UPN, WB to Combine to Form New Network (Source: Yahoo)

[NickWhiz1]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060124/ap_on_en_tv/tv_network



NEW YORK - Two small, struggling television networks, UPN and WB, will merge to form a new network called The CW, executives from the companies that own them said Tuesday.


The announcement was made by executives from CBS Corp., which owns UPN, and Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., which owns WB.
Both UPN and WB had struggled to compete against larger rivals in the broadcast TV business, including Walt Disney Co.'s ABC, News Corp.'s Fox and CBS Corp.'s CBS.


The new network will launch in the fall, the executives said, and both UPN and WB will shut down. It will be a 50-50 partnership between Warner Bros. and CBS, and the network will be carried on stations owned by the Tribune Co., which is a minority owner of the WB network.


Leslie Moonves, chief executive of CBS Corp., said the new network will air 30 hours of programming seven days a week aimed in part at young audiences.


Barry Meyer, the head of Warner Bros., said the network would be run by the current executives of UPN and WB.


This is definitely major news, and will definitely shake things up starting with the Fall 2006 season.

A more in-depth article can be found on CNN's site here: http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm (http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm)(credit goes to William C. Maune for linking to this article in post #9)

An even more in-depth article can be found on Coming Soon: http://comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12867 (credit goes to Spider-Man for linking to this page in post #8).

[Kino]

Any details as of yet as to what programs they'll be airing?

[Gatomon41]

So UPN finally ends? It was a good run while it lasted, but I guess it's time for a merger, since I don't think it can lasst anyother way.

[Tay the Cat]

Any details as of yet as to what programs they'll be airing?

Combined WB and UPN programming, more or less.

[Burgundy Ranger]

This is huge. Neither really had enough programming to carry a network on its own, but this merger might create enough of a schedule to run a full seven-night lineup to 11 p.m. each night.

What I'm interested in seeing is what happens in each market where there's a UPN and a WB affiliate.

[Adam Tyner]

Wow. I'm floored. I just hope the combined network still carries Veronica Mars.

[FireStarterLE]

Does that mean we'll be seeing SmackDown promos during Kids um ... CW or vice versa

[Spider-Man]

Information on their scheduling from Coming Soon (http://comingsoon.net/news/tvnews.php?id=12867):


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 a.m.-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.
This is a total surprise!

[William C. Maune]

Wow. I'm floored. I just hope the combined network still carries Veronica Mars.


According to the CNN (http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm?cnn=yes) story, it will. The article includes other programming notes as well.

[Burgundy Ranger]

I'm wondering about Smackdown, since it was WWE's decision to not extend the contract with UPN when it expires in August. That's part of the reason they put it on Friday nights, which has been a black hole for ratings on all networks for some time.

WWE's in partnership with NBC Universal (USA and the soon-to-return Saturday Night's Main Event on NBC) so if they re-up with CW, that'll put McMahon in deals with three mega-media companies at the same time.

[Adam Tyner]

I'm wondering about Smackdown, since it was WWE's decision to not extend the contract with UPN when it expires in August.Dunno for sure, but the press release says:
In addition the WWE's "Smackdown," which has been a mainstay at UPN, is expected to play a role in the schedule.

[ZeroFate]

Ummm wow? I actually think this might be very good for both networks. With this merger they could have a VERY good lineup of shows. I'm pretty excited to see what they come up with this fall.

[Peter Paltridge]

That doesn't make any sense. WB and Paramount are two different companies.

I'm all for having Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls on the same network, but if this means losing the quiet, classy WB montage spots....that stinks. Not to mention it might mean one entire Portland affiliate may go off the air with nothing to show, because syndication is dead.

[Lord Dalek]

Wow... would be I surprised if this had something to do with CBS?

[Lord Dalek]

I'm all for having Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls on the same network, but if this means losing the quiet, classy WB montage spots....that stinks. Not to mention it might mean one entire Portland affiliate may go off the air with nothing to show, because syndication is dead.Heh, that might mean my tapes of the High Five Challenge episodes I did on WB32 might acutally become collectors items. :p

And either way I wouldn't say that. KPDX (the apparently effected affiliate) can just use the model created by KRON in San Francisco and WSVN in Florida and oversaturate with local news.

[Mr Cat Dog]

Here's a list of affiliates, although bear in mind that it's from Wikipedia, so take it with a grain of salt for the present being:

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

WPIX-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPIX-TV) (WB) New York City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City) (flagship (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flagship))
KTLA-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KTLA-TV) (WB) Los Angeles (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Angeles)
WGN-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WGN-TV) (WB) Chicago (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago)
WPSG-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WPSG-TV) (UPN) Philadelphia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philadelphia)
KBHK-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KBHK-TV) (UPN) San Francisco (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco)
WLVI-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLVI-TV) (WB) Boston (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston)
KDAF-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KDAF-TV) (WB) Dallas (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dallas)-Fort Worth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Worth)
WBDC-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBDC-TV) (WB) Washington, D.C. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Washington%2C_D.C.)
WKBD-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WKBD-TV) (UPN) Detroit (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit)
KHWB-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KHWB-TV) (WB) Houston (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston)
WTOG-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTOG-TV) (UPN) Tampa (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tampa)
WBZL-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WBZL-TV) (WB) Miami (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami)
WUPA-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WUPA-TV) (UPN) Atlanta (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta)
KSTW-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KSTW-TV) (UPN) Seattle (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle)
KWGN-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KWGN-TV) (WB) Denver (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Denver)
KMAX-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KMAX-TV) (UPN) Sacramento (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacramento)
KPLR-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KPLR-TV) (WB) St. Louis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Louis)
WTTV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTTV) (WB) Indianapolis (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indianapolis)
KSWB-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KSWB-TV) (WB) San Diego (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego)
WNPA-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WNPA-TV) (UPN) Pittsburgh (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pittsburgh)
KWBP-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KWBP-TV) (WB) Portland, Oregon (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland%2C_Oregon)
WTVX-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTVX-TV) (UPN) West Palm Beach (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Palm_Beach)
WGNT-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WGNT-TV) (UPN) Portsmouth (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portsmouth%2C_Virginia)-Norfolk, Virginia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norfolk%2C_Virginia)
WTXX-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WTXX-TV) (WB) Waterbury (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterbury%2C_Connecticut)-Hartford, Connecticut (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hartford%2C_Connecticut)
WNOL-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WNOL-TV) (WB) New Orleans (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Orleans)
KAUT-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KAUT-TV) (UPN) Oklahoma City (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oklahoma_City)
WEWB-TV (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WEWB-TV) (WB) Albany, New York (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albany%2C_New_York)
WLWC (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WLWC) (UPN) Providence, Rhode Island (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Providence%2C_Rhode_Island)It should be assumed that other WB and UPN affiliates will opt to either affiliate with the new network or become independent.

[William C. Maune]

That doesn't make any sense. WB and Paramount are two different companies.

The new "CW" network will be owned by CBS and Time Warner. Each company will have a 50% stake in the network.


I'm all for having Veronica Mars and Gilmore Girls on the same network, but if this means losing the quiet, classy WB montage spots....that stinks. Not to mention it might mean one entire Portland affiliate may go off the air with nothing to show, because syndication is dead.

It shouldn't affect the local affiliate that much, the network (whether it be UPN or WB) currently only takes up about 10 hours of the 168 hours in a week. They'll be able to fill those 10 hours.

[chris3116]

I want to see what will happen for F0X44 in Montreal. FOX 44 airs The WB Programs. It will be weird 3 networks (Fox, WB, UPN) on a station. On Saturdays Mornings both 4Kids TV and Kids WB air on Fox 44.

Maybe CW will cancel the WB shows on Fox 44. I hope not. I want to see new episodes of Smallville. CW could open a station in Plattsburgh / Burlington to carry these shows. But does Videotron will carry CW? I hope so.

[Lord Dalek]

The new "CW" network will be owned by CBS and Time Warner. Each company will have a 50% stake in the network.
Yeah, Viacom just "split" (technically they are still the same company since Summer Redstone is CEO of both) into two seperate companies. CBS Inc. (comprised of CBS, Paramount Television, Spelling Entertainment/Worldvision, Infinity, and UPN), and (new) Viacom (Paramount Pictures, Republic, MTV Networks). As such there has been a major reorganization of how the companies are run (Ie: Nick Jr. is off Saturday Mornings on CBS in favor of Studio DiC shows).

[Vin]

That doesn't make any sense. WB and Paramount are two different companies.


Paramount is not involved. CBS was split-off from Viacom (corporate parent of Paamount) at the beginning of this year. They are now two seperate companies; Viacom and CBS. Hence, the merger is between CBS and Warner Bros./Time Warner, not Viacom and Warner Bros.

[Funkatron]

Irony abounds: a lot of UPN affilates air theWB and Vice Versa.

[Funkatron]

Paramount is not involved. CBS was split-off from Viacom (corporate parent of Paamount) at the beginning of this year. They are now two seperate companies; Viacom and CBS. Hence, the merger is between CBS and Warner Bros./Time Warner, not Viacom and Warner Bros.

Less a merger more of a co-venture

[Divv]

If ever there was a network calling out for a new Buffyverse show this is it!

[Burgundy Ranger]

Less a merger more of a co-venture
True, but the UPN and WB networks that we know today will cease to exist.

[MegaJ]

Wow, this was unexpected.

I don't really watch any shows on either channel, save for Veronica Mars and Smackdown. I kinda fear for the "urban" programming on UPN, though.

[VCXZX]

I guess this means Smackdown returns into the fall.

One of the things I'm curious at with this new network is will Yankees baseball still be seen on UPN 9 in NY? I would guess that the Yanks are more of a draw than the Mets on WB !!? Something to ponder.

[William C. Maune]

I guess this means Smackdown returns into the fall.

One of the things I'm curious at with this new network is will Yankees baseball still be seen on UPN 9 in NY? I would guess that the Yanks are more of a draw than the Mets on WB !!? Something to ponder.

Those contracts are generally with the local affiliates. Thus, the same stations should still show the same Yankees and Mets games

[FinalDragoon]

This better not go downhill like the last channel merge/takeover....yes I'm looking straight at G4. :sad:

[Wanted]

EDIT: This isn't a cable merger, where you have 24 hours of company-mandated programming. The affiliates will still have a say in what syndicated programming will air on the network.
I kinda fear for the "urban" programming on UPN, though. On to the original statement:Yeah... WB and UPN have conflicting schedules, and some shows will have to either be placed on the former Kids' WB! weekday spot or be cancelled. Though, take into consideration the fact that WB makes some (one that I've noted) of those "urban shows" and you've got something to think about.

But, this literally hit me like a ton of bricks... much like those Ford plant closings. How could they do that to Atlanta? Anyhow, I wonder what this'll mean for Kids' WB!. You've got two companies making a joint venture, and it's hard for me to believe that someone won't try to change something. Obviously, Yu-Gi-Oh!'s on its way out (thank heavens), which makes room for some ideas. I don't suppose Cartoon Network's going to continue to manage the block, so the executives and schedulers, and hopefully WB Animation, have something up their sleeves. Television is a competitive market nowadays, and the programming has to take a step up. Maybe CBS can even get into the animation game themselves...

I was joking.

Okay, with these shows merging into "one lane," the influx of new programming might have to be squelched.

EDIT:
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.So, it seems that there may be a bias toward UPN programming... unless John Maataa puts his foot in. But, I optimally think that they will cooperate.

[Matthew Williams]

wow.

I mean wow.

I have been following television for nearly all of my 22 years on the planet.

And no news (with the exception of the stunning Fox Family to ABC Family saga) has stunned me as much as this. So many implications, so much changing... my brain is just exploding by thinking about it... I did NOT see this coming.

[RayChuang]

This is huge. Neither really had enough programming to carry a network on its own, but this merger might create enough of a schedule to run a full seven-night lineup to 11 p.m. each night.


I think this is the biggest advantage of the merger. It will give the new network far more marketing clout to take on ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC. :)

[jlaking]

This is going to may it harder for shows that are on the bubble for The WB and UPN to get renewed.




This is huge. Neither really had enough programming to carry a network on its own, but this merger might create enough of a schedule to run a full seven-night lineup to 11 p.m. each night.

You know that FOX doesn't have programming after 10.

Also, Networks don't need to be on 7 days a week or a set amount of hours.

[MegaJ]

Even with this news, I see Smackdown staying on Fridays. The only show I think the WB would want to keep around is Reba and that can fit anywhere on the schedule.

Now what happens to all those hour-long dramas?

ETA: And Word to Matthew Williams. I'm shocked as well. In fact, I thought it was completely false.

[Dogbert]

I'm going to be following the news closely about which stations take on The CW's programming. Right now, I get three WB stations (all becoming CW) and three UPN stations. If they all become CW, I may need to unsubscribe from one of my current packages.

[Beat]

UPN was a joke from the start, and it seems like the WB was the second-weakest network after them.

Guess that's less competition.

[EroSennin]

One of the things I'm curious at with this new network is will Yankees baseball still be seen on UPN 9 in NY? I would guess that the Yanks are more of a draw than the Mets on WB !!? Something to ponder.

According to New York Times (http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html?hp&ex=1138165200&en=dbda2b1a607616ca&ei=5094&partner=homepage)



For many of the biggest cities, the move will leave a station without network programming. In New York, the new network will be broadcast on Channel 11, which has been the WB station, with Channel 9, which has been the UPN station, dropped from the network.


So WWOR should still carry those 20 games or so they just will no longer be a UPN affiliate

[Natey]

Wow. Its kinda stinks but at the same time is good. These two where at the bottom of the ra tings list. maybe after this we will have 5 Networks neck in neck at some points. Hope it works out for the best, im all for it

[EinBebop]

On the subject of Smackdown: this is probably pretty good news. The new network is going to want to want to come out with a bang, ratings-wise. So while they may have been willing to drop Smackdown before, they're going to want to keep that Friday-night muscle for at least another year.

[EinBebop]

Guess that's less competition.The two scrawny runts are being merged into one competitive beast. Separately, they might both have struggled for years to get where they will be when they combine... assuming they survived. Now they have to be taken more seriously. I think the nets are looking at this as more competition, not less.

[The Penguin]

I find this to be very shocking. This thought has never even occured to me, but I think it will (at least eventually) be win-win for UPN and The WB. I suppose we won't get a real feel for the schedule until this summer when shows are officially cancelled. I'd love to know now, but I don't think UPN is going to tell us now that say "South Beach" won't be moving to The CW. We can assume the big ones for each, but beyond that. Wow.

[SirLemming]

Initial reaction: Shock.

Reaction after thinking about it: It's only natural. I've never been able to tell the difference between UPN shows and WB shows. The dramas, the black sitcoms, etc. -- interchangeable. Not that I'm saying they're all bad shows, but these two networks have always had a similar feel to them, aside from UPN having a more miserable state of affairs overall. And of course, they're the two modern-era Star Trek networks.

Also, in Grantham PA, UPN airs a South Park episode at midnight and then WB airs the same exact episode at 1:30.

[Samurai]

Initial reaction: Schock.

Reaction after thinking about it: It's only natural. I've never been able to tell the difference between UPN shows and WB shows. The dramas, the black sitcoms, etc. -- interchangeable. Not that I'm saying they're all bad shows, but these two networks have always had a similar feel to them, aside from UPN having a more miserable state of affairs overall. And of course, they're the two modern-era Star Trek networks.

Also, in Grantham PA, UPN airs a South Park episode at midnight and then WB airs the same exact episode at 1:30.
I'd disagree about the 2 networks feeling "similar". UPN had a reputation as the "more urban, black" channel with wrestling (with the exception of Buffy, which it got from the WB, and Veronica Mars, which looks like it should be on the WB). While WB was always known as that "lily-white soapy teen drama" channel (i.e. Dawson's Creek, Felicity, 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, etc).

Although both channels target the same audience age (just one more surburban and the other more urban).

In fact, I think Fox and WB would share more similar demographs (since Fox has the OC, which I've always believed was like the perfect WB show). In fact, Fox probably has most in common with both THE WB & UPN (shows like Bernia Mac and a lot of the raunchier Fox comedy shows which would be perfect fit on UPN).

Maybe Fox will one day merge with WB and UPN to create the ultimate "Underdog" channel to challenge ABC, NBC, and CBS? Or maybe not. Who knows.

[SirLemming]

Not quite. WB used to be THE place for UPN-style black sitcoms, until UPN did in fact start up and they gradually migrated there. That's why they seem so similar to me.

Don't anybody take this the wrong way, but my dad used to say that "WB!" stood for "We Black!"

[Anthonynotes]

>>What I'm interested in seeing is what happens in each market where there's a UPN and a WB affiliate.<<

My guess: one becomes a CW affiliate, while the other either gets a new network affiliation or becomes an independent station (like most UPN/WB stations were before both networks came down the pike...). New York City's WPIX (channel 11) was noted for being a famous independent station back before the "Dubba-Dubba" network came along (as was Chicago's WGN (channel 9)).

Wow... the death of the "Dubba Dubba"-WB. That, and the long-overdue mercy-killing of UPN. Granted, interesting shakeup, though then again, I thought both networks were bad ideas to begin with when they debuted in the mid-90's (and still think so re: UPN; the WB seemed to have *some* semblance of originality, even if it's "Dawson's Creek"-crud).

Wonder if what I suspected is true re: UPN: without "Star Trek", UPN's days were numbered ("Smackdown" was their only other mega-hit show).

Would guess there'll be a lot of affiliate shuffling this fall, with the affiliate-less stations in some places moving to a new network (probably in cities like mine, where CBS is on less-than-glamorous channel 58 and WB is on 18/UPN is on 24). Also the possible return of independent TV stations (would like to see them take a few cues from WCIU in Chicago on how to run one...) on a bigger scale (and hopefully, said stations now using their actual call letters/coming up with original nicknames to identify themselves, instead of "UPN 24"/"WB 18"...).

[Knightmare]

I'm both suprised and not so suprised by this news, I'm not that suprised about UPN coming to an end, but the WB does suprise and I'm even more suprised to see the companies working together in this manner. I'll be suprised to see what all they finally end up keeping and also what they jetison.

Maybe if some of the indpent stations are run correctly we can get some good shows that haven't been on in a long back on the air.

[zmanjz]

and with the end of UPN ends the network that brought us "Homeboys in
Outer Space" and "Deadly Games" and the previous two Startrek Series


ahhh Homeboys in outerspace... I'm still waiting for the DVDs.

[Mr. Manager]

So WB(the second lowest rated network) and UPN(the lowest rated network) want to join to become the lowest together....

Brilliant.

[VCXZX]

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117936770?categoryid=14&cs=1&s=h&p=0

Variety says Smackdown will return for 2 years. So it's safe for a while.

[Jaguar]

Total shock.
Nice idea, but...it won't work.

And the logo...sucks.

[The Penguin]

And the logo...sucks.There's a logo?

[Adam Tyner]

So WB(the second lowest rated network) and UPN(the lowest rated network) want to join to become the lowest together....You don't have to be number one to make (1) quality programming or (2) money.


Maybe Fox will one day merge with WB and UPN to create the ultimate "Underdog" channel to challenge ABC, NBC, and CBS? Or maybe not. Who knows.Fox is doing a pretty good job challenging 'the big 3' as it is.

[Burgundy Ranger]

There's a logo?
Remember .... you asked for it:

http://www.dcrtv.org/cw.jpg

[Wanted]

Sorry, but I've designed better logos on PowerPoint. And, both The WB and UPN currently have better logos than that. So, what's the deal?


Don't anybody take this the wrong way, but my dad used to say that "WB!" stood for "We Black!"Oh, I won't. Your dad's a funny guy. I'm still laughing at the message.


In fact, I think Fox and WB would share more similar demographs (since Fox has the OC, which I've always believed was like the perfect WB show).Maybe, that's because The OC is a WB show. Not a WB Network show, but a Warner Brothers Television production. I thought it was obvious.


In fact, Fox probably has most in common with both THE WB & UPN (shows like Bernia Mac and a lot of the raunchier Fox comedy shows which would be perfect fit on UPN).And, what comedies are you hinting at? The ever-so-horrible War at Home?


Maybe Fox will one day merge with WB and UPN to create the ultimate "Underdog" channel to challenge ABC, NBC, and CBS? Or maybe not. Who knows.How about "maybe not". FOX runs too many networks... they'd probably consider selling those (mostly useless networks) out before merging with their compeitors... then again, the CW did happen.

EDIT: I guess the (future) independents can try to do something productive... like, maybe the first broadcast all-animation channel. Because, as I can tell you, a plain news network won't work. News 12 New Jersey never has the right amount of news and ends up repeating the same stuff every thirty minutes. Even with a variation of programming, it doesn't work. But, WSB-TV Atlanta (an ABC affiliate) has the perfect model. Consumer reports, political news, local news, national news, weather, and traffic (in the mornings)... I never got bored watching their newscasts. Compared to them, WABC is pure BS.

[Silly McGooses]

Wow! This is completely unexpected.

That is one ugly logo...

[Peter Paltridge]

Remember .... you asked for it:

http://www.dcrtv.org/cw.jpg
Actually, that's typical of a logo that would be designed these days--simple and plain. After two decades of wild and crazy design experiments, the theme for the 2000's seems to be keeping it simple--at least from my observation.

[New Noise]

I became flattered by this news when I heard it on television last night.

[EightOh]

Oh my God.

This is utterly insane.

As long as VM is safe (and they mostly leave it alone and let it do its thing, as UPN did), I don't really mind, but... wow.

I can't believe it, but I'm actually going to miss UPN. I never got the WB, aside from the prime time programming in the late night hours on ABC24 and then UPN30, so it's not as big a deal, but all I can really do right now is re-iterate how utterly bizarre this is.

[The Weed Of Cri]

Hey, why stop at just merging the networks? Maybe they can merge their programs to maximize audience potential. Who else is looking forward to Smallville's Next Top Model? How about Everybody Hates The Gilmore Girls?

[Jaguar]

I never got the WB, aside from the prime time programming in the late night hours on ABC24 and then UPN30, so it's not as big a deal, but all I can really do right now is re-iterate how utterly bizarre this is.

Yeah, us special Memphis people already know what it's like to have our UPN and WB programming on the same channel. But in this situation it's just...weird as all get out. And the name really...is just yuck. Just say "The CW" out loud to yourself. It just sounds...odd. But as long as there's still Friday Night SmackDown! things will be okay.

Hopefully.

[Wanted]

Actually, that's typical of a logo that would be designed these days--simple and plain. After two decades of wild and crazy design experiments, the theme for the 2000's seems to be keeping it simple--at least from my observation.Which observations are you making? From my angle, things are getting more complex (and better-looking than anything in the late 80s).

But, whichever group's in charge of creating a template for this network is going to have a hard job.

[EscaflownePilot]

They're just creating marketing hell for the affiliates. Detroit's soon-to-be CW affiliate basically said he doesn't know how the hell to brand something like this, and I don't blame him. The concept is bizarre, the logo is plain, the name is pure crap; how in the world is anyone going to create any kind of an image for this network to actually make it sell?

I'm going to be bold and say that this move is going to eventually spell the end of both UPN and The WB programming completely, leaving only Fox, ABC, NBC, and CBS.

[Chibi Kageboshi]

They're just creating marketing hell for the affiliates. Detroit's soon-to-be CW affiliate basically said he doesn't know how the hell to brand something like this, and I don't blame him. The concept is bizarre, the logo is plain, the name is pure crap; how in the world is anyone going to create any kind of an image for this network to actually make it sell?

Agreed. Ugly name! why couldnt they do a 3 letter name like everyone else? maybe TWC? i mean come on.. and the logo is ugly...

[raykremer]

And of course, they're the two modern-era Star Trek networks.
Ummmm, huh? TNG and DS9 were both syndicated, Voyager and Enterprise carried UPN for ten years. The WB has nothing to do with Trek. I can't even think of anything science-fiction that's been on the WB.

[Zorak Masaki]

Ummmm, huh? TNG and DS9 were both syndicated, Voyager and Enterprise carried UPN for ten years. The WB has nothing to do with Trek. I can't even think of anything science-fiction that's been on the WB.

Smallville is more or less science fiction.