Homer Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/index.htm?cnn=yes 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.) WB's 'Gilmore Girls' will be one of the shows on the new CW network, officials said. 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 (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. Warner Brothers Entertainment is a division of Time Warner (Research), as is CNNMoney.com. Only good thing about this is that I can watch reruns of Simpsons and Seinfled back to back in my area... other than that, I don't really care about the WB/UPN merger.[/url] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dandaman Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Despite the fact that it's entirely true, I had to laugh at the thread title. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoasterJunkie Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 As long as I can still watch my damn Smallville and Smackdown, I could care less... Does anyone even watch WB anymore...I only watch it for Smallville. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wes Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 As long as they keep Gilmore Girls, I'm a happy camper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meteornotes Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 Could this mean the long-awaited revival of Homeboys In Outer Space can happen now with the massive power of these two amazing networks behind it? We shall see... dt Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WalrusMan Posted January 24, 2006 Share Posted January 24, 2006 GILMORE GIRLS VS WWE I can't wait. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 "It's another night on the WB With a bunch of bad shows that nobody will see . . ." The Simpsons summed it up perfectly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuakerOaties Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 The title is so true. Mark "This will be a disaster" Luskus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slacking Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 But these 2 networks did give us the greatness that is Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishyBrewer Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 As long as they keep Gilmore Girls, I'm a happy camper. I'd be happier to see them goto Fox. Then watch them get it on!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 ^I'm sure that Fox will grace us with the distaff version of Brokeback Mountain one of these days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishyBrewer Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 ^And I'm sure they will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Tonight on FOX: "Little House of the Hot Lesbian Supermodels on the Prairie." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Slacking Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I'd watch that over House or Bones anyday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinkerbell Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 Yeah it's all good as long as Gilmore Girls stays. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smells_like_team_disney Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 I never watch TV anymore (except Lost) so this doesn't bother me the slightest bit. I stopped caring about the WB when they shuffled Buffy, and even then I never watched UPN. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BelizeIt Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 These so-called networks have forgettable programing. When UPN had the Star Trek franchise they had a mild following, but now I don't know what they currently have. Sadly, much of what you see on TV currently is absolute crap! I spend much of my time on HBO Etc... I hope that programing will improve in the years ahead. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cfc Posted January 25, 2006 Share Posted January 25, 2006 ^Amen to that. The only network shows I watch anymore are The Simpsons and King of the Hill. And I do like Real Time with Bill Maher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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