As two networks pair up, it's time to get real

With CBS and Warner Bros. shutting down their two also-ran networks, UPN and The WB, it's safe to say there will be a lot of TV shows left orphaned.

The two parent companies plan to forge a new network, The CW, out of the ashes. (At least they're not calling it "The WC.")

As for just where you'll watch the new network, there are more than enough affiliates to go around. Both companies are leaning heavily on broadcast partner Tribune Company, which will convert 16 of 19 WB-affiliated stations to air CW shows. CBS is chipping in another 12 UPN affiliates (it owns 15, plus one WB affiliate), for coverage of 20 out of 25 top TV markets, including New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Atlanta and Detroit.

What's less clear is how the affiliate situation will shake out in major markets that have both WB and UPN affiliates. One of two stations is likely to be left standing when the music stops. In Tampa, for instance, CBS-owned WTOG will convert over from its UPN affiliation, but what will happen to WB affiliate WTTA?

And what about the shows? Tuesday's announcement said that the WC network will retain the 30-hour "current scheduling model" of the WB: five weeknights of 8-10 in prime time, plus Sunday prime time from 7-10 p.m., early Sunday evenings and animation on Saturday mornings and weekday afternoons.

Not mentioned is just how those 30 hours will be filled.  Aside from the WB's long-popular animation offerings, which are sticking around, anything could happen.  UPN President Dawn Ostroff is in charge of the new network; while that means dark days for WB staffers, the WB has solid offerings and it's Ostroff's current network that may be struggling for space on the board.

Ostroff has a curious grab bag to choose from. Despite such critical hits as "Everybody Hates Chris" and "Veronica Mars," and shows with loyal fan bases like "7th Heaven," neither network ever found the large mainstream audiences they were seeking — though UPN's "Smackdown" wrestling franchise was a perfect counterprogramming move for the black hole of Friday nights. While each found some success in narrowcasting to specific audiences (teens, cartoon-hungry kids, the perennially underserved African-American market), results were uneven and tailored to appointment viewing.

Prime-time shuffle
And despite some serious cross-promotion ("Top Model" winner Naima guest-starring on "Veronica Mars") it was a stretch to think that viewers who tuned in for one show would stick around through the top of the hour. How many "Gilmore Girls" viewers would really hang in to watch "Supernatural"? Despite UPN's faith in the so-called "urban" demographic, was it fair to think “Chris” and "Love, Inc." would draw the same crowd?

A few fortuitous pairings might yet appear, though.  "Gilmore Girls" and "Veronica Mars" have similar characters and audiences, and the two would make for a compelling two-hour prime-time block. A sitcom night to battle NBC's attempted Thursday revival also makes sense.

Warner Bros. also might opt to find space for its self-produced shows ("Related,” “One Tree Hill,” “Supernatural,” for instance) on other Time Warner networks. And CBS could shift certain shows to its mainline network or to Showtime.

But “Chris” aside, the comedies are both networks' most vulnerable properties.  "Living with Fran" mostly serves as a reminder of "The Nanny's" bulletproof status; "Love, Inc." has little to offer besides an integrated cast (UPN's strong suit) that struggles to salvage some screechingly bad jokes; and “Twins” is just flat-out embarrassing. Among the personality-driven offerings, “Eve” and “Reba” might survive, but only on the basis of having built-in (if very different) fan bases.

And while neither network leaned too heavily on the reality-TV railing, their grab bag of offerings (“Top Model,” “Beauty and the Geek”) doesn't fit together in a neat package.

Our best-guess predictions:

"Everybody Hates Chris" (UPN): As UPN's one unqualified hit, there's no way either parent would do away with "Chris." The bigger question is where it will land. “Chris” currently competes against "Smallville" on WB, and while “Chris” is the more successful show, "Smallville" is custom-tailored to the WB's teen-friendly demographic for the timeslot. Best option might be for CBS to grab it for its own prime-time lineup — a family-friendly breakout hit with a largely black cast would be a very smart addition in the midst of all those "CSI" spinoffs. Odds of survival: 10 out of 10.

MORE FROM MORE NEWS AND OTHER FEATURES

'Love Connection' producer Eric Lieber dies

'Love Connection' producer Eric Lieber dies Venezuela TV punished for airing 'Simpsons' FCC to look into embedded advertising on TV 'The Wire' among Emmy semifinalist nominees Actors ask for more time to study studio offer Mr. Big out, Goldblum in for ‘Criminal Intent’ Nicole Richie to guest star on ‘Chuck’ ‘Sopranos’ wardrobe whacks wallets at auction ‘Big Bird’ costume creator Kermit Love dies   Add More news and other features headlines to your news reader: