UPN and the WB to merge

[mr_pikachu]

WB, UPN shutdown boosts business at TV confab (http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060126/media_nm/natpe_dc_1)

So, how do you think this will affect the two networks? Any ideas on what shows will remain and what'll be tossed?

They'd better keep Pokemon... >_<;;;

[Ursaring17]

Does this mean that Pokemon will now feature African American characters?

[.hacker]

My bet is that they will sell Pokemon to another station, most likely Cartoon Network. I believe they're trying to target an older audience, so their Saturday cartoons will probably be dropped. But, who knows....

[mr_pikachu]

Well, I certainly see your point. The WB has made some awfully questionable moves in the last few months, dropping some shows that had become major ratings earners in their cartoon lineup. However, some of the business research detailed in this article (http://www.eonline.com/News/Items/0,1,18221,00.html?rsslatest) seems to suggest quite the opposite. Right now, your guess is as good as mine as to what will happen.

[RedStarWarrior]

Does this mean that Pokemon will now feature African American characters?

OMFG! I thought this exact thing. Anyway, two semi-crappy networks merging into one super-crappy network. Odds are they will drop whatever good shows they have and pick up more shitty ones.

[Greyfox]

With their powers combined they become... the Double-UPN.

Even shittier than NBC Primetime and Fox!

[b][i][font=Palatino Linotype]-Gre

[Master of Paradox]

I don't watch network television anymore, so I can safely laugh.

[Hatake Kakashi]

One of the whitest networks and one of the blackest networks are merging...?

Am I the only one who finds that comical? :D

[Jeff]

Yeah, it's like the TV network version of an interracial marriage.

I'm afraid to see what kind of shows are going to come out of this.

[mr_pikachu]

Well, apparently the new schedule will be set in May (see: Channel picks up WB, UPN programs (http://www.ohio.com/mld/kansas/entertainment/television/14154881.htm?source=rss&channel=kansas_television)). Some shows are already expected to make the cut. These include WB's "Gilmore Girls," "Smallville," "Supernatural," and "Related," and UPN's "America's Next Top Model," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Girlfriends" and "Veronica Mars."

They don't seem to want to discuss new shows yet, but they will be picking what established shows will survive the merger. Hopefully we'll have word about this issue soon.

[Reborned-Dragon]

I'm not ready for this!

[mr_pikachu]

Okay, quick little news link (http://www.newsobserver.com/105/story/438563.html) here for an update on the status of the merger.

For those of you who don't want to read the entire article, allow me to summarize. It had a lot of speculation on what shows will be cancelled, a bit of sociological discussion about effects rising from the loss of African-American programming, and one very important quote:


On Thursday, the new broadcast television network known as the CW will unveil its first fall lineup.

If you're not ready for this, then it's time to prepare.

(And in case anyone was wondering, "Thursday" = May 18.)

[mr_pikachu]

Sorry for the double post, but I figured that the announcement of CW's primetime lineup (http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/CA6335905.html?display=Breaking+News) was an important enough reason to do so.


SUNDAY

7-7:30 Everybody Hates Chris

7:30-8 All Of Us

8-8:30 Girlfriends

8:30-9 The Game (New Series)

9-10 America’s Next Top Model (Encore Presentation)


MONDAY

8-9 7th Heaven

9-10 Runaway (New Series)


TUESDAY

8-9 Gilmore Girls

9-10 Veronica Mars


WEDNESDAY

8-9 America’s Next Top Model

9-10 One Tree Hill


THURSDAY

8-9 Smallville

9-10 Supernatural


FRIDAY

8-10 Friday Night Smackdown!

[Jeff]

So in general it looks like UPN on Sundays, and WB the rest of the week. The one strange thing I noticed is that they took up a primetime (8:00!) slot to show reruns of 7th Heaven. :P