WB and UPN forms CW network.

POSTED BY: Haken
UPDATED: Wednesday, January 25, 2006 04:19
VIEWED: 5828
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THECOLLECTOR

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 8:42 PM

If he does still have friends with both stations... I think we'll see another show tagged by Joss Whedon. I think a good solid 5-7 season would be great...

The ripest time IMO would be if Wonder Woman goes over well... hell not even money wise just critically...

WEREALLJUSTFLOATING

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 8:54 PM

AX Just to clarify, I think the reason I'm so nervous is I don't live in the States(I live in Ireland) so honestly I don't quite understand how the US TV network system works. Alls I do know is networks are a capricious bunch and it seems all my favourite US shows are constantly under threat of cancellation.

God I'm sounding very negative today but the shows I love -Firefly, Wonderfalls - to name a few, suffered unjustly at the hands another similarly sized network. I sincerely hope this merger bodes well for genre shows, not just VM and GG, but any shows that might get made next season.

If the glass is half full, then I'd say now is the time for Tim or Jane(or any other ex-ME peeps) to start pitchin' to the CW....

"You're a very 'up' person"

GRIMJACK21502

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 8:56 PM

Joss doesn't have to be the MAN with a relighting of Firefly. Joss as creative consultant/executive producer/4-5 episodes a year writer and Tim Minear as the fulltime exec in charge would be fantastic!

"And once you're gone, you can never come back
When you're out of the blue and into the black"
-Neil Young

WEREALLJUSTFLOATING

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 9:46 PM

That's very true. I'd happily welcome a return to the verse if Tim, for example, was the showrunner.

On a sidenote: I'd also welcome a Minear-directed sequel to the BDM. That man is a genius talent too, just like Joss.

SICKDUDE

Tuesday, January 24, 2006 11:40 PM

Here is the CNN article on the merger:
http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm

Quote:
'Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown'
CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September.
By Jessica Seid, CNNMoney.com staff writer
January 24, 2006: 1:50 PM 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 said. (The "C" stands for CBS, the "W" is for Warner.)

"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 (see video).

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" and "Veronica Mars," as well as WB programs "Beauty and the Geek" and "Smallville."

In addition, World Wrestling Entertainment's "Smackdown," which has been a mainstay at UPN, is expected to play a role in the schedule. The new fall line up is expected to be announced in May.

UPN and the WB have struggled to attract viewers from the four established networks since they were launched in the mid-1990s. But each has its strengths.

The WB has had some hits throughout its history, particularly with younger audiences, having done well lately with shows such as "Smallville" and "Gilmore Girls."

UPN has recently gained some critical acclaim and strong ratings for its sitcom "Everybody Hates Chris," which airs on Thursday nights and fared well against shows such as NBC's "Joey" and Fox's "The O.C."

Both networks will cease operations in September, broadcasting their respective network schedules independently until then.

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.

The new network will employ a lot of the same people, "but there will be one person where there used to be two," said James Goss, an analyst with Barrington Research, suggesting that there may be more executive jumbling throughout CW in the works.

Note that it sounds more like a merger than a 'new' or redefined network. They are taking the best shows from each network, including Veronica Mars. As such, (raining on parade here) I doubt they will change their programming that much. If neither WB or UPN was interested in Firefly, I don't see why CW would be.

"Don't say 'ka' until you've tried it." Daniel Jackson

JADEHAND

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:07 AM

on the upside a shiny new network would be a great place for Chris Buchanan and Tim Minear to pitch their new project with ZOIC.
No details yet, it was mentioned in an interview with CB back around sept-oct.

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MATTEBLACK

Wednesday, January 25, 2006 4:19 AM

The merger will also likely leave a number Channels where both UPN and WB were in the same market without a network. Between the redefined new merged network and abandoned channels clamoring for content, there could be opportunities for a Firefly rebirth.

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