Pages

Thursday, May 12, 2022

WarnerMedia And ViacomCBS Are Selling The CW!

The CW is for sale.

The network founded in 2006 after The WB Network and UPN merged could be sold to anyone willing to take it. The CW is a joint project from then CBS and WB Entertainment.

Warner Bros. Discovery and VicacomCBS are looking to sell the network to possible investors and it will likely scrap it remaining programs currently airing in the foreseeable future.

It appears that Nexstar Media Group, which owns Newsnation is considered one of the top buyers of the network.

The CW has never been a profitable venture, and often had some of the lowest rated series renewed for consecutive seasons. Much of its wider audience came from a lucrative deal with Netflix that put new seasons of every show on the streamer after two weeks of the season ending. This helped lead to the expanding popularity of shows like All American and Riverdale.

The motivation for WarnerMedia and CBS to get out of the broadcast business is likely motivated by the desire to build their own streaming platforms. Both have recently launched their services with huge pushes for both original and legacy content. WarnerMedia has HBO Max, which is already the streaming home for several of their CW productions like Superman and Lois and Stargirl. Meanwhile CBS has the new Paramount+, an expansion of the former CBS All Access. It’s unknown what the fate of many of The CW’s shows on Netflix would be, but it’s assumed the deal would eventually put an end to their availability on the flagship streamer.

The CW cancels Naomi after one season.

CW chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz said it is happening.

So if another company buys The CW, the company will likely revamp its programs, allow outside studios to promote scripted shows and advocate more streaming platform access.

Most of the CW's programs are produced by Warner Bros. and CBS Studios.

Nexstar is trying to build its format into news, entertainment and scripted programs.

Many of these shows currently on have been either renewed or cancelled. If Nexstar does buy The CW, expect all shows renewed to either be cancelled or moved to streaming on HBO Max or Paramount+.

We will see.

No comments:

Post a Comment