The WB and UPN will cease to exist soon.

[dposse]

http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news...ex.htm?cnn=yes

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.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!! this blows. This has to be the worse idea ever. There are going to have crap like The Gilmore Girls and Smackdown together. Also, whats gonna happen to things like The Kids WB?? I dont care what you people say, i like the anime they have on there. Also, they better not cancel Charmed...

What do you think? Is this merger a good combonation, or is it doomed for failure?

[Mondt]

Originally Posted by dposse

Also, they better not cancel Charmed...

Comepletely agree. Charmed must not be canceled. Especially not after this season. That will screw things way over.

[meb955]

i refer you to my response dealing with kids wb to your exact same thread on another board made before you posted on this one. and, as i wrote there, as long as "everybody hates chris" is safe, i have little interest.

[Nique]

'Crap network' + 'Crap network' = ?

I'll expect your answers on my desk by tommorow.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

CW? But is UPN & WB! There's no CBS in the mix! (Well except for ownership.) Why?

Personally, it could be good, especially for me (I don't get the WB, except on my FOX channel - and that's only what they feel like playing at ungodly hours early in the morning & late at night). I mean, I don't care much for UPN too much, but a mix of their stuff & WB could come out nice. I'd think WB kids is safe, as UPN doesn't even have a Saturday morning lineup. I mean, just because it isn't mentioned, doesn't mean it won't be carried over into the new fusion channel.

Besides the dice have already been cast, all we can do is wait & see...

SWB

[PsychicKid]

I predict doom and failure. The WB has been going downhill fast in my eyes since mid 2002. Quite honestly, I hate the WB since mid 2002. They really, really screwed up for me.

I hope this dents the company and sends it spiralling into oblivion.

[Green_Ogre]

Oh yeah. I remember reading that a few days ago.

In other unrealated news, Pixar and Disney are gonna merge.

But yeah, you'll see Gilmore Girls with Smackdown and CSI. Ain't that fun?

Also, the UPN and WB near my house, WRBW UPN 65 and WKCF WB 18 respectively, are actually in the same building. So I think that the two are already a part of one another. Of course, they were together a long time before this merge was even thought of.

[Fifthfiend]

"You got your teen melodrama in my urban comedy!"

"You got your urban comedy in my teen melodrama!"

Coming soon - Moesha's Creek!

Two great tastes that taste great together!

[Green_Ogre]

Hmm, you know a scary thought?


A Wrestling drama. If that is made, I'm movin to canada.

[Fifthfiend]

Now after Moesha's Creek - Smallville Smackdown!

Super-Boy brings the Super-PAIN!!

And then cries about it afterwards!