The CW saga tops all the fascinating tales we’ve been reading this year. Two months ago, there was a virtual massacre of content cancellations. Recent revelations indicate that despite years of operation, The CW has never been profitable. What on earth was happening at the network?
The Truth
The network is presently 75% owned by Nexstar Media Group, with the remaining 25% split equally by Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount. The CW is now included in the homepage banner on their official website. Having The CW under their control is a substantial win for them, even though they still hold a lot of affiliate stations for the other major networks—ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.
The WB Network, owned by Warner Bros., and UPN, owned by Viacom/Paramount, first debuted as The CW in 2006. The programming on both networks, including “Smallville,” “Dawson’s Creek,” and “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” was geared toward a younger audience. The CW retained the network’s focus on teens and young adults by carrying over several of the network’s programs. Additionally, the newly combined network will eventually produce episodes of “The Vampire Diaries” and the Arrowverse. You’d think Warner Bros. and Paramount, the channel’s 50/50 owners, could make some money from offerings like that.
And more truth
It turns out that there is a valid explanation for why it isn’t making a profit. Experts estimate that the typical The CW watcher is 58 years old. Yes, that’s right; 58 years old. Not what you might anticipate from the network that gave you “Supernatural” and a “Legends of the Hidden Temple” remake. But in a way, this is very logical. How many people in the original WB group who view scripted television on a major network do you know? People who are simply accustomed to viewing channels like CBS and its omnipresent FBI, CSI, Blue Bloods, and NCIS programs will be the main viewers of the older networks.
By 2025, it is intended to turn the network profitable. How will they go about doing that? Since information is limited, we can undoubtedly make assumptions. It goes without saying that they will produce more material catered to their target audience. Focusing on unscripted reality programs or contest shows is probably a way to reduce production expenses. Therefore, it’s possible to predict where the network will air unscripted shows like “Whose Line is it Anyway?” and “Penn & Teller: Fool Us” as well as the current reboot of “Walker: Texas Ranger.”
