CBS Announces UPN/WB Merge

[CaptainSDavies 0]

NEW YORK — CBS Corp (CBS) and Time Warner Inc.'s (TW) Warner Brothers television network said Tuesday that they will close their respective UPN and WB networks and jointly launch the CW network.

 

The announcement was made by exectives from CBS, which owns UPN, and Warner Bros., which owns WB.

 

Both UPN and WB had struggled to compete against larger rivals in the broadcast TV business, including Walt Disney Co.'s (DIS) ABC, News Corp.'s (NWS) Fox and CBS Corp.'s CBS. News Corp. is the parent company of the Fox News Channel, which operates FOXNews.com.

 

The new network will launch in the fall, the executives said, and 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. (TRB), which is a minority owner of the WB 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.

 

Moonves billed the CW as a "fifth network."

 

The companies expect the station to reach 95 percent of the country.

 

Tribune said its 16 UPN broadcast stations signed 10-year affiliate agreements with the new network. Similarly, CBS said its 12 UPN stations signed 10-year affiliate deals. The two station groups reach 48 percent of the country. The companies expect the remainder of the affiliates to come from a combination of WB and UPN stations.

 

The CW will use The WB's current scheduling model, which consists of Monday through Friday nights from 8-10 p.m. EST; Sundays from 7-10 p.m. EST; Sunday from 5-7 p.m. EST outside of primetime. It will also include a Monday through Friday afternoon block from 3-5 p.m. EST and a 5-hour Saturday morning animation block.

 

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

 

Reuters and the Associated Press contributed to this report.

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Quite the power play!

 

Either we will see a Trek show about Teen - 20 somethings in love (think Dawsons Creek meets the Academy), or we will see a show about a Starship crew fighting Vampires (Buffy meets Enterprise)...strangely, the Starship crew fighting vampires DOES appeal to me.... :blink:

 

Regardless, I hope the merger goes well and continues to go well. It is really hard to get a network going, and stay going in this world of cable show explosions.

Edited January 24, 2006 by Kansas_Jones

[Guest Vulcan3324]

::starts shuddering uncontrollably::

 

While Star Trek has had a surprising lack of vampiric material, the thought of 'Buffy meets Enterprise' is horrific.

 

On to the main point...

 

I'm guessing that the next series will indeed be an 'Academy' Trek, probably aimed at viewers in the younger demographics. It's not a concept that I'm particularly fond of, but then again, it might bring some younger interest into the Trek franchise.

 

I'm still holding out for a series based on Peter David's 'New Frontier'. :blink:

[Kansas_Jones 0]

Why are the networks failing? Because the smart people are enjoying the internet. What kind of people enjoy watching shows about lawyers, blood and guts, vulgar and disgusting comedy, and murder every week? How crass.

From a personal standpoint, I need to agree with Vatric on that. I've have pulled away from watching TV, with the exception of Sci Fi Fridays, and the occasional cable program ("American Chopper", Travel Channel, and the like).

 

Some shows (not all) on the TV now are just awful. One recent show that I found well done was the remake of "The Nightstalker" 70's TV show.

 

I wonder how this new network will fare?

[Guest Vulcan3324]

I also agree. In fact, I dumped my cable package after Enterprise went off the air. Most of the shows I enjoy I either watch with friends, or I buy the DVD sets.

[Kansas_Jones 0]

::starts shuddering uncontrollably::

 

While Star Trek has had a surprising lack of vampiric material, the thought of 'Buffy meets Enterprise' is horrific.

 

On to the main point...

 

I'm guessing that the next series will indeed be an 'Academy' Trek, probably aimed at viewers in the younger demographics. It's not a concept that I'm particularly fond of, but then again, it might bring some younger interest into the Trek franchise.

 

I'm still holding out for a series based on Peter David's 'New Frontier'. :blink:

Okay, so basically you're calling me silly? :o :blink: This idea "could" work, if done right, and with some kind of Trek slant.

 

An Academy show I "may" be able to deal with. Now, as for a "New Frontier" show, I'm sure many would be ectastic about that, because I know the novels are really well received. I'd give it a chance, even though the novels aren't my top favorites.

 

What about - a series of mini series based on Trek, say featuring various crews. Fleet, Klingon and Romulan crews on a rotating basis?

 

I'd also find a show centering around the time of the Romulan Wars interesting, or another Original Series based show.

 

The problem is, Trek has vast untapped potential series wise. It's just a matter of getting the right formula / time period / backing. And hopefully, audiences would be receptive.

[Elgor 0]

I just hope they still show my 11 PM Enterprise

[HyperDrive 0]

If they do something rash with Everwood, so help me... they're gonna get some nasty mail from me. :blink:

 

Oh, how I heart that show!

[Dumbass 0]

OK, I have to ask, what the heck would be so exciting about watching a show centered around Starfleet Cadets?

 

I mean Cadets are essentially college students. They study, eat, study, go to the bar, study, party, and study. And when they aren't doing that they study. What the heck is exciting about that?

 

And don't tell me that a Cadet's life is somehow exciting. I was an ROTC cadet in real life (I separated from the program before I had to sign on the dotted line.) and the life of a Cadet isn't all that exciting.

[WxMurray 0]

OK, I have to ask, what the heck would be so exciting about watching a show centered around Starfleet Cadets?

 

I mean Cadets are essentially college students. They study, eat, study, go to the bar, study, party, and study. And when they aren't doing that they study. What the heck is exciting about that?

 

And don't tell me that a Cadet's life is somehow exciting. I was an ROTC cadet in real life (I separated from the program before I had to sign on the dotted line.) and the life of a Cadet isn't all that exciting.

Oh, geeze, it'd be a show of Wesley Crushers! :blink:

 

I don't like the idea of a cadet show. Like Dumbass said, it'd basically be a show about college students. Their lives aren't all that interesting. I am one; I would know. I don't see any way it could work.

[Travis Kroells 0]

Just a note, on Vatric and laywer shows.

 

Boston Legal. Hands down. Smackage :blink:

 

Demented, Perverted Captain Kirk and a 40 something witty Daniel Jackson in an over the top laywer show?

 

How can't that be funny?

[Elgor 0]

ROFL

[STSF_BluRox 0]

Bah! Star Trek Academy. Rumored for years, boo'd by fans consistently when mentioned at conventions. Why...basically boils down to Sector 90215.

 

What is hot on TV? Reality shows! So....we take a bunch of nerds, dress them up in uniforms, you have Team Federation and Team Klingon, and strand them on a remote island, and see if they can survive...wait...can't.....copywrite infringment....

Besides......wasn't that poolside at the MGM last year? lol One round of frozen drinks and they would all give up....

 

And on goes CW's quest to figure out what to do with programming...lol

[Kansas_Jones 0]

After DA and BluRox's views, I need to change an earlier opinion. There is no way I "May" accept an Academy show. I've been one of those fans against it for years. So why settle for it just because it has the Trek name?

 

Eventually, hopefully, a new quality show will pop on.

 

Now, on that note - lets say a show set after the Dominion war. New ideals, new plans to prevent what happend to the Fleet before. Ships now carry Marines, and fighter pilot squadrons, along with heavy armamament. Yet, exploration is still a factor, of course, in keeping with Treks long standing canon ideals.

 

Would this formula fly, or draw unfavorable comparisons to the re-vamped BSG? Of course, I think it would be slammed as Treks version of BSG, unfortunately.

 

Even though traditionally and historically, the Navy has always carried Marines, and in later years, pilots. Trek has always had that opporunity to use that "real life" background, and until the MACO's, hasn't been touched, instead showing the strict Naval side.

 

Would this formula be worth exploring, Trek wise? Thoughts, anyone? :P

[LoAmi 0]

After DA and BluRox's views, I need to change an earlier opinion. There is no way I "May" accept an Academy show. I've been one of those fans against it for years. So why settle for it just because it has the Trek name?

 

Eventually, hopefully, a new quality show will pop on.

 

Now, on that note - lets say a show set after the Dominion war. New ideals, new plans to prevent what happend to the Fleet before. Ships now carry Marines, and fighter pilot squadrons, along with heavy armamament. Yet, exploration is still a factor, of course, in keeping with Treks long standing canon ideals.

 

Would this formula fly, or draw unfavorable comparisons to the re-vamped BSG? Of course, I think it would be slammed as Treks version of BSG, unfortunately.

 

Even though traditionally and historically, the Navy has always carried Marines, and in later years, pilots. Trek has always had that opporunity to use that "real life" background, and until the MACO's, hasn't been touched, instead showing the strict Naval side.

 

Would this formula be worth exploring, Trek wise? Thoughts, anyone? :P

Right now, I'm leaning towards the side of not producing any Trek shows for a while. BSG is doing a good job of filling in the role of best contemporary sci-fi/drama. It's been approaching issues in a much more mature way than the Star Trek franchise has done for a long time. Attempts to "appeal to a younger audience" would end end up demeaning both the younger audience and the older audience whose support any Trek franchise needs to stay afloat.

[Elgor 0]

What would be really nice is a series based entierly on the Dominion War or how Ganval has said a series about the Romulan Wars

[eagle 0]

how about a show based on the academy,where cadets are killed off regularly by their instructors.....errr...wait we already have that at STSF

:P :) :P B)

[LoAmi 0]

how about a show based on the academy,where cadets are killed off regularly by their instructors.....errr...wait we already have that at STSF

:P :) :P B)

That would be most unrealistic!

 

Most Starfleet Academy cadets survive until their first encounter with the USS Enterprise as extras.

[Elgor 0]

ROFL

[WesleyMustDie 0]

That would be most unrealistic!

 

Most Starfleet Academy cadets survive until their first encounter with the USS Enterprise as extras.

Instructor: Congratulations, Ensign! ::attaches pip to collar:: Enjoy your assignment!

 

New Ensign: Thanks. Where am I going, sir?

 

Instructor: Oh, just a little ship named the Enterprise...

 

New Ensign: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

 

:) :P

[Elgor 0]

Instructor: Congratulations, Ensign! ::attaches pip to collar:: Enjoy your assignment!

 

New Ensign: Thanks. Where am I going, sir?

 

Instructor: Oh, just a little ship named the Enterprise...

 

New Ensign: NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!

 

:)  :P

wait which Enterprise? Because if it's anything past the Enterprise-A it would be alright. Even the Enterprise-B has a higher live rate then the Enterprise-A!!!

Edited January 27, 2006 by Elgor

[V'Roy 0]

Yeah, the only deaths on Enterprise B were semi-retired Captains. :P

[Sovak 0]

I, for one, would love to see a series based on the Frontier books. I hardly ever read Trek novels, but I did pick up the first Frontier series when I saw the name of the ship.

 

The characters are diverse and interesting. It's been a few years since I read them, and I'm not even sure how many books were published, (I love long series, though, so I'd like to find out.) but I think I'd enjoy a show based on the story.