billion of clients' ad dollars - suggests rewinding five years: "Would you have ever contemplated that we're going from six networks to five, instead of going from six networks to seven? We haven't taken a step back in a long time. We've always moved ahead."

He adds, "For the first time, we are contemplating the ability to economically produce content for six networks; we are clearly questioning the ability of the [ad] market to support six networks. That's a major, major change."

Univision and Pax would no doubt object to their exclusion from Gottlieb's network headcount. (Indeed, Univision instantly protested The CW proclaiming itself "the fifth network" since the Spanish-language network's audience already exceeds both The WB's and UPN's.) But Gottlieb's point is clear: Broadcasters' profits are imperiled, nibbled away by cable and further threatened as viewers and advertisers are distracted by the Web.

CBS and Time Warner will be 50-50 partners in The CW, but no money changes hands. Tribune Co. will surrender its 22% stake in The WB (which analysts believed was worthless, anyway) in exchange for an affiliation agreement to The CW for 16 of its old WB stations. CBS Corp. CEO Leslie Moonves says CBS' Paramount Television and Warner Bros. will co-produce programming that appears on CW.

The deal may initially look like a merger of The WB and UPN, but it's carefully crafted in a different way. The two networks are being shut down and some of their assets drawn upon to create what CBS and Time Warner tout as "the new fifth network." That's more than mere hype. Executives believe that closing the old networks frees them of obligations to angry former WB and UPN affiliates not chosen for The CW. That's a contentious issue roiling station groups, even big ones like Fox TV Stations.

The deal is being driven by years of losses. The WB and UPN were launched for the same reason, providing a TV platform for their studio parents. Executives at Warner Bros. and UPN parent Paramount worried that loosening federal rules would have the networks developing more of their own entertainment programming or strong-arming studios for a big piece of backend sales. So The WB and UPN were started to ensure that the studios' TV factories always had a ready outlet.

But it has been an expensive outlet. Securities filings show that The WB has burned through about $600 million; Morgan Stanley media analyst Rich Bilotti estimates that UPN has lost at least $500 million. The studios have had few giant hits to make up those losses through syndication or DVD sales.

Without detailing any numbers, Moonves says, "These two networks would have closed or would have continued to stumble along." But by cherry-picking the strongest shows - like The WB's Smallville and Gilmore Girls plus UPN's Veronica Mars and America's Next Top Model - The CW should be profitable from the start.

"You keep the best of both networks," Moonves says. "That's a pretty good way to start a network."

However, there is no guarantee that combining the leavings of two troubled networks will breed success.

Is cable next?

Moonves dismisses the notion that the deal is driven by maturity of the whole broadcast-network sector. These netlets aren't in decline; they never really gelled to begin with as they fought it out behind the Big Four networks.

"Five networks was probably the right number of networks all along, even way back when," Moonves says.

Perhaps. But maybe broadcast networks are simply in the same maturity slump that's gripping TV stations. Local broadcasters are stuck with average revenue growth around 4%, and there's no end in sight. Station groups generally complain that ownership restrictions - particularly those limiting duopolies - keep them from following the natural course, consolidation.

That's the path you see in slow-growth industries around the country from department stores to telephone companies.

Could cable programming be next? Major basic networks are generally growing now, but the easiest gains are from increasing distribution and raising license fees paid by cable and DBS operators. Meanwhile, smaller networks peck away at the top 10 channels, limiting their audience and advertising growth.

Nobody likes to grow old.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6302852.html

A New Script
How CBS and Time Warner Brass plan to build The CW
By Ben Grossman -- Broadcasting & Cable, 1/30/2006

Dawn Ostroff’s life took a dramatic turn on Jan. 24.

That’s when the rest of the world found out what the UPN president had known for a while: The WB and UPN would become one network, and she would be a big part of it.

Now that the secret is out, the CW entertainment president plans to assemble a team of executives and develop a strategy the new crew can execute in a reasonable time. Next, she’ll identify pilots for the new network’s first development slate. Perhaps just as important as the quality of the product is the brand, which has to be crafted from scratch and then sold to two sets of constituents: advertisers in May, the viewers leading up to the fall launch.

And it all has to happen fast. May and the upfronts are only three months away. Between now and then, Ostroff, who was promoted to UPN president in February 2005, will try to build a schedule that will specifically target the 18-34 demo, something both The WB and UPN shows did with only modest success.

The schedule for now is up for grabs. As much as 10 hours of the 13-hour prime time schedule will be made up of current UPN and WB hits. Ostroff likes her Monday UPN lineup, which includes Girlfriends and One on One, so a slate of African-American-targeted comedies is a good bet. New CW ad-sales chief Bill Morningstar, who will join from The WB, which skewed to a younger audience, likes the idea of an all-African-American night. "I think it is a really smart programming strategy," he says.
Female-friendly Nights

Morningstar says he can envision a female-friendly Tuesday and Wednesday. For instance, a Veronica Mars/Gilmore Girls night makes sense, but don’t expect Ostroff to commute the death sentence for 7th Heaven, which she knows lost $16 million this season.

Thursdays could begin a shift to a male audience. With Smallville the top-rated 18-34 show in its time slot, keeping it on Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET would make sense, with thriller Supernatural a nice fit at 9. That would mean moving comedy Everybody Hates Chris to another night. Wherever it goes, Ostroff’s chief developmental task will be finding a companion piece for the sitcom. She says she may be looking for a single-camera comedy to go with Chris.

The male-centric Thursday would be helpful for promoting Friday night - a relatively safe bet to be filled with a two-hour WWE Smackdown!, which worked well on a night in which The WB struggled.

Sunday is decidedly up in the air, with an all-reality night a possibility up against ABC’s powerful lineup and NBC’s football in the fall. Ostroff has such assets as America’s Top Model and Beauty and the Geek in her reality arsenal, although Top Model may work better on one of the female-themed nights.

Although a network’s shows drive a brand, no new network has a second chance to make a good first impression. The first decision will be what to call the network. A name and logo were unveiled last week, but it was hard to find an executive from either camp who would guarantee that one or both would still be around in the fall. "A lot of this was put together [quickly], and we hope 'The CW’ will be the name of the network," says Ostroff, adding, "but anything could happen."

Whatever the logo looks like, the message will have to be crystal clear in a cluttered market: The CW is selling a network targeting 18- to 34-year-olds. And with a decidedly young target, marketing brass will have to be nimble about going to wherever the demo spends its time. "Whether it’s People magazine or someone’s blog, we’ll need to be there," says CBS Marketing Group President George Schweitzer.

While the shows will bring a modest built-in audience and upgrading affiliates in certain markets will help, Schweitzer is also bullish about the combination of CBS’ media properties and Warner Bros.’ sales prowess. "Between our media power and their entertainment-marketing experience on the theatrical side and with home video," he says, "there is a lot going on."
Parental Help

The new network will tap its parents’ assets for help. Field reps for CBS’ recently acquired College Sports TV network will be asked to do viral marketing for The CW, including setting up screenings for programming.

Morningstar, who has been with The WB since its inception in 1995, will have the chance to go back to what his network got away from: pinpointing the young demo. "We’ll go in under the traditional networks from a competitive standpoint and chasing viewers and marketing. There is a huge generation coming in, the babies of baby boomers."

Morningstar estimates that The WB and UPN combined took in about $900 million in upfront ad revenues this year but adds that it’s too early to guess how much of that the new network can retain come spring.

Ad buyers see an opportunity for the new network to re-focus on the target audience that The WB had let slip away when it tried to broaden its audience recently. "It’s imperative it stays 18-34," says Steve Grubbs, CEO of media-buying agency PHD North America. "That’s where the opportunity is."

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6302850.html

[KalKai]

Supernatural moving to Thursday night's starting March 16.

http://tvguide.com/news/entertainment/

WB SHAKES THINGS UP: To hell with waiting for the CW. WB has gone ahead and announced several midseason schedule changes, including the oft-predicted relocation of Supernatural to Thursdays at 9 pm/ET, where it will follow Smallville (beginning March 16).

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/pr.cgi?id=20060131wb02

Replacing BEAUTY AND THE GEEK on Thursdays will be SUPERNATURAL, beginning March 16 (9:00-10:00_ p.m. ET). This move should advantage the first-year hit, pairing it with the compatible and über-successful SMALLVILLE (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET), which is enjoying its best season ever, both creatively and in the ratings.

[The Incredible Hulk]

yeah as the season has worn on, I had a feeling that was coming. Supernatural isnt a bad little show, I just always forgot when the hell it was on. I have a feeling a lot of people did the same. Only problem with it on Thurs at 9 PM now is that it's up against My Name is Earl and The Office....

Another thing, is that I think Smallville may still be on it's second hiatus on March 16th. They usually break for most of March and the first couple weeks of April, and then run the table with new eps until right before Memorial Day. Who knows though? Maybe the "24 episodes" that Gough talked about wasnt a mixup :confused:

[Serene]

yeah as the season has worn on, I had a feeling that was coming. Supernatural isnt a bad little show, I just always forgot when the hell it was on. I have a feeling a lot of people did the same. Only problem with it on Thurs at 9 PM now is that it's up against My Name is Earl and The Office....
I'll probably Tivo SV, Earl, and The Office, and watch Supernatural live.

I'm happy about this switch. There are SO many crossover fans for SV and Supernatural.

[The Incredible Hulk]

I'll probably Tivo SV, Earl, and The Office, and watch Supernatural live.

I'm happy about this switch. There are SO many crossover fans for SV and Supernatural.

Tivo SMallville without watching it live? :eek: :confused: Blasphemy! ;)

[Serene]

Tivo SMallville without watching it live? :eek: :confused: Blasphemy! ;)

Oh no. I ALWAYS Tivo and watch it live. Then watch it again later.

I'm a good, if not slightly obsessive, fan. :)

[triplet]

Damn if I won't be able to watch it live again anytime in the near future thanks to my job at the TV station...

[triplet]

There is a new article on the first victim of the CW thingy....

http://www.backstage.com/bso/news_reviews/multimedia/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001921410&imw=Y

Matthew Bohmer might be familiar to you, for those of you who are veterans of the casting wars. His name was bandied about at one time for the SR role.

I was looking forward to that, but here's hoping that it could be pick up a pilot order for a different network for next year's pilot season.

This article also says that the Millar/Gough Ink developed Aquaman show is unaffected by the merger of the two netlets:

The other drama pilot ordered by WB before the announcement about the shutdown of the two baby networks, the high-profile "Aquaman," is not affected and is moving forward.

The WBTV-produced "Aquaman," from "Smallville" executive producers-showrunners Miles Millar and Alfred Gough, is based on the DC Comics character.

[RakuMon]

More CW coverage at USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-04-03-save-our-shows_x.htm

CW has the most whittling to do, paring WB and UPN's combined 23 hours of programming down to 13. Only Gilmore Girls, Smallville and Everybody Hates Chris, along with reality series Beauty and the Geek and America's Next Top Model, are guaranteed spots.

"We have some big decisions walking into our scheduling meetings with as few holes as we have," CW president Dawn Ostroff says. She has one series, Veronica Mars, that fits a typical bubble-show pattern seen last year in Arrested Development: a show the network believes in creatively, that's beloved by a loyal following, but with too few viewers to make it a slam-dunk. In its second season, Mars has been unable to benefit from a berth behind UPN's No. 1 show, America's Next Top Model. But its critical chops make chances for renewal better than even, and Mars fans are rallying around the show.

[Super_Ludacris]

I could have sworn there was another article that said other shows (mostly WB ones like One Tree Hill and Supernatural) were secured for next season too

[BareKnucklez]

lol you guys understand that this could mean that Smallville's Ratings will go thru the roof!!

[GothicPowerMix1]

lol you guys understand that this could mean that Smallville's Ratings will go thru the roof!!

Especially with a Show like Supernatural after it :up:

[AgentPat]

More CW coverage at USA Today:

http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-04-03-save-our-shows_x.htm

CW has the most whittling to do, paring WB and UPN's combined 23 hours of programming down to 13. Only Gilmore Girls, Smallville and Everybody Hates Chris, along with reality series Beauty and the Geek and America's Next Top Model, are guaranteed spots.

"We have some big decisions walking into our scheduling meetings with as few holes as we have," CW president Dawn Ostroff says. She has one series, Veronica Mars, that fits a typical bubble-show pattern seen last year in Arrested Development: a show the network believes in creatively, that's beloved by a loyal following, but with too few viewers to make it a slam-dunk. In its second season, Mars has been unable to benefit from a berth behind UPN's No. 1 show, America's Next Top Model. But its critical chops make chances for renewal better than even, and Mars fans are rallying around the show.There's some interesting banter volleying back and forth over on Usenet (http://groups.google.com/group/rec.arts.tv/browse_frm/thread/b7113ab08b5921b7?). Most folks think CW will leave SV and SN on Thursday nights assuming a don't-fix-it, it-aint-broke mentality. But others are citing counter programing, and the possible addition of Mercy Reef as throwing a monkey wrench into the soup. Sunday is the only night of the week that has a 3 hour time slot. If CW picks up Aquadude, and they want to keep their genre programming together on one night (comedies, reality wheel, sci-fi/fantasy, etc.), they may decide to sked the entire block to Sundays:

7:00: Supernatural
8:00: Smallville
9:00: Mercy Reef

Hmmm. Not sure I like that idea. Aquadude could re-heeely foul things up for SV. http://www.patcostello.com/smileys/ohwell.gif

[GothicPowerMix1]

7:00: Supernatural
8:00: Smallville
9:00: Mercy Reef

If ABC can have

Lost at 9
Invasion at 10

The CW can do something similiar :o

[KalKai]

Stop using that smiley Dnsk, lol.

[AgentPat]

Stop using that smiley Dnsk, lol.Sooooooo tempted to look, but it's probably best to keep the ole pressure at 120 over 80. :p ;)

[Kaboom]

if they do mve sv to sunday it better not conflict wit entourage or greys, thankfully sopranos will be done by then

[GothicPowerMix1]

Stop using that smiley Dnsk, lol.

:o:o:o:o:o:o

[AgentPat]

if they do mve sv to sunday it better not conflict wit entourage or greys, thankfully sopranos will be done by thenMy fear is that it wouldn't do as well on Sundays as it has on Thursdays. They hit gold with it in its current time slot, and SN is holding a decent percentage of viewers as a lead out. When you find something that works and works well, for goodness sakes, don't "fix" it LOL.

[Serene]

My fear is that it wouldn't do as well on Sundays as it has on Thursdays. They hit gold with it in its current time slot, and SN is holding a decent percentage of viewers as a lead out. When you find something that works and works well, for goodness sakes, don't "fix" it LOL.

I agree! Moving out of its current successful time slot is a huge crapshoot. Why chance it? I hope they keep it right where it is, with Supernatural following it. If they want to throw Aquadude on after that, fine.. but that might be too late a timeslot for a show like that.

[AgentPat]

I agree! Moving out of its current successful time slot is a huge crapshoot. Why chance it? I hope they keep it right where it is, with Supernatural following it. If they want to throw Aquadude on after that, fine.. but that might be too late a timeslot for a show like that.They won't. There's no such thing as a 10pm slot for CW right now. They only have 13 hours of prime time - three hours (7-9) on Sundays, and two hours (8-9) Monday - Friday. If they pick up Aquadude, it's going to have to fit into one of those slots. Local and affiliate programming goes everywhere else.

[NateGray]

Did I say it would take focus off Clark you a$$hole?

Look again. I said it would be a stupid storyline and a disservice to Lois and Lana's characters. I know reading is a challenging task for you...but try.

Im not a pervert like you, I know it wouldnt be in the best interests of the show to implement such a storyline. And the reason you cant objectify your perversion from what works for the series is obvious, youre not getting any.

So dont take out your sexual frustration on me.

I have spoken.

Yes and we care what you say why?????
You have spoken good for you.

You who just wanted the whole WB to go away and with it SV and again we care about whatever you say why????

Yet you are worried about the characters and how they are potrayed on a show you admit yu don't even like.... on a network you just want gone....

And lastly it was a frellin joke you moron the lana lois lesbian lovers comment.
Yet you went right into serious mode on how it will ruin those characters on that show on that network that you like none of.

No need for this comment bad form on my part....

[Kaboom]

LUDA.......you got any of that popcorn left? bring it over here!

[AgentPat]

LMFAO!!! Oh, MAN! :D

Here ya go, Kaboom... http://www.patcostello.com/smileys/popcorn.gif


<- pulls up a comfy chair

[Brainiac 8]

LUDA.......you got any of that popcorn left? bring it over here!

Share the wealth man.:)

[Super_Ludacris]

if they do mve sv to sunday it better not conflict wit entourage or greys, thankfully sopranos will be done by then


I dont think it will conflict with Entouage seeing as that show is on during the summer period when SV is on hiatus (or is there something new I dont know off....:eek: @ Entourage getting a full season. That show is my ****! I love it!)

Personally I think they should keep Smallville on Thursdays. That like's the main prime night for networks especially for shows within Smallville's market. That will be further backed by the fact that it will be the network's main show

[SsM]

Meh??? sunday????? I dont like the sound of that too much...

[Kaboom]

thanks for the pop corn.
<~~~~pulls out comfy couch

i got tons of room. and heating up some more popcorn.

i think we're set.

ok crisis....nate...have at it.

[NateGray]

thanks for the pop corn.
<~~~~pulls out comfy couch

i got tons of room. and heating up some more popcorn.

i think we're set.

ok crisis....nate...have at it.

Have at what I have said my part and have nothing further to say to him, he says he is not a fan of the show and in this very thread admits he wanted the WB to just go away.
I addressed those in my post.

If you want to argue with him be my guest but do not think I am going to argue with someone just because you think it will be funny.

[Super_Ludacris]

I find it funny how he says he's done with the show but still comes and talks about it. Smallville's like that ex-girlfriend he cant get over. Dude is just straight hanging in the bushes lol

[AgentPat]

...If you want to argue with him be my guest but do not think I am going to argue with someone just because you think it will be funny.Don't sweat it man. :D We're just being silly. Some people I don't argue with anymore. Hell, I don't even *see* them anymore. :p

As to the scheduling nightmare that CW is probably hip deep in as we speak, we'll probably know more next month (May) when they formally announce their line-up. But at least we know there will be a 6th season.

[NHawk19]

My fear is that it wouldn't do as well on Sundays as it has on Thursdays. They hit gold with it in its current time slot, and SN is holding a decent percentage of viewers as a lead out. When you find something that works and works well, for goodness sakes, don't "fix" it LOL.

ABC is such a juggernaut on that night. I think they'd be better to stick with Thursday and put programming on to cut their losses like they have now.

I'm kinda hoping Veronica Mars makes the cut though :(

[Kaboom]

nate...its all fun in games...hang around for abit, you'll learn everyones personalities. consider the proverbial olive branch extended.

*oh and Pat...good looking out.

i hope it doesnt move to sundays, and i dont think it will, but thats what some people seemed to be saying so i commented. my bet is it stays on thursdays nights. probly mercy reef at 8, sv at 9, and Supernatural at 10.

that way supernatural, which has the darker tones is on later with a SV lead in. and aquaman is on at 8 to capture the widest poissible audience in a great time slot, leading in to SV

[rumpuso]

You guys are only fan speculating about the Sunday move though, right? I mean, there's no basis for concern just yet is there? I think Thursday has proven to be quite the night for our Smallville. I'm sure the WB...oops, the CW...knows that too.

By the way, when is shooting over for Vessel? Anyone know?

[Kaboom]

You guys are only fan speculating about the Sunday move though, right? I mean, there's no basis for concern just yet is there? I think Thursday has proven to be quite the night for our Smallville. I'm sure the WB...oops, the CW...knows that too.

By the way, when is shooting over for Vessel? Anyone know?

to mu knowledge..pure speculation, yes.

[AgentPat]

Daily Variety
April 5, 2006

Primetime guy for CW
Roberts named exec VP of current programming
By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

Nascent netlet the CW has announced its first programming exec under entertainment topper Dawn Ostroff, with Michael Roberts named exec VP of current programming.

He'll oversee the ongoing production of dramas and comedies for the web. Roberts segues from the WB, where he's held the same job and title since February 2005.

Roberts will report to Ostroff, who made the announcement Wednesday.

"He'll be charged with overseeing our primetime lineup of high-quality, established hits while maintaining strong relationships in the creative community," Ostroff said.

Shows that will fall under Roberts' domain include "Everybody Hates Chris," "Smallville" and every other scripted show that makes the cut onto the CW's first fall schedule.

Roberts has headed up the WB's current department since July 2004, when he was first made senior VP of current programming.

Prior to the Frog, Roberts spent 10 years at Walt Disney Pictures, moving up to senior VP of production. He has also done stints at Paramount Pictures and Weintraub Entertainment Group and worked on features such as "Simon Birch," "Beverly Hills Cop II," "Children of a Lesser God" and "Top Gun."

As the May upfronts creep closer, the CW plans to announce more of its programming team in the coming weeks.

(Denise Martin contributed to this report.)

http://www.variety.com/story.asp?l=story&a=VR1117941073&c=30

[Mike_D202]

I found it weird that WB is releasing a new series within a month.

[AgentPat]

I found it weird that WB is releasing a new series within a month.Hee! You're not the only one. But they have to follow through with prior agreements with production studios, affiliate stations and sponsors, most of which would have likely been sealed many months before the network merger was even announced.

[AgentPat]

VERY intersting article from LA Weekly...


Screwing the TV Viewers
The CW Network is the bastard child of The WB and UPN
By NIKKI FINKE
April 26, 2006

Everyone loves Les. Fortune just sucked up to him. The New York Times Magazine recently smooched his ass. And Bill Carter's new book, Desperate Networks, should be sharing royalties with the CBS president/CEO because it's told entirely from his sexed-up point of view. Indeed, few media groups are more doting and docile when it comes to The Powers That Be than television critics and reporters (except for, perhaps, the White House press corps).

The reason their reportorial foreplay with Moonves has reached orgasmic proportions right now is that the other network men in their lives are so obviously impotent. NBC hustler Jeff Zucker keeps blaming his own prime-time ****-ups on his entertainment eunuch Kevin Reilly. Disney pimp Bob Iger can't escape his biggest mistake: losing his hard-on for Susan Lyne, the ABC Entertainment programmer responsible for Desperate Housewives and Grey's Anatomy, and replacing her with Stephen McPherson, who hated Lost. The Fox guys deserve only sloppy seconds in terms of coverage - which leaves the TV press lusting after Les instead of mooning Moonves under headlines that tell the naked, and awful, truth about him. Here's mine: "Moonves Kidnaps Netlet and Harms Underserved Network Audiences."

Sure, all those press releases back in January claimed CBS and Warner Bros. were supposed to be equal partners parenting the new bastard child of The WB and UPN networks. That's how The CW got its lame name - "C" for CBS, which owns UPN, "W" for Warner Bros. What no one dared mention was how right from the beginning Moonves out-maneuvered Barry Meyer, the chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, and Bruce Rosenblum, the president of the Warner Bros. Television Group.

The Warners duo had been warned over and over to build in every safety clause they could think of to prevent the 50-50 partnership from becoming the "Les Network" instead of the "Can't Win Network," as wags now refer to it. Instead, they rolled over. "The deal should have been pretty straightforward. After all, no money changed hands. But Moonves was more aggressive. On tiebreaker issues, Barry and Bruce were folding every negotiation to Les," a Warners insider tells me.

The result, the source explains further, is that "we were willing to trade a more valuable asset much more easily than we generally do at Time Warner given that we were bringing better stations, more successful programs and way higher revenue to "the table."

That's not inexplicable considering that Time Warner's No. 2, Jeff Bewkes, made his career at nonadvertising-supported HBO and, because of that, isn't a big fan of broadcast television because he doesn't believe in its economics. Warner Bros. simply did his bidding. Besides, The WB was always seen inside the parent company as the ugly stepsister, dating back to its inception when Ted Turner became TW's majority shareholder and sought to shutter The WB, proclaiming he'd use the money to buy what he termed a "real" network. (Then-WB boss Jamie Kellner was so angered he went nine months without speaking to Terrible Ted.) "At the end of the day, we talked about the idea of an exit strategy for the network given that the management of Time Warner didn't want to be in that business. This was the exit strategy," a Warners insider tells me.

Now Moonves has used his negotiated advantage to de facto seize sole custody of The CW. I'm told "everything, every business decision, every programming decision" has to go by Les. Moonves and Nancy Tellem, the president of the CBS Paramount Network Television Entertainment Group, are together programming the 13 prime-time hours - yes, that's all CW is giving you for its September launch. "Even Bruce acknowledges at this point that Les and Nancy run the show. This is basically a CBS takeover," sources tell me. "Everything on UPN will have first shot at coming back."

According to my info, only The WB's Gilmore Girls, Smallville and Supernatural are locks. UPN adds America's Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends, Friday Night Smackdown! and also probably Veronica Mars. Yes, the teen sleuth show has dreadful ratings, but it was Dawn Ostroff's baby back at UPN and, as The CW's new entertainment prez, she's still emotionally tied to the so-so albeit critically praised. There is one piece of good news: The execrable Charmed will vaporize. (Damn them for replacing Shannen Doherty.) All the other highly watchable WB shows such as One Tree Hill, Everwood, the new Bedford Diaries and Pepper Dennis are in limbo. This really blows for the netlet's loyalists (I confess I have the TV tastes of a 12-year-old girl. I still mourn Beverly Hills, 90210.) In the beginning back in 1995, the WB was planned as a dumping ground for Warner TV pilots and series that didn't get picked up by the major networks. But, soon, The WB and UPN were bucking the network trend of going for the most eyeballs possible and instead targeting the younger 18-to-34 demographic and African-Americans.

The WB even entered the all-but-abandoned arena of family prime-time programming. Long-running Seventh Heaven is still so popular - with 5.2 mil viewers per week, the most-watched show on either The WB or UPN this season - that it could wind up on The CW schedule next fall despite the heavy hype that this is its last season. With that under its belt, The WB then allowed the Family Friendly Programming Forum, a consortium of three-dozen major advertisers anxious to cool the sex and violence heating up airwaves, to develop Gilmore Girls (weirdly a show about a single mother who had a kid in her teens), which became another hit.

It's important to note that the vast majority of moviegoers can't discern any difference in product after Universal Studios was sold to NBC, MGM/UA gobbled up by Sony, and Pixar bought out by Disney. But viewers of The CW won't get to see UPN's two separate nights of African-American-oriented programming (because that's been halved) or The WB's many family-friendly prime-time shows (because they've been axed). So two underserved network audiences who embraced the netlet duo will soon be served even less. That's horrendous since it comes at a time when black, Latino, Asian and other minority faces are as rare on network TV as smart sitcoms. Also dispiriting is the way that The CW cherry-picked the two netlets' affiliates in major and minor TV markets around the country. That leaves those orphaned WB and UPN stations to subsist on syndicated shows, which are programming's nutritional equivalent of pork rinds.

When I pointed out how much worse the network landscape will be for viewers because of the above, one of the executives involved in the deal demonstrated that special sang-froid network suits reserve for any discussion about the airwaves being a vehicle for the public interest instead of just a wheelbarrow for corporate profits. "As a business move, it was the smartest [for] our company to make," he told me. That's because execs at CBS and Time Warner greedily expect The CW to be profitable in its first year.

In the end, the unexpected but not surprising merger of the two hobbled netlets begs the question "Why can cable television support 500 channels, yet network TV not even six?" As with most everything related to Hollywood, it's a conundrum of money and ego complicated by the FCC's unwillingness to police a Big Media consolidation that hampers competition and harms consumers. TV execs talked ad nauseum about the challenging ad market and declining upfront sales (literally, 10 percent of total sales just disappeared from the marketplace). Of course the "P" word used most often by network heads these days is poverty, as in pleading it because of programming. They claim original programming is now upward of $8 mil in average launch cost for 22 episodes. By contrast, TNT puts on 13 episodes of The Closer and calls it a series but doesn't have to worry as much about advertising because so much of its revenue comes from cable operators. Yes, it's a lousy business having to face more competition from cable and the Internet, but so are a lot of media lately. The reason why broadcasters continue to spend billions on what they know is a broken system is obvious when Will & Grace sold its first 175 shows in syndication for $700 million.

The moguls would have us believe they couldn't afford to operate two competing netlets when the reality is they simply didn't want to. Big difference. Both parent companies have been under tremendous pressure on Wall Street because of lagging stock prices: CBS because of its recent spinoff from Viacom, and Time Warner because of penny-pinching billionaire investor Carl Icahn.

I've already found out that, on the night that The WB signs off, there'll be a nostalgic stunt: five hours of clips from the netlet's most iconic programming. Execs even are resurrecting that singing-and-dancing 'toon mascot who croaked, Michigan J. Frog. No doubt, the TV press will write reams about this and nothing about the real story - greed over good. Here's hoping that, one day, they grow big enough balls to stop sucking up to Moonves and start focusing on his screwing of The CW viewers.

http://www.laweekly.com/general/deadline-hollywood/screwing-the-tv-viewers/13276/

[KikiDee]

Wow! She definitely doesn't hold any punches does she? I'm not suprised and frankly I like it when someone in the biz lays it all out on the table.

I'm just not sure if that bodes well for our little show about a superhero who isn't a superhero yet. :confused:

[JackMercy]

[puts in Tony Bennett CD]



"Ahhhh The Good Life...."




;)

[NHawk19]

OK so here's my question:

With SV being speculated at 2 years max, Gilmore Girls at one, the potential revival of 7th heaven for one, and a host of other established marginal shows ending now, even if they make it through the first year what does that leave for years 2-3 in terms of audience retention barring the possability of a "break-out" hit like Desperate Housewives, because of the shows slated to carry over many are close to having run their course.

[Super_Ludacris]

OK so here's my question:

With SV being speculated at 2 years max, Gilmore Girls at one, the potential revival of 7th heaven for one, and a host of other established marginal shows ending now, even if they make it through the first year what does that leave for years 2-3 in terms of audience retention barring the possability of a "break-out" hit like Desperate Housewives, because of the shows slated to carry over many are close to having run their course.


Another teen show/Sci-fi show with "hot young actors" obviously

The thing is WB and UPN have a forumularic approach with there shows (Dawson's Creek, Summerland,Smallville, Angel, Buffy, Gilmore Girls, Supernatural, Charmed, Veronica Mars etc.). Some of these shows flop, a lot of them go on for 5 seasons or so and establish fanbases. Bottom line is as long as there teenagers in high school and twenty somethings in college, the network will crank out these shows over and over again and really pimp the ones with a long run (Smallville, Dawson's, Buffy)

[rumpuso]

Found this kind of interesting. Click on the link if you want to see if there will be a CW affiliate broadcasting in your area.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_CW_affiliates

Also, an ugly look at the business aspect involved in the merger...article from LA Weekly...http://www.laweekly.com/general/deadline-hollywood/screwing-the-tv-viewers/13276/

[NHawk19]

Well the line-up is slowly trickling out for CW. So far this is what's planned for Saturday mornings.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/networktv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002384275

I thought it was interesting they were keeping the "Kids WB" name for the shows.

Can the rest of the lineup be far behind?

[avidreader]

Well the line-up is slowly trickling out for CW. So far this is what's planned for Saturday mornings.

http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/networktv/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1002384275

I thought it was interesting they were keeping the "Kids WB" name for the shows.

Can the rest of the lineup be far behind?

I read they were making their announcement on May 18th.

[NHawk19]

Got a link I'd be curious to read that one.

[avidreader]

Got a link I'd be curious to read that one.

It didnt reveal anything huge other than all the networks would be announcing their fall lineups beginning that week. The CW would be announcing theirs on May 18th.

[RakuMon]

What a fugly logo:

http://www.variety.com/graphics/photos/storypics/cw_logo_02.jpg
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117943361?categoryid=14&cs=1

[The Incredible Hulk]

What a fugly logo:

http://www.variety.com/graphics/photos/storypics/cw_logo_02.jpg
http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117943361?categoryid=14&cs=1

that reminds me of the Hartford Whalers logo..

http://www.thisisct.net/features/hartfordwhalers.gif

[triplet]

:D

Here's the write up over on Futon critic:

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/newswire.aspx?id=7163

And here's a bigger logo:

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/images/theCWlogo.jpg

I kinda like the logo...

*shrug*

I don't like the color, however.

[Warhammer]

Nice logo.
Not liking the color.

White on Black is better.

[KalKai]

This was better:

http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/6430/thecw5sw.jpg

..and why did they add that green background? lol.

[SsM]

The logo is alright... The color scheme should def be changed though.

[Warhammer]

This was better:

http://img343.imageshack.us/img343/6430/thecw5sw.jpg

..and why did they add that green background? lol.

:up: to that CW logo.

[KalKai]

This is the official logo actually, I like it:

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/3800/cwunveiled0ap.jpg

[Strgts]

Anyone know an eta on when they announce their line up tomorrow ? If they dont pick up Invasion I will be pissed

[The Incredible Hulk]

Isnt Invasion on ABC? :confused:

[Strgts]

Isnt Invasion on ABC? :confused:

Yeah but there has been rumors for a long time now that the CW will supposedly be picking it up. Since ABC is not renewing it for a Second Season. With Aquaman being cancelled that does leave room for Invasion

[The Incredible Hulk]

I cant find anything about what time it happens tomorrow. It's in NYC so it's probably 12 or 1 PM EST

[Strgts]

I hate it when one Single Episode resolves pretty much the First Seasons Story Arcs but then that ending. Damn you ABC :down

[Serene]

I cant find anything about what time it happens tomorrow. It's in NYC so it's probably 12 or 1 PM EST


http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/comenget-your-upfronts-schedule/

I know that Hulk really just wanted to know the time and place for the Maxim Hot 100 Party. ;)

[Strgts]

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/comenget-your-upfronts-schedule/

I know that Hulk really just wanted to know the time and place for the Maxim Hot 100 Party. ;)

Thanks Serene

[NHawk19]

Yeah but there has been rumors for a long time now that the CW will supposedly be picking it up. Since ABC is not renewing it for a Second Season. With Aquaman being cancelled that does leave room for Invasion

I'd be curious to see what would happen if they did that . . . .CW never got the audience the big 4 got. So I wonder what would happen if an "ok" show got dropped by them then picked up by CW.

[KikiDee]

There's no way CW could pick it up it was even more expensive to produce than Smallville.

[Serene]

Nice montage up on the official CW website.

http://www.cwtv.com/

[NHawk19]

Green . . .squished the frog eh

[Kaboom]

^^^^^^^^^so thats what happened to Michigan J Frog!

[RakuMon]

Here's som cool news:

WB revisits glory days
Net plans to go out with a bang

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER, JOSEF ADALIAN

The Frog is planning one last hurrah before it croaks.

The WB will sign off the air forever on Sunday, Sept. 17, by rebroadcasting the pilot episodes of several of its signature skeins, including "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer," "Felicity" and "Dawson's Creek."

Landing the rights to air the series required outgoing WB supremo Garth Ancier and the net's remaining execs to conduct a delicate licensing ballet with the outside studios that own those skeins, and cablers that now play home to the shows.

In addition to the pilots, Frog plans to fill its final night with a bevy of classic promos and image campaigns from the WB's 11-year history. There'll also be a final tribute reel featuring the hundreds of thesps who've appeared on WB skeins over the years.

Such a farewell is unprecedented: When one-time fourth network DuMont signed off the air for the last time in 1956, it did so with little fanfare -- and with very little coverage.

"How do you end a network?" Ancier asked rhetorically. "This will be an homage to our shows."

The planning process began with a group of remaining WB execs, who made a list of the net's most memorable series.

"We kept coming back to the same significant shows," Ancier said. "Certainly 'Dawson's' and 'Buffy' were no-brainers."

Because the Frog's final bow will take place on a Sunday -- a night on which the WB airs programming from 5-10 p.m. -- net's blowout bye-bye will be a full five hours.

Night will kick off at 5 p.m. with the J.J. Abrams- and Matt Reeves-created "Felicity," followed at 6 by Joss Whedon and David Greenwalt's "Angel." The two-hour pilot to Whedon's "Buffy, the Vampire Slayer" will run in primetime from 7-9 p.m.

Appropriately, "Dawson's Creek" -- the Kevin Williamson teen sudser that put the WB on the map -- will be the final show to air on the Frog, running from 9-10 p.m.

Some shows that would seem a natural for the last night -- such as "Smallville" and "7th Heaven" -- won't appear because they'll live on at the merged WB-UPN, which is called the CW.

anding rights to air the series one last time was a sticky process. Most of the shows are airing in off-net syndication on cable, and navigating those license holders was a bit more complicated.

"Every cable network that runs these shows had to give the rights to us," Ancier said. "And they all wanted their own pound of flesh."

That meant breaking the taboo of promoting cablers on the network's air with date-and-time promos. (Usually broadcast networks allow only cable ads that tell viewers to "check local listings" to find the show).

But under this unusual circumstance -- and with the WB folding anyway -- the Frog and its departing affiliates were willing to let it slide.

The shows' creators, producers and studios were game for the idea. But because all of the shows come from outside the WB's Warner Bros. parent, Ancier and company had to find a way to make it attractive for those outside studios to license the shows for a night.

Solution: All the studios involved will get a free on-air promo of the DVD collections of their respective skeins.

Beyond that, Sony Pictures TV (which produced "Dawson's Creek"), Touchstone/Imagine ("Felicity") and 20th Century Fox TV ("Buffy" and "Angel") waived the usual license fee; the WB was required only to pay the necessary residuals.

"Everyone was great about it," Ancier said. "No one was making money off of this."

Three of the five hours to air on the WB's last night ("Buffy," "Angel") will be from 20th Century Fox TV -- ironic, as the WB and 20th had more than a few financial run-ins.

In particular, the night reps a homecoming for "Buffy," which moved to UPN after the studio and Frog couldn't come to terms on a license renewal. It's the first time the show has returned to the WB since leaving for the rival netlet in 2001.

There had been speculation the WB would sign off at the end of August. But the new CW net -- which is replacing the WB in many markets --isn't set to begin broadcasting until Monday, Sept. 18.

Across town, UPN has not yet announced how, or if, it will mark its own demise, which takes place the previous Friday, Sept. 15. One possibility: The netlet may simply shut off the lights after its usual weekly airing of "Friday Night Smackdown."


Date in print: Fri., Jun. 30, 2006, Los Angeles

http://www.variety.com/index.asp?layout=story&articleID=VR1117946199&cs=1

[NHawk19]

That's kind of a cool way to sign off. Too bad it seems like the end of an era.

[Kaboom]

yea, and if they were playing a show id seen before, maybe id watch.

[Sawyer]

I'm gonna watch them sign off. I havent seen much of Dawsons Creek and even less of Felicity, but I'm a huge fan of Buffy and Angel. It'll be nice to see what they have done before forming The CW, which has four awesome shows: Smallville, Supernatural, One Tree Hill, and Veronica Mars. But, actually, I'm a little surprised they wont be showing Roswell or Charmed, I guess they cant show everything.

[RakuMon]

TV Guide is live-blogging the CW's TCA presentation:
http://community.tvguide.com/forum.jspa?forumID=700000049

[The Incredible Hulk]

was hoping Ausiello was gonna ask about Aquaman, but instead he went off on them about cancelling Everwood.... :(

[Spider-Gamer]

was hoping Ausiello was gonna ask about Aquaman, but instead he went off on them about cancelling Everwood.... :(
I was hoping the same thing as well. :(

[NHawk19]

Spent a lot of time on GG too where's the SV love.

[RakuMon]

oops.

[RakuMon]

http://www.tvweek.com/news.cms?newsId=10375

TV Week's rundown of the presentation.

[RakuMon]

Why do you think SV was such a non-factor at The CW's TCA presentations?
First TVG's report has no mention. And now, Variety doesn't mention SV. I thought Smallville was the network's flagship show?!

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117946937?categoryid=14&cs=1

A 'Model' start for CW
Net kicks off with 'Top' show

By MICHAEL SCHNEIDER

"America's Next Top Model" will launch America's next TV network.

The CW hopes to make a premiere-night splash by unwrapping the seventh edition of the Tyra Banks model competish, which bows Wednesday, Sept. 20.

Speaking with critics Monday during the green-hued netlet's first appearance at the TV Critics Assn. press tour, net's entertainment prexy Dawn Ostroff said the midweek launch allows the fledgling CW network a few days to "iron out the kinks."

The CW will actually hit the airwaves on Monday, Sept. 18 -- a few days earlier than the two-hour "Top Model" premiere -- quietly airing a handful of repeats. That will allow stations to keep the lights on after the WB and UPN sign off for the last time.

Ostroff admitted the transition from old to new will be tricky, and may cause confusion as viewers are asked in many cases to flip the dial in order to find their favorite shows.

The exec pointed out that in 60% of the country, current UPN viewers will have to migrate to their market's former WB station to find the CW; the same is true in 28% of the nation for WB auds, who now will have to seek out the former UPN station in their hometown. And in several markets, the CW will air on a station that was neither a WB nor a UPN affil.

"We have to communicate that we're on a new channel -- that's huge," she said. "It's going to be very confusing at first."

That viewer confusion, Ostroff said, is why the CW is sticking mostly to returning shows and launching just two new ones: "Runaway" and "The Game."

"Our strategy all along has depended on existing franchises to bring in viewers," she said.

The CW now has cleared affils in 93% of the country, the most any startup net (Fox, WB, UPN) has had at launch.

Ostroff said she expects the CW to perform better than the networks it's replacing -- but added, "We're a bit realistic with what our expectations are."

Still, she added after her presentation, "By the end of the season, we'll be in the plus column."

Net also discussed some of its branding and marketing plans -- including the heavy use of lime green in its materials.

"Green is such a happy color," Ostroff said. "It really stands for a lot of what the network is about."

Following the "Top Model" premiere, the CW also will launch "Friday Night Smackdown" during its first week, on Sept. 22. But most of the lineup will debut in week two, including its Monday, Tuesday (except "Veronica Mars"), Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday skeds. "Mars" will return last, on Tuesday, Oct. 3.

Net also confirmed that Whoopi Goldberg has signed on to appear in two episodes of "Everybody Hates Chris."


Date in print: Tue., Jul. 18, 2006, Los Angeles

[Silver Lad]

Because UPN is a garbage network. They only promote the shows that require the least amount of braincells for viewing.