What does this mean for Smackdown?

[MikeJordan23 0]

I'm not 100% sure I should post this in the WWE folder, but, the mods can just move it if it doesn't belong.

 

 

CW network to replace WB, UPN

CBS, Warner Bros. announce plans for new network to debut in September.

January 24, 2006: 11:31 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, to be called the CW Network, will draw on programming from both WB and UPN, including such shows as "Gilmore Girls" and "Everybody Hates Chris."

 

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

 

 

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

[claydude14 0]

I read an article a few days ago that Smackdown! was going to be brough back for another season when this year's contract was up, maybe it just goes to this new network.

[The Amazing Rando 0]

*blank stare*

 

 

Well...hmmm. My girlfriend is going to be pissed. And Rudo.

 

 

What does this mean for GILMORE GIRLS~

 

 

Nevermind....but my UPN and WB stations are 10 and 11 in my area, respectively...will one just cease working?

[2GOLD 0]

I'd imagine they will just take the best shows from each network and combine them. So Smackdown, Everybody Hates Chris and Veronica Mars will stay from UPN and Gilmore Girls, Charmed, Supernatural, and Smallville from WB.

 

I'm sure there will be more but this doesn't sound like bad news for Smackdown. They usually do good in the 18-34 bracket right?

[Guest Dam(o)nYankees]

I'm more worried about the future of Veronica Mars

[Guest whatitistoburn]

From one of the many stories out right now:

 

"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."

[razazteca 0]

What does CW stand for?

[Placebo Effect 0]

This is fucked up.

[Placebo Effect 0]

What does CW stand for?

 

CBS Corp + Warner Brothers

[The Amazing Rando 0]

Reba is a hit comedy?

 

This is fucked up.

[razazteca 0]

So does this mean that WB will become CW in the near future or will my local cable provider no-sell the change and go for the cheap ass UHF channel that shows nothing but religious programming?

[Guest Dam(o)nYankees]

Reba is a hit comedy?

 

This is fucked up.

Girlfriends is?

[Celtic Guardian 0]

So does this mean that WB will become CW in the near future or will my local cable provider no-sell the change and go for the cheap ass UHF channel that shows nothing but religious programming?

 

WB stations to join CW, UPN stations to NOT join CW:

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Portland (Ore.), Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, New Orleans and Albany.

 

UPN stations to join CW, WB stations to NOT join CW:

Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, Norfolk, Oklahoma City and Providence.

 

The status of affiliates in other television markets has not been determined/announced.

[Fro 0]

The WB has a 5 hour block of programming on Sunday that's all reruns (5-10), and UPN is showing 2 hours of the "African American" comedies 2x, so only 3-4 hours of programming needs to be cut from both networks.

 

The big question is if Smackdown stays on Fridays or moves to Sunday.

[Black Lushus 0]

that wouldn't make sense on PPV days.

[razazteca 0]

So does this mean that WB will become CW in the near future or will my local cable provider no-sell the change and go for the cheap ass UHF channel that shows nothing but religious programming?

 

WB stations to join CW, UPN stations to NOT join CW:

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Portland, Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, New Orleans and Albany.

 

UPN stations to join CW, WB stations to NOT join CW:

Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, Norfolk, Oklahoma City and Providence.

 

The status of affiliates in other television markets has not been determined/announced.

San Antonio?

[dubq 0]

*blank stare*

 

 

Well...hmmm. My girlfriend is going to be pissed. And Rudo.

 

 

What does this mean for GILMORE GIRLS~

 

He can watch it on the Canadian channel that already carries it.

[Ultra Violence 0]

The WB and UPN television networks in America are to be closed by their respective parent companies, Warner Bros. and CBS Corporation, who will then join forces to create a larger fifth terrestrial network.

 

The new channel will aim for the 18-34 demographic, be called "The CW," and launch in the autumn after The WB and UPN cease operations in September 2006. It will be a 50-50 joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS.

 

Dawn Ostroff, currently the president of UPN, will become the new channel's president of entertainment. John Maatta, chief operating officer at The WB, will continue in this role at The CW.

 

"This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience," said CBS president and CEO Les 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."

 

The CW will operate on The WB's current scheduling model. On weekdays, the network will broadcast programming from 3pm-5pm as well as 8pm-10pm. On Saturdays, a 5 hour kids programming block will air from 7am-12 noon. On Sunday, programming will air from 5pm-10pm.

 

In terms of programming, the new network will carry a blend of programmes from The WB and UPN. The shows mentioned in today's announcement from CBS are America's Next Top Model, Beauty and the Geek, Smallville, Gilmore Girls, Supernatural, Veronica Mars, Everybody Hates Chris, Girlfriends, Reba, and WWE Smackdown. Notable in their absence are One Tree Hill and Charmed, although exclusion or inclusion in the list by no means guarantees continuation on The CW.

 

The first round of carriage agreements for the new channel were also announced today. Tribune Broadcasting has signed a 10-year affiliation agreement to carry the network's programming, giving The CW instant carriage in New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Washington D.C., Houston, Denver, St. Louis, Portland, Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, New Orleans, and Albany. Current CBS-owned UPN affiliates will also carry The CW from launch, adding Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, Norfolk, Oklahoma City and Providence to that list. At this stage, that gives the network coverage across 48% of the country. The CW will aim for over 95% coverage, gradually extending its reach before launch by striking agreements with selected current UPN and The WB affiliates around America.

 

"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 Warner Bros. Entertainment chairman and CEO Barry 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."

[Kizzo 0]

This is good for both stations......

 

The CW looks to be the most diverse network of any of the big 4......

[MikeJordan23 0]

Obviously the big news of the day is that UPN and WB are folding and merging into one network. We already have a note up on how this appears to affect Smackdown. To say this was shocking news in the TV industry is an understatement, particularly since WB & UPN had just given media symposiums next year to prepare for the new season. It's doubtful anyone but those at the very top were even aware of this as a possibility, nor that Vince McMahon would have known about it before today. The combined network new schedule will be released in May, so basically WWE has a May deadline to come to a deal.

 

- Dave Meltzer

[Vyce 0]

Oh, to be a fly on the wall in Stamford today. I bet Vince is going through the fucking ROOF over this.

 

I don't think that Smackdown will be cancelled / dropped, considering that even at the 3.0s (actually a little bit higher, but you know) it gets, it's one of the highest rated programs for either network.....but you never know. Certainly, any chance that the WWE had at getting a better deal out of UPN is out the window, because it's not as if the WB is going to be there for Vince to threaten taking his show to the competition.

 

UPN - sorry, "CW" - will basically be the ones dictating to the WWE how things are going to be, and they're just going to have to take it.

[Guest The Z Man Tom Zenk]

Hopefully they'll move SmackDown back to Thursday or maybe even Wednesday.

 

 

 

Vyce, i have a question. what does your signature mean?

[Mole 0]

Oh God, Veronica Mars better stay.

[naiwf 0]

Oh, to be a fly on the wall in Stamford today. I bet Vince is going through the fucking ROOF over this.

 

I don't think that Smackdown will be cancelled / dropped, considering that even at the 3.0s (actually a little bit higher, but you know) it gets, it's one of the highest rated programs for either network.....but you never know. Certainly, any chance that the WWE had at getting a better deal out of UPN is out the window, because it's not as if the WB is going to be there for Vince to threaten taking his show to the competition.

 

UPN - sorry, "CW" - will basically be the ones dictating to the WWE how things are going to be, and they're just going to have to take it.

 

The reason UPN wanted to drop SD was because it didn't do nearly as well in collecting ad revenue as more marginal shows like Girlfriends. It doesn't matter if SD can do an extra point or so in the ratings if it brings in a lot less money over the course of 2 hours than 4 airings of their (alleged) comedies would. I still think SD gets axed.

[Guest Brian]

I assuming they're going to lose all the ad-rates on the next deal just like RAW's, since they just lost a bit more leverage and the precedent has been set.

[benoit4hor 0]

I'm hoping it means they stop playing Seattle Supersonic games during Smackdown in my area.

[Astro7x 0]

The reason UPN wanted to drop SD was because it didn't do nearly as well in collecting ad revenue as more marginal shows like Girlfriends. It doesn't matter if SD can do an extra point or so in the ratings if it brings in a lot less money over the course of 2 hours than 4 airings of their (alleged) comedies would. I still think SD gets axed.

 

Another factor that some might not consider is that the higher audience of Smackdown can act as a good lead in to programming following it. In my city, the local news on UPN at 10pm often runs teasers for a pro-wrestling related story during Smackdown that doesn't air until 10:40ish to try to get viewers to stick around. I'd assume it works...

 

I think SD will get axed anyway though... but while UPN doesn't seem to want it in favor of the comedies like you mentioned, it's almost like they don't want to give it up to another network in fear of losing more ratings.

[Vyce 0]

Count me in as somebody who will be PISSED if Veronica Mars doesn't stay.

 

Gilmore Girls, though, I could give a shit.

 

Vyce, i have a question. what does your signature mean?

 

It was a rather amusing joke made by KOAB after the infamous "Orton killed Undertaker with Eddie's lowrider" segment a couple months back. KOAB was hypothesizing that Benoit's letter to Eddy was to express his shame.

[MarvinisaLunatic 0]

MSNBC rates some of the current UPN and WB programming's chances of survival.

 

 

Everybody Hates Chris -- 10/10

Gilmore Girls -- 9.9/10

WWE -- 9/10

Supernatural -- 8/10

America's Top Model -- 8/10

Smallville -- 8/10

Veronica Mars -- 7/10

Beauty & the Geek -- 7/10

Everwood -- 6/10

Charmed -- 5/10

[Anakin Flair 0]

So does this mean that WB will become CW in the near future or will my local cable provider no-sell the change and go for the cheap ass UHF channel that shows nothing but religious programming?

 

WB stations to join CW, UPN stations to NOT join CW:

New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, Denver, St. Louis, Portland (Ore.), Indianapolis, San Diego, Hartford, New Orleans and Albany.

 

UPN stations to join CW, WB stations to NOT join CW:

Philadelphia, San Francisco, Atlanta, Detroit, Tampa, Seattle, Sacramento, Pittsburgh, West Palm Beach, Norfolk, Oklahoma City and Providence.

 

The status of affiliates in other television markets has not been determined/announced.

 

 

And so, once again, St. Louis will be without Smackdown. Oh, well. It'sn not like I actually watch the show anymore...