List of presidents of entertainment of The CW

Last updated

The CW Television Network is a successor and rebrand of both the previous two operations of the network: The WB and UPN, both of which launched within one week of each other in 1995. [1]

Contents

UPN

Lucie Salhany (1995-1997)

She moved back to Paramount as they were about to launch the United Paramount Network, also known as the UPN—which later merged with The WB. [2] Salhany was chief executive officer of UPN from 1995 to 1997. [3]

Dean Valentine (1997-2002)

Dawn Ostroff (2002-2006)

From 2002 to 2006, Dawn Ostroff served as president of the UPN Network, a subsidiary of CBS, where she developed the popular reality series America’s Next Top Model , along with other programs including Veronica Mars , Star Trek: Voyager , WWE SmackDown , Girlfriends, Moesha , Everybody Hates Chris and Dilbert. [4] From 1996 to 2002, she served as executive vice president of entertainment at Lifetime Television and led the network to rise from sixth to become the #1-rated cable network in prime time. [5] [6]

The WB

Garth Ancier (1995-1999)

In 1994, Ancier re-teamed with Fox colleague Jamie Kellner and Warner Bros. CEO Barry Meyer to launch The WB as its chief programmer from 1994 to 1999, where he helped put 7th Heaven , Dawson's Creek , Charmed , Buffy the Vampire Slayer , The Steve Harvey Show and The Jamie Foxx Show on the air.

Susanne Daniels (1999-2003)

She developed TV shows such as Dawson's Creek , Buffy The Vampire Slayer , and Gilmore Girls

While at The WB, Daniels co-authored the book Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of The WB and UPN along with Cynthia Littleton. [7]

David Janollari (2003-2006)

The CW

Dawn Ostroff (2006-2011)

Beginning in 2006 after the merger of UPN and The WB, Ostroff was president of entertainment for The CW Ostroff was in charge of programming, digital initiatives, branding, marketing, research and sales. As president, she developed several TV series, including Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries . [4] [8]

Mark Pedowitz (2011-2022)

Mark Pedowitz replaced Dawn Ostroff in 2011, who had been the Head of Entertainment since the network's inception in 2006. Pedowitz oversaw all aspects of The CW, including programming, sales, marketing, distribution, finance, research and publicity.

During his tenure, Pedowitz focused on trying to broaden the audience for The CW, increased the diversity at the network, launched the Arrowverse , developed several franchised other TV series including The 100, Riverdale and its spinoff Katy Keene, debuted reboots of Charmed , Dynasty , Roswell , and The Originals and spin-off Legacies, both part of The Vampire Diaries Universe , and also developed shows like All American and All American: Homecoming, Nancy Drew, and award-winning shows like Jane The Virgin and Crazy Ex Girlfriend . Under his tenure, and made the shows of the network available through The CW app. He also increased the amount of original programming, with the network airing shows on Sunday and Saturday, as well as during the summer. [9] [10] Producer Greg Berlanti credited him with giving many shows that were not successful initially a chance in contrast to other networks [11] [12] [13]

The CW also during his tenure ended the 2014–15 season posting its highest average total viewership in a single television season since 2007–08 with 2.15 million viewers, a 12 percent increase in total viewership year-to-year; The CW also posted its highest seasonal demographic ratings among males ages 18–49 with a 0.8 share. [14]

He eventually became the longest-tenured head for a broadcast network and was promoted to the position of chairman and chief executive officer in January 2020, [15] before leaving The CW in 2022, amidst the acquisition of the channel by Nexstar Media Group and was replaced by Dennis Miller as President, and Brad Schwartz as President of Entertainment.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">UPN</span> American television network (1995–2006)

The United Paramount Network (UPN) was an American broadcast television network that operated from 1995 to 2006. It was originally owned by Chris-Craft Industries' subsidiary, United Television. Viacom turned it into a joint venture in 1996 after acquiring a 50% stake in the network, and subsequently purchased Chris-Craft's remaining stake in 2000. On December 31, 2005, UPN was kept by CBS Corporation, which was the new name for Viacom when it split into two separate companies. On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Time Warner jointly announced that the companies would shut down UPN and competitor The WB to launch a new joint venture network later that year. UPN ceased broadcasting on September 15, 2006, with The WB following two days later. Select programs from both networks moved to the new network, The CW, when it launched on September 18, 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The WB</span> American television network (1995–2006)

The WB Television Network was an American television network launched on broadcast television on January 11, 1995, as a joint venture between the Warner Bros. Entertainment division of Time Warner and the Tribune Broadcasting subsidiary of the Tribune Company, with the former acting as controlling partner. The network aired programs targeting teenagers and young adults between the ages of 13 and 35, while its children's division, Kids' WB, targeted children between the ages of 4 and 12.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Three (American television)</span> Informal name for the three major US television broadcast networks

In the United States, there are three major traditional commercial broadcast television networks — NBC, CBS, and ABC — that due to their longevity and ratings success are informally referred to as the "Big Three". They dominated American television until the 1990s and are still considered major U.S. broadcast companies to this day.

KMAX-TV is an independent television station in Sacramento, California, United States. It is owned by the CBS News and Stations group alongside Stockton-licensed KOVR, the market's CBS owned-and-operated station. The two stations share studios on KOVR Drive in West Sacramento; KMAX-TV's transmitter is located in Walnut Grove, California.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KNVA</span> CW TV station in Austin, Texas

KNVA is a television station in Austin, Texas, United States, serving as a de facto owned-and-operated station of The CW. It is owned by Vaughan Media and operated under a local marketing agreement (LMA) by The CW's majority owner, Nexstar Media Group, making it sister to NBC affiliate KXAN-TV and Llano-licensed MyNetworkTV affiliate KBVO. The three stations share studios on West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and San Gabriel Street ; KNVA's transmitter is located at the West Austin Antenna Farm on Mount Larson.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The CW</span> American broadcast television network

The CW Television Network is an American commercial broadcast television network that is controlled by Nexstar Media Group through a 75-percent ownership interest. The network's name is derived from the first letters of the names of its two founding co-owners CBS Corporation and Warner Bros., with CBS Corporation being merged with the second iteration of Viacom to form ViacomCBS and Warner Bros. being owned by Time Warner, later AT&T's WarnerMedia. Nexstar closed its acquisition of a controlling interest in the network on October 3, 2022, with Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery each retaining a 12.5-percent ownership stake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KJBO-LD</span> MyNetworkTV affiliate in Wichita Falls, Texas

KJBO-LD is a low-power television station in Wichita Falls, Texas, United States, affiliated with MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside NBC affiliate KFDX-TV ; Nexstar also provides certain services Fox affiliate KJTL under joint sales and shared services agreements (JSA/SSA) with Mission Broadcasting. The three stations share studios near Seymour Highway and Turtle Creek Road in Wichita Falls; KJBO-LD's transmitter is located near Arrowhead Drive and Onaway Trail southwest of the city.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The CW Plus</span> Secondary syndication feed of The CW

The CW Plus is a secondary national broadcast television syndication service feed of The CW. It is intended primarily for American television markets ranked #100 and above by Nielsen Media Research estimates. The service is primarily carried on digital subchannels and multichannel subscription television providers, although it maintains primary affiliations on full-power and low-power stations in certain markets.

The CW Daytime was the unofficial branding for an afternoon programming block that was broadcast on The CW. It was originally branded as Daytime WB, which aired on one of its predecessors, The WB, from January 2, 2006 to September 15, 2006. The CW programmed the block from September 18, 2006 until September 3, 2021.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dawn Ostroff</span> American businesswoman

Dawn Ostroff is an American businesswoman. She was the chief content officer and advertising business officer of Spotify, and is the former president of entertainment of The CW and former president of Condé Nast Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 United States broadcast television realignment</span> Outline of events surrounding the launches of The CW and MyNetworkTV

In January 2006, the United States' two "second-tier" television networks, UPN and The WB, announced they would both cease operations on September 15 and 17 respectively, and their operations would be transferred to a new joint-venture "fifth" network, The CW. Meanwhile, Fox Television Stations signed up with MyNetworkTV, a new "sixth" network owned by then-parent company News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eric Kripke</span> American writer and television producer (born 1974)

Eric Kripke is an American writer and television producer. He came to prominence as the creator of the fantasy drama series Supernatural (2005–2020) which aired on The CW. He served as the showrunner during the first five seasons of the series. Since then he has created and/or produced a number of television series including the post-apocalyptic drama series Revolution (2012–2014), the science fiction series Timeless (2016–2018), the superhero series The Boys (2019–present) and its spin-off Gen V (2023–present).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KTPN-LD</span> MyNetworkTV affiliate in Tyler, Texas

KTPN-LD is a low-power television station licensed to Tyler, Texas, United States, affiliated with MyNetworkTV. It is owned by Nexstar Media Group alongside Jacksonville-licensed NBC affiliate KETK-TV ; Nexstar also provides certain services to Longview-licensed Fox affiliate KFXK-TV under a shared services agreement (SSA) with White Knight Broadcasting. The stations share studios on Richmond Road in Tyler, while KTPN-LD's transmitter is located west of Texas Loop 323 northeast of the city.

Mark Pedowitz is an American entertainment executive. From 2011 to 2022, he was the president, and then chairman and CEO of The CW, after replacing the former president of entertainment Dawn Ostroff. During his time at The CW, Pedowitz oversaw all aspects including programming, sales, marketing, distribution, finance, research and publicity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Rothenberg</span> American television producer and writer

Jason Rothenberg is an American television producer, writer and director, known for his work on The CW television series The 100.

The 2017–18 network television schedule for the five major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers prime time hours from September 2017 to August 2018. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2016–17 season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Paramount Global</span> American multinational mass media corporation

Paramount Global is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate controlled by National Amusements and headquartered at One Astor Plaza in Times Square, Midtown Manhattan. The company was formed on December 4, 2019, as ViacomCBS through the merger of the second incarnations of CBS Corporation and Viacom. The company took its current name on February 16, 2022.

The 2020–21 network television schedule for the five major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers the prime time hours from September 2020 to August 2021. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2019–20 television season.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Warner Bros. Discovery</span> American mass media and entertainment conglomerate

Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (WBD) is an American multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate headquartered in New York City. It was formed from WarnerMedia's spin-off by AT&T and merger with Discovery, Inc. on April 8, 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Berlanti Productions</span> American film and television production company

Berlanti Productions is an American film and television production company founded by screenwriter, producer and filmmaker Greg Berlanti and producer Mickey Liddell.

References

  1. ↑ Bill Carter (January 9, 1995). "THE MEDIA BUSINESS; 2 Would-Be Networks Get Set for Prime Time". The New York Times . Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  2. ↑ Daniels, Susanne; Littleton, Cynthia (2007). Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise and Fall of the WB and UPN. New York: HarperCollins. pp. 157–. ISBN   978-0-06-134099-4. OCLC   136783001 . Retrieved 2 May 2011.
  3. ↑ Fabrikant, Geraldine (9 May 1997). "The Media Business: Chief of United Paramount Network Is Quitting". The New York Times . Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  4. 1 2 Fitzgerald, Toni (14 May 2010). "CW's challenge: Filling out its primetime: Upfront preview: Network is gaining in women 18-34". Media Life. Archived from the original on 17 June 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  5. ↑ Broadcasting + Cable Author. "Dawn Ostroff, Featured Panelist, "Women of New York 2012"". Broadcasting+Cable. Retrieved 12 January 2020.{{cite news}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  6. ↑ . "Road to Muse: Honorees Dawn Ostroff, Mary Bailey & Abigail Disney". New York Women in Film and Television (Press release). 11 December 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
  7. ↑ "Books by Suzanne Daniels and Complete Book Reviews". Publishers Weekly. Retrieved October 11, 2019.
  8. ↑ Fitzgerald, Toni. "CW in major revamp of its primetime". Archived from the original on 23 May 2010. Retrieved 7 June 2010.
  9. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2018-02-14). "The CW Reclaims Sunday, Will Expand Its Schedule To 6 Nights In Fall 2018". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  10. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2021-05-13). "The CW Expands Primetime Schedule To Saturday, Returns Weekday Afternoon Block To Affiliates". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  11. ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (2022-10-03). "Mark Pedowitz Exits As Chairman & CEO Of The CW As Nexstar Acquisition Closes". Deadline. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  12. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (2022-05-13). "Mad About The CW Cancellations? Blame Streaming, But Also Its Unusual Corporate Structure". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  13. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (2022-10-03). "Will Nexstar Erase Mark Pedowitz's Legacy From The CW?". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  14. ↑ "The CW Delivers its Most Watched Season in 7 Years - Ratings | TVbytheNumbers.Zap2it.com". 2015-05-16. Archived from the original on 2015-05-16. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
  15. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (2020-01-10). "Mark Pedowitz Extends CW Deal, Promoted to Network CEO". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 2023-11-08.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.