UPN, WB to Shut Down; New Network Formed

Itsme · 01-24-2006, 12:08 PM

UPN, WB to Shut Down; New Network Formed

By SETH SUTEL, AP Business Writer

NEW YORK - Two small, struggling television networks, UPN and WB, will shut down this fall, and their parent companies plan to form a new network called The CW using programming and other assets from each of them.

The announcement was made Tuesday by executives from CBS Corp., which owns UPN, and Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., which owns most of 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, General Electric Co.'s NBC and CBS Corp.'s CBS.

The new network will launch in the fall, the executives said, when 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., a minority owner of WB.

Altogether, the 16 Tribune stations and the 12 UPN stations owned by CBS will give the new network coverage in almost half of the country, the executives said. The executives said they hoped to sign up new affiliates in the rest of the country by the time The CW launches.

Among the Tribune's TV stations that will join the new network are its flagship WGN in Chicago as well as WPIX in New York, and KTLA in Los Angeles. The Tribune Co. will relinquish its 22.5 percent stake in WB and will receive a 10-year affiliation agreement with the new 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.

The plan includes two hours of programs in prime time each night Monday through Friday and three hours on Sunday evening. It will also offer programming on weekday and Sunday afternoons, and five hours of children's programs on Saturday morning.

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

The CW will be run by Dawn Ostroff, who will be in charge of programming, and John Maatta will oversee the business side as chief operating officer. Maatta had been COO of WB, and Ostroff was president of UPN.

The new network gets its name from the first letters of its parent's names — C for CBS and W for Warner Bros.

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

ShawnLee · 01-24-2006, 12:38 PM

Just as long as they don't start promoting this with the frog singing "dubba dubba dubba" or something similiarly insipid, I'll be happy. That, and not losing the television I love.

speedracer120 · 01-24-2006, 01:10 PM

What happens to the stations owned by the same company that were affiliates of each of the two networks? I believe KTLA 5 and 13 (I don't remember their call sign) in LA are owned by the same company, or am I just wrong?

Itsme · 01-24-2006, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by speedracer120

What happens to the stations owned by the same company that were affiliates of each of the two networks? I believe KTLA 5 and 13 (I don't remember their call sign) in LA are owned by the same company, or am I just wrong?

I think you'll find that channel 13 is the UPN station and owned by CBS, and KTLA channel 5 is the Warner Bros affiliate...separate companies...until now when they will join up. The interesting question is whether one channel will go away, or will they actually create enough programming that'll need both channels.

Jenny · 01-24-2006, 01:28 PM

I am of 2 minds about this. On the one hand, I just KNOW that some of the shows I watch are gonners. Charmed & 7th Heaven are on their way out anyway, so ok. But I love Related, One Tree Hill, Everwood, Smallville, the comedies on Friday from WB and I know that one or more of those might not survive the merge.

On the OTHER hand, this is probably a great thing for Veronica Mars. It may have a more stable footing, be able to get more viewers, etc, so that's a great thing!

*sigh*

speedracer120 · 01-24-2006, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Itsme

I think you'll find that channel 13 is the UPN station and owned by CBS, and KTLA channel 5 is the Warner Bros affiliate...separate companies...until now when they will join up. The interesting question is whether one channel will go away, or will they actually create enough programming that'll need both channels.

Yeah, sorry. I freaking confused the issue here. My brains are fried.

Itsme · 01-24-2006, 01:42 PM

It could be that all this really is is a means for CBS to have access to WB studios and programming, instead of having to buy their own programming for their UPN stations. So, the former WB channels get some CBS created programming for their channel, and what used to be UPN stations now have access to WB programming.

speedracer120 · 01-24-2006, 01:45 PM

Maybe they'll finance a new better Star Trek series.

Grimm · 01-24-2006, 02:36 PM

The only three stations I watch are UPN, WB and SciFi.
I just know some of the shows I like are going to be canceled.

CornMonkey · 01-24-2006, 02:53 PM

i hope 'the gilmore girls' will be cancelled. i can't stand that show. i have to leave the room whenever my wife watches it.

DarkFury · 01-24-2006, 03:39 PM

NOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Well DAYUUUM!!!!! Those are pretty much the main 2 channels I watch!!!!! (Network wise...)

WHYYYYY!!! Dear god... .WHYYYYYYY!!!!!!

I just know that "The Man" has something to do with this....

Just takin' away the one national network that catered to my interests and the one network with the best "Saturday Morning Cartoon" lineup!!!!

Dayuuuum you Tribune.... DAYUUUM YOU!!!!!

I may forgive them if they promise to keep the Monday/Tues lineup from UPN and the Sat Morning lineup from the WB....

But knowing how things go... they probably won't.

Thesifer · 01-24-2006, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CornMonkey

i hope 'the gilmore girls' will be cancelled. i can't stand that show. i have to leave the room whenever my wife watches it.

My girlfriend would hate that. She loves that show. Haha.

Jenny · 01-24-2006, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

I may forgive them if they promise to keep the Monday/Tues lineup from UPN and the Sat Morning lineup from the WB....

But knowing how things go... they probably won't.

I doubt it, cause the shows on UPN Mon & Tues don't bring in much numbers. But dunno. Hopefully we'll get a better idea soon.

DarkFury · 01-24-2006, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

I doubt it, cause the shows on UPN Mon & Tues don't bring in much numbers. But dunno. Hopefully we'll get a better idea soon.

They bring in the numbers of their "targetted" audience... that's what matters to us.

Those other folks have plenty else to watch on ABC, CBS, NBC, and perhaps even FOX....

BTW.. go check the Nielsen Ratings among "African American" families... UPN has 4 shows in the top 10.

http://www.nielsenmedia.com/nc/porta...00880a260aRCRD

Jenny · 01-24-2006, 07:47 PM

I'm just saying overall, where the numbers matter, in the final scheme of things to advertisers. At least, that is what I was reading other places today.

DarkFury · 01-25-2006, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

I'm just saying overall, where the numbers matter, in the final scheme of things to advertisers. At least, that is what I was reading other places today.

You can't go by the "overall" when catering to a "niche market".

They go for the overall and they'll probably get slaughtered by the currently entrenched leaders in that area.

Oh well anyways.... if they kill it, I'll just have more time to surf the net and play CoH/CoV.

At least there is Cartoon Network and Sci Fi available to give me much of what I need from TV.

Maybe BET can pick up the slack if necessary.

Memo · 01-25-2006, 10:46 AM

Glad to see Gilmore Girls will stay. I never watch it anymore but I love me some Alexis Bledel!

Bires · 01-25-2006, 07:11 PM

So does mean that the newest UPN StarTrek series will be in da hood and star a Wayans brother?

"Yo G! Fire dem photizzle torpedos! We gonna fly up in der and get our war on! **** dog! Dem Borg ur gonna get jacked up!"

DarkFury · 01-25-2006, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bires

So does mean that the newest UPN StarTrek series will be in da hood and star a Wayans brother?

"Yo G! Fire dem photizzle torpedos! We gonna fly up in der and get our war on! **** dog! Dem Borg ur gonna get jacked up!"

I doubt it...

We already had "Homboyz in Outer Space".... which flopped miserably a long time ago.

revil · 01-26-2006, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

I just know that "The Man" has something to do with this....

Yeah, I know you're black and all, which gives you some sort of street cred or something. but I officially revoke your ability to call out 'the man'. when you stop watching yugioh, you may have this privelage back.

DarkFury · 01-26-2006, 02:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revil

Yeah, I know you're black and all, which gives you some sort of street cred or something. but I officially revoke your ability to call out 'the man'. when you stop watching yugioh, you may have this privelage back.

You have no authority to revoke anything, drunken sushi boy.

Besides, WB got more than Yu-gi-Oh (which is in it's last season anyways)... they got Teen Titans and "The Batman" too.

(Guess I can depend on Cartoon Network to keep us up on those as well.)

Grimm · 01-26-2006, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

You have no authority to revoke anything, drunken sushi boy.

Sure he can. "The Man" is an Evil trademark. You are no longer authorized use of that trademark untill you stop watching Yu-gi-Oh. Unless, of course, you are a member in good standing of the Union of Evil. It's all fair and legal.

esme · 01-26-2006, 04:46 PM

i like that new show on the WB ....can't remember the name right now ...the one w/the sisters ....4 sisters .....

Jenny · 01-26-2006, 05:24 PM

It's great.

esme · 01-26-2006, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jenny

It's great.

yup, that one .....i like it

DarkFury · 01-26-2006, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grimm

Sure he can. "The Man" is an Evil trademark. You are no longer authorized use of that trademark untill you stop watching Yu-gi-Oh. Unless, of course, you are a member in good standing of the Union of Evil. It's all fair and legal.

So basically you are saying that you are subjects of "The Man" eh? That's truly evil.

Yeah... but The Man is 'fraid to come down to the hood himself... he always sends his lackeys to do his dirty work.

You like being his lackey?

revil · 01-26-2006, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

So basically you are saying that you are subjects of "The Man" eh? That's truly evil.

no no, the union just registered the trademark.

Grimm · 01-27-2006, 01:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revil

no no, the union just registered the trademark.

Our way of sticking it to The Man.

01-24-2006, 12:08 PM	#1
Itsme Vice Admiral Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,813	UPN, WB to Shut Down; New Network Formed UPN, WB to Shut Down; New Network Formed By SETH SUTEL, AP Business Writer NEW YORK - Two small, struggling television networks, UPN and WB, will shut down this fall, and their parent companies plan to form a new network called The CW using programming and other assets from each of them. The announcement was made Tuesday by executives from CBS Corp., which owns UPN, and Warner Bros., a unit of Time Warner Inc., which owns most of 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, General Electric Co.'s NBC and CBS Corp.'s CBS. The new network will launch in the fall, the executives said, when 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., a minority owner of WB. Altogether, the 16 Tribune stations and the 12 UPN stations owned by CBS will give the new network coverage in almost half of the country, the executives said. The executives said they hoped to sign up new affiliates in the rest of the country by the time The CW launches. Among the Tribune's TV stations that will join the new network are its flagship WGN in Chicago as well as WPIX in New York, and KTLA in Los Angeles. The Tribune Co. will relinquish its 22.5 percent stake in WB and will receive a 10-year affiliation agreement with the new 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. The plan includes two hours of programs in prime time each night Monday through Friday and three hours on Sunday evening. It will also offer programming on weekday and Sunday afternoons, and five hours of children's programs on Saturday morning. Barry Meyer, the head of Warner Bros., said the network would be run by the current executives of UPN and WB. The CW will be run by Dawn Ostroff, who will be in charge of programming, and John Maatta will oversee the business side as chief operating officer. Maatta had been COO of WB, and Ostroff was president of UPN. The new network gets its name from the first letters of its parent's names — C for CBS and W for Warner Bros. http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060124/..._tv/tv_network

01-24-2006, 01:10 PM	#3
speedracer120 Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: HB,CA/PA Posts: 3,437	What happens to the stations owned by the same company that were affiliates of each of the two networks? I believe KTLA 5 and 13 (I don't remember their call sign) in LA are owned by the same company, or am I just wrong? __________________ Off in La La Land

01-24-2006, 01:28 PM	#5
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	I am of 2 minds about this. On the one hand, I just KNOW that some of the shows I watch are gonners. Charmed & 7th Heaven are on their way out anyway, so ok. But I love Related, One Tree Hill, Everwood, Smallville, the comedies on Friday from WB and I know that one or more of those might not survive the merge. On the OTHER hand, this is probably a great thing for Veronica Mars. It may have a more stable footing, be able to get more viewers, etc, so that's a great thing! sigh __________________ Check out my spoilers for over 20 shows @ SpoilerFix.com Check out my TV blog, where I post weekly & daily TV schedules, TV news, interviews with TV stars & more! All new TV forums as well @ TV Is My Pacifier

01-24-2006, 03:39 PM	#11
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 34,997	NOOOOOOOOO!!!! Well DAYUUUM!!!!! Those are pretty much the main 2 channels I watch!!!!! (Network wise...) WHYYYYY!!! Dear god... .WHYYYYYYY!!!!!! I just know that "The Man" has something to do with this.... Just takin' away the one national network that catered to my interests and the one network with the best "Saturday Morning Cartoon" lineup!!!! Dayuuuum you Tribune.... DAYUUUM YOU!!!!! I may forgive them if they promise to keep the Monday/Tues lineup from UPN and the Sat Morning lineup from the WB.... But knowing how things go... they probably won't. __________________ DarkFury's Pimptopia - Don't Hate the Playa, Hate the Game! Home of the Original OG Pimp (accept NO imitations)

01-25-2006, 07:11 PM	#18
Bires Admiral Join Date: May 2000 Posts: 5,064	So does mean that the newest UPN StarTrek series will be in da hood and star a Wayans brother? "Yo G! Fire dem photizzle torpedos! We gonna fly up in der and get our war on! **** dog! Dem Borg ur gonna get jacked up!" __________________ Five years...

01-24-2006, 01:42 PM	#7
Itsme Vice Admiral Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Southern California Posts: 4,813	It could be that all this really is is a means for CBS to have access to WB studios and programming, instead of having to buy their own programming for their UPN stations. So, the former WB channels get some CBS created programming for their channel, and what used to be UPN stations now have access to WB programming.

01-24-2006, 01:45 PM	#8
speedracer120 Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: HB,CA/PA Posts: 3,437	Maybe they'll finance a new better Star Trek series.

01-24-2006, 02:36 PM	#9
Grimm 100% Pure Evil Join Date: Sep 2000 Posts: 7,861	The only three stations I watch are UPN, WB and SciFi. I just know some of the shows I like are going to be canceled.

01-24-2006, 02:53 PM	#10
CornMonkey Rear Admiral Lower Half Join Date: May 2000 Location: in front of my computer Posts: 2,503	i hope 'the gilmore girls' will be cancelled. i can't stand that show. i have to leave the room whenever my wife watches it.

01-24-2006, 07:47 PM	#15
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	I'm just saying overall, where the numbers matter, in the final scheme of things to advertisers. At least, that is what I was reading other places today.

01-25-2006, 10:46 AM	#17
Memo Admiral Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: East Village Posts: 5,659	Glad to see Gilmore Girls will stay. I never watch it anymore but I love me some Alexis Bledel!

01-26-2006, 04:46 PM	#23
esme Commander Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Orange County, CA Posts: 1,089	i like that new show on the WB ....can't remember the name right now ...the one w/the sisters ....4 sisters .....

01-26-2006, 05:24 PM	#24
Jenny Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Kansas City area Posts: 10,947	Related It's great.

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