drew102e wrote:Sam, can the CW bump the 100/reign to midseason and move this up to fall release? or is it set in stone?
Simple answer: Yes networks can do whatever they want whenever they want. I wouldn’t bet on it however.
Complex answer: No network is likely to change the fall schedule after the up front. At this point the fall schedule is what is being sold to advertisers and affiliates. TV is also preoccupied with appearance especially the CW. Look how CW PR systematically removed all the thank you to fan social media posts from stars and producers of Hart of Dixie because they didn’t want it to look like the show had been cancelled even though that was abundantly clear to everyone. Changing the fall schedule now looks bad. The CW also has a CBS problem; the only new CBS show is a Showtime remake. CBS is woefully under represented on the CW schedule. That may be deserved but it is still a problem. Adding a WB show to the fall schedule will not sit well with CBS and CBS affiliates.
Scenario #1 where it could happen:
A show on the fall schedule does terribly and is pulled after only 2-4 episodes. That time slot then goes to DC Legends. Not likely because shows are expensive to produce and we don’t tend to see shows pulled off the air and money spent to produce them simply given away anymore (use to happen all the time). The CW did do it with a summer show just a week or two ago. Cedric’s Barber Battle was pulled after only 2 episodes ran. Not likely but possible
Scenario #2
The CW has affiliate problems and unlike most of the other networks they still have many traditional affiliates even in major markets (many other networks own the local affiliates especially in big markets). If the CW begins losing affiliates or a significant number refuse a certain show or shows. Remember, affiliates don’t have to air the network programing they simply have the right of first refusal. We don’t see it happen much these days, but it wasn’t that long ago affiliates would refuse shows and they would then get shopped to other stations in the market. Anyway, if the CW gets a bit of a mini affiliate revolt, you could see them change the fall schedule. Possible but not likely. Part of this issue is many of the local CW affiliates across the country still have CBS ties. If we see some sort of affiliate revolt it will not be quieted with another WB show.
