2006 United States broadcast television realignment

Events around the launches of The CW and MyNetworkTV May 2023 2006 United States broadcast television realignment 2006 01 24 – 2006 09 18 (2006 01 24 2006 09 18) United States Financial issues and low ratings for The WB and UPN since they began operations in January 1995 Sale of Chris-Craft UPN stations to Fox in 2001 Viacom split into CBS Corporation and new Viacom in December 2005 Merge the programming schedules of The WB and UPN into The CW The CW announces affiliation agreements with WB affiliates owned by Tribune and CBS-owned UPN stations Tribune divests ownership stake in The WB Fox announces the creation of MyNetworkTV to compensate for its UPN affiliates not being included Fox-owned UPN stations disaffiliate from UPN on August 31 MyNetworkTV launches on September 4 The CW launches on September 18 The CW is sold to Nexstar Media Group in 2022 Time Warner CBS Corporation News Corporation Dick Parsons (CEO) Jeff Bewkes (network president) Jamie Kellner (minority owner) Les Moonves (chairman) Rupert Murdoch (chairman) vertical right 200 UPN logo.svg United Paramount Network (UPN) Logo of The WB.svg The WB Television Network The CW 2024.svg The CW Television Network MyNetworkTV 2D Logo.svg 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 September 17 respectively, and their operations would be transferred to a new joint-venture "fifth" network, The CW. Meanwhile, Fox Television Stations (which owned several UPN affiliated stations in large cities that were blocked from affiliating with The CW) signed up with MyNetworkTV, a new "sixth" network owned by then-parent company News Corporation's Fox Entertainment Group. Background In January 1995, The WB Television Network and the United Paramount Network (UPN) were launched,Carter Bill January 9, 1995 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; 2 Would-Be Networks Get Set for Prime Time The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/09/business/the-media-business-2-would-be-networks-get-set-for-prime-time.html live September 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151015094720/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/09/business/the-media-business-2-would-be-networks-get-set-for-prime-time.html October 15, 2015 each hoping to recreate the success of the Fox network, which had launched in October 1986 and became one of America's "major" networks through the successes of several early series (such as The Simpsons, Married... with Children, The X-Files, Melrose Place, Martin, In Living Color, COPS, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Fox Kids' airings of the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers) and its 1993 deal with the National Football League (NFL) to assume the broadcast rights to the National Football Conference (NFC) from CBS. Like with Fox at the time, The WB targeted a mostly teenage and young adult audience; UPN, however, aimed its programming at a broader demographic of adults between 18 and 49 years of age. Like Fox (then owned by 20th Century Fox's parent company at the time, News Corporation), the two networks had been joint ventures between major Hollywood studios and large owners of previously independent stations: The WB was owned by the Warner Bros. Entertainment division of Time Warner, in a joint venture with the Tribune Company, and UPN was founded by Chris-Craft Industries, in a programming partnership with Paramount Pictures. In October 1993, Chris-Craft and the Paramount Stations Group reached affiliation agreements with most of the independents owned by the respective groups to serve as charter UPN affiliates.Carter Bill October 27, 1993 Paramount Plans a TV Network The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/27/business/paramount-plans-a-tv-network.html live September 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151015094915/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/10/27/business/paramount-plans-a-tv-network.html October 15, 2015 That November, Tribune cut affiliation deals with The WB for all eight independents it owned at the time (including stations in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago) – as well as a station in Boston that Tribune bought from the Gannett Company the following year, though only seven would join the network at launch due to the company's Atlanta station affiliating with CBS (its New Orleans station would follow suit in 1996, switching its affiliation to ABC);Kolbert Elizabeth November 3, 1993 THE MEDIA BUSINESS; Warner Bros. Enters Race For Network The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/03/business/the-media-business-warner-bros-enters-race-for-network.html live September 2, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150526082817/http://www.nytimes.com/1993/11/03/business/the-media-business-warner-bros-enters-race-for-network.html May 26, 2015Elber Lynn November 2, 1993 Time Warner TV Network to Cover 40% of Nation The Buffalo News BH Media Associated Press http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22543783.html usurped June 15, 2013 HighBeam Research subscription https://web.archive.org/web/20140610085342/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-22543783.html Buffalo, NY June 10, 2014 Chris-Craft and Paramount also each owned independents in large and mid-sized markets (with the former owning stations in New York City and Los Angeles). Both new networks launched to limited fanfare and generally poor results. Over the course of 11½ seasons, despite a number of minor-hit or cult-hit series such as Star Trek: Voyager, Star Trek: Enterprise, Charmed, 7th Heaven, Gilmore Girls, Girlfriends, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Felicity, Moesha, Dawson's Creek, The Parkers, One on One, Roswell, and Kids' WB's airing of the anime Pokémon, neither network was able to attain the stature that Fox had gained in its first decade, much less that of the longstanding "Big Three" television networks (ABC, CBS and NBC). By early 2006, both networks were losing money, although The WB had been profitable a few seasons earlier; in slight contrast, UPN had never turned a profit and had already lost $800 million in its first five years of operation.Surowiecki James April 3, 2000 Why Won't Anyone Pull the Plug on UPN? https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2000/04/03/why-wont-anyone-pull-the-plug-on-upn live The New Yorker Advance Publications https://web.archive.org/web/20081218170110/https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2000/04/03/2000_04_03_032_TNY_LIBRY_000020545 December 18, 2008 May 24, 2022 Reports indicated that the prospects for both networks were fading quickly. A further complication was the various shifts in network and affiliate ownership at UPN. Shortly before its launch, Paramount Pictures' corporate parent Paramount Communications was purchased by Viacom, which later purchased a 50% stake in UPN in December 1996,VIACOM BUYS 50 PERCENT STAKE IN UPN NETWORK https://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/05/business/viacom-buys-50-percent-stake-in-upn-network.html The New York Times December 5, 1996 September 2, 2015 October 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151015094516/http://www.nytimes.com/1996/12/05/business/viacom-buys-50-percent-stake-in-upn-network.html liveMcClellan Steve Rice Lynette December 9, 1996 Viacom to buy half of UPN: is investing $160 million in fledgling network http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18935896.html usurped https://web.archive.org/web/20131011162936/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18935896.html October 11, 2013 June 22, 2013 HighBeam Research subscription Broadcasting & Cable and acquired CBS in 2000. Viacom was permitted to keep interests in both networks, in effect, resulting in the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) lifting its long-standing ban on television station duopolies. Chris-Craft's relations with Viacom were strained in February 2000 when the latter firm exercised a contractual right to force Chris-Craft to either buy Viacom out of UPN, or sell its stake in the network to Viacom within a 45-day grace period. Chris-Craft subsequently filed a lawsuit against Viacom in the New York Supreme Court to block the CBS merger on grounds that a pact reached between Chris-Craft and Viacom in 1997 disallowed either company from owning "any interest, financial or otherwise" in "any competing network" through January 2001; however, New York Supreme Court judge Herman Cahn ruled against Chris-Craft's move for a permanent injunction motion in March 2000.Viacom Makes 2 Offers to BHC on TV Venture https://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/04/business/viacom-makes-2-offers-to-bhc-on-tv-venture.html The New York Times February 4, 2000 February 14, 2017 November 3, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20171103205351/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/02/04/business/viacom-makes-2-offers-to-bhc-on-tv-venture.html liveBHC Sues UPN Partner Viacom Over CBS Deal https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-09-fi-62554-story.html Sallie Hofmeister Los Angeles Times February 9, 2000 May 24, 2022 October 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151015095028/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/feb/09/business/fi-62554 liveChris-Craft Loses UPN Ruling https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/17/business/chris-craft-loses-upn-ruling.html The New York Times March 17, 2000 September 2, 2015 October 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151015095032/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/17/business/chris-craft-loses-upn-ruling.html live Chris-Craft could not find a suitable partner and sold its interest in UPN to Viacom for $5 million that April.Viacom Buys Chris-Craft's Stake in UPN For $5 Million https://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/21/business/viacom-buys-chris-craft-s-stake-in-upn-for-5-million.html Bill Carter The New York Times March 21, 2000 September 2, 2015 November 17, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151117102355/http://www.nytimes.com/2000/03/21/business/viacom-buys-chris-craft-s-stake-in-upn-for-5-million.html liveViacom wins UPN so let the digestion begin http://www.medialifemagazine.com:8080/news2000/mar00/news20321.html Media Life Magazine March 2000 May 4, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130617235807/http://www.medialifemagazine.com:8080/news2000/mar00/news20321.html June 17, 2013 deadUPN deal done; Viacom buys out Chris-Craft share http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62239976.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140611025706/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62239976.html usurped June 11, 2014 Melissa Grego Joe Schlosser Broadcasting & Cable April 10, 2000 HighBeam Research subscription June 22, 2013 This had the adverse effect of making UPN one of the few networks not to have owned-and-operated flagship stations in New York City and Los Angeles. Similarly, The WB had the distinction of being the only American broadcast network never to have had an O&O, as although minority owner Tribune operated its core charter stations, Time Warner held majority ownership in the network (with a maximum interest of 77.5%, during the final years of The WB's existence). Time Warner did acquire Atlanta independent WTBS (which served as the originating feed of then-superstation TBS) through its 1996 merger with the Turner Broadcasting System; however, WATL (which Tribune would acquire in 1999) served as the WB affiliate for that market throughout the network's run. That August, when Chris-Craft put its television stations – most of them UPN affiliates – up for sale, it sold them to News Corporation's Fox Television Stations subsidiary instead of Viacom. At the time, Fox seemed to be a willing partner in UPN, but made no firm commitment.Fox in the UPN house https://www.nexttv.com/news/fox-upn-house-87627 Steve McClellan Broadcasting & Cable August 21, 2000 May 24, 2022 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924112714/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/news-articles/fox-upn-house/87627 live On September 24, 2003, Fox Television Stations renewed affiliation agreements for its nine UPN stations for three years through 2006.COMPANY NEWS; NINE FOX-OWNED STATIONS WILL REMAIN UPN AFFILIATES https://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/25/business/company-news-nine-fox-owned-stations-will-remain-upn-affiliates.html The New York Times September 25, 2003 September 2, 2015 October 15, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20151015094741/http://www.nytimes.com/2003/09/25/business/company-news-nine-fox-owned-stations-will-remain-upn-affiliates.html live On December 31, 2005, Viacom split into two companies: a new company keeping the Viacom name (which took the original company's film and most of its cable television properties), and CBS Corporation (essentially the old Viacom renamed, which retained the broadcast properties, along with Showtime Networks). In this "split", ownership of UPN went to CBS Corporation.Viacom Board Agrees to Split of Company https://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/business/media/15viacom.html Geraldine Fabrikant The New York Times June 15, 2005 February 14, 2017 March 6, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140306130603/http://www.nytimes.com/2005/06/15/business/media/15viacom.html liveSpongeBob or Survivor? https://money.cnn.com/2005/12/19/news/fortune500/viacom/index.htm Paul R. La Monica CNN Money December 19, 2005 August 2, 2020 April 4, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130404101820/http://money.cnn.com/2005/12/19/news/fortune500/viacom/index.htm dead The new "fifth" and "sixth" networks On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Time Warner announced they would shut down both UPN and The WB that fall. In place of these two networks, a new "fifth" network that would be jointly owned by both companies, would launch, with a lineup made primarily of the most popular programs from both The WB and UPN. The network was given the name "The CW Television Network" ("CW" representing the first letters in "CBS" and "Warner Bros.").CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment Form New 5th Broadcast Network http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0,20812,1152384,00.html CBS Corporation/Time Warner January 24, 2006 February 14, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20060204151950/http://www.timewarner.com/corp/newsroom/pr/0%2C20812%2C1152384%2C00.html February 4, 2006 dead UPN and WB to Combine, Forming New TV Network https://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html Carter Bill The New York Times January 24, 2006 February 14, 2017 December 29, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141229230626/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/01/24/business/media/24cnd-network.html liveUPN, WB to Merge into CW Network http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising/upn-wb-merge-cw-network-83687 Crupi Anthony Adweek January 24, 2006 February 14, 2017 March 4, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064454/http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising/upn-wb-merge-cw-network-83687 live'Gilmore Girls' meet 'Smackdown'; CW Network to combine WB, UPN in CBS-Warner venture beginning in September https://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ Seid Jessica CNN January 24, 2006 February 14, 2017 March 16, 2017 https://web.archive.org/web/20170316043531/http://money.cnn.com/2006/01/24/news/companies/cbs_warner/ deadThe Math Behind The CW https://www.nexttv.com/news/math-behind-cw-78665 Higgins John M. John M. Higgins Broadcasting & Cable January 27, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212700/https://www.nexttv.com/news/math-behind-cw-78665 live The CW immediately announced ten-year affiliation agreements with 16 WB affiliates owned by Tribune Broadcasting,CBS, Warner to Shut Down 2 Networks and Form Hybrid https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-25-fi-cw25-story.html James Meg Los Angeles Times January 25, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212658/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-jan-25-fi-cw25-story.html live and 11 UPN owned-and-operated stations under CBS ownership, giving the new network coverage in all of the top 13 markets and a reach of 48% of the country. The remaining affiliates were to be drawn from the pool of stations affiliated with UPN and The WB. The CW took on The WB's base scheduling model (two hours of prime time programming each Monday through Friday and five hours on Sundays, a two-hour daytime block on weekdays and a five-hour Saturday morning children's block), which was larger in scope compared to UPN, which aired prime time programming only on weekdays and a two-hour repeat block on weekends at the time of the CW announcement. It was immediately clear that most media markets which had stations that were owned by Tribune would receive the CW affiliation, leaving Fox Television Stations, UPN's second largest affiliate group (after the UPN O&Os owned by CBS Television Stations), without any network programming during primetime hours. Rumors began to circulate that Fox would develop its own network for those affected stations and others left out in the merger.WB, UPN Fold Shocks NATPE in Vegas https://www.nexttv.com/news/wb-upn-fold-shocks-natpe-vegas-78606 Eggerton John Broadcasting & Cable January 24, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212701/https://www.nexttv.com/news/wb-upn-fold-shocks-natpe-vegas-78606 live The rumors proved true, and on February 22, 2006, Fox announced the launch of its own network, MyNetworkTV, a programming service meant to fill the two nightly primetime hours that would open up on its UPN and WB-affiliated stations after the start of The CW. Fox also offered the service to independent stations.News Corp. to launch new mini-network for UPN stations http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-02-22-fox-my-network_x.htm USA Today February 22, 2006 January 21, 2013 September 23, 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20130923100154/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-02-22-fox-my-network_x.htm liveNews Corp. Unveils My Network TV https://www.nexttv.com/news/news-corp-unveils-my-network-tv-78935 Eggerton John Broadcasting & Cable February 22, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212657/https://www.nexttv.com/news/news-corp-unveils-my-network-tv-78935 live Stations List of The CW affiliates List of independent television stations in the United States Following the CW network announcement, the new network immediately announced ten-year affiliation agreements with the Tribune Company and CBS Television Stations. Tribune committed 16 stations – including its flagship broadcast stations WGN-TV in Chicago; KTLA in Los Angeles; and WPIX in New York City – that were previously affiliated with The WB, while CBS committed 11 of its UPN stations – including WPSG in Philadelphia; KBCW in San Francisco; and WUPA in Atlanta. These stations combined to reach 48 percent of the United States. Both groups also owned several UPN- and WB-affiliated stations that did not join The CW in overlapping markets. As part of its agreement, Tribune agreed to divest its 22.5% ownership interest in The WB – a decision that the company made in part to avoid shouldering shutdown costs for the networkConference Call Regarding 'The CW' http://www.tribune.com/investors/transcripts/thecw_06.html Tribune Company January 24, 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20070926231441/http://www.tribune.com/investors/transcripts/thecw_06.html September 26, 2007 – and did not acquire an interest in The CW. The CW and MyNetworkTV would eventually reach 95% of all television households in the United States. In markets where both UPN and WB affiliates operated, only one station became a CW affiliate or a MyNetworkTV affiliate. CW executives were on record as preferring the "strongest" stations viewership-wise among The WB and UPN's existing affiliates. However, as the reorganization was structured not as a merger in the legal sense, but as a new network launching concurrent with the shutdowns of The WB and UPN, The CW was not obligated by existing affiliations with The WB and UPN. It had to negotiate affiliation agreements from scratch with individual stations. As a result, in some markets, the new CW affiliate or MyNetworkTV affiliate was a different station from either the former WB and UPN stations. In Helena, Montana, Ion Television affiliate KMTF became a CW station. In Las Vegas, Nevada, independent KFBT chose to affiliate with The CW. In Honolulu, Hawaii, The CW did not become available in the market until early December 2006, where it was carried on a digital subchannel of local Fox affiliate KHON-TV. The network also affiliated with some digital channels, mainly newly launched subchannels of a local Big Four affiliate, in several markets. Under the new network, a new service called The CW PlusCW Creates Small-Market Service https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-creates-small-market-service-78970 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable February 24, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212659/https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-creates-small-market-service-78970 liveThe Mating Game https://www.nexttv.com/news/mating-game-78993 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable February 24, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212658/https://www.nexttv.com/news/mating-game-78993 live100+ Vital to Growth in Markets http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/100_vital.pdf Daisy Whitney TelevisionWeek RussellMyerson.com January 17, 2005 September 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160117172249/http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/100_vital.pdf January 17, 2016 dead began serving Nielsen markets with rankings of 100 and lower, featuring a pre-supplied master schedule of programs acquired from the syndication market in addition to CW network programming. The CW Plus is structured similarly to The WB 100+ Station Group, which supplied locally branded WB-affiliated cable channels.WB 100 Plus Stations Act Locally http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/new_100_stations_act_locally.pdf Jesse Heisiond The Hollywood Reporter BPI RussellMyerson.com September 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304000718/http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/new_100_stations_act_locally.pdf March 4, 2016 deadA Salute to The WB 100+ Station Group on its Fifth Anniversary http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/russ_myerson_television_week2250.pdf TelevisionWeek RussellMyerson.com September 22, 2003 September 1, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20160304061500/http://russellmyerson.com/media/document/russ_myerson_television_week2250.pdf March 4, 2016 dead In most cases, distribution for The CW Plus covers not only cable but broadcast television as well, including the digital subchannels discussed above. On March 1, 2006, five stations – four WB affiliates and one UPN affiliate – were the first outside the core CBS and Tribune stations to sign affiliation deals with The CW.CW Signs First Five Outside Affils https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-signs-first-five-outside-affils-77609 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable March 1, 2006 May 24, 2022 November 27, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20201127163843/https://www.nexttv.com/news/cw-signs-first-five-outside-affils-77609 live By May 18, 2006, 174 stations had signed agreements to become affiliates of The CW and MyNetworkTV, reaching 105 million households and covering 95.3% of the country (the latter two figures excluding stations in Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands). Station groups that signed up a large number of their stations as CW affiliates included Pappas Telecasting Companies, ACME Communications and Sinclair Broadcast Group, although many other large groups, including Hearst-Argyle Television, Clear Channel Communications and Belo Corporation had signed up selected stations. Sinclair signed deals to carry the networks in early May, despite reservations with The CW and MyNetworkTV reporting demands for reverse compensation.TV Station Execs Debate Choice—To Affiliate With CW Or With MyNetworkTV http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/40247/ Wayne Friedman David Goetzl MediaPost February 24, 2006 July 11, 2012 February 2, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140202121920/http://www.mediapost.com/publications/article/40247/ live While WGN-TV in Chicago became a charter affiliate of The CW, its former national counterpart WGN America never aired programs from The CW through a formal affiliation when it operated as WGN-TV's out-of-market superstation feed prior to December 2014 (although it did carry reruns of select CW series in marathon form in 2013), as the network has enough affiliate coverage that The CW did not need to use the national WGN feed to carry its programming; WGN America had previously carried WB programming from that network's January 1995 launch until October 1999, when Tribune Broadcasting and Time Warner mutually decided that The WB's national broadcast coverage had increased to a level that allowed the WGN national feed to discontinue carrying the network.WGN Drops WB, Adds Movies, Sitcoms http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55897252.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150328150223/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-55897252.html usurped March 28, 2015 Linda Moss Multichannel News Cahners Business Information September 20, 1999 HighBeam Research subscription June 22, 2013Last night Dawson's last ? WGN ceases to air WB programming http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18522684.html https://web.archive.org/web/20150328150224/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-18522684.html usurped March 28, 2015 MaryWade Burnside The Charleston Gazette The Daily Gazette Company October 7, 1999 HighBeam Research subscription Charleston, WV June 22, 2013 Several affiliates changed their call letters to reflect their new CW and MyNetworkTV affiliations; e.g., KPWB-TV in Des Moines became KCWI, WNPA-TV in Pittsburgh became WPCW, WJWB in Jacksonville became WCWJ, WHCP in Portsmouth, Ohio became WQCW, WEWB in Albany, New York became WCWN, KWCV in Wichita, Kansas became KSCW, WBDC in Washington, D.C. became WDCW, KBHK in San Francisco became KBCW, KHWB in Houston became KHCW. Some stations retained call signs that referred to UPN and The WB, such as WUPA in Atlanta and KWBA-TV in Tucson, Arizona, respectively. Between February and August 2006, News Corporation's MyNetworkTV stations and CBS Corporation's CW stations dropped all references to UPN and The WB from their branding. Due to the availability of "instant duopoly" digital subchannels, and the overall lack of a need to settle for a secondary affiliation with shows aired in problematic timeslots, both The CW and MyNetworkTV launched with far greater national coverage than that enjoyed by UPN and The WB when they started in 1995. For several years, UPN had coverage gaps in the top 30 markets, and by 2005 had only managed to reach 86 percent of the population. This resulted in secondary affiliations with other networks (with some dual WB-UPN affiliates airing the latter network's programming immediately after The WB's primetime lineup, and vice versa) and diluted ratings when programs were shown out of their intended timeslots, or the lack of the program airing at all (a problem experienced by many Star Trek fans with Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise). + Stations involved in the realignment by market Market Station Affiliation before switch Affiliation after switch Current affiliation Abilene–Sweetwater KTXS-DT2 The CW KXVA-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV Aguadilla–San Juan WSJP-LD UPN / The WB The CW Fox Albany, GA WSWG-DT2 MyNetworkTV MeTV WSWG-DT3 The CW MyNetworkTV Albany–Schenectady–Troy WEWB-TV The WB The CW WNYA UPN MyNetworkTV Albuquerque–Santa Fe KWBQ The WB The CW KRWB The WB The CW KASY-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Alexandria KBCA The WB The CW Heroes & Icons WNTZ-TV Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV KALB-DT3 The CW Amarillo KVII-DT2 The WB The CW KVIH-DT2 The WB The CW KCPN-LP UPN MyNetworkTV Anchorage KYES-TV UPN MyNetworkTV CBS KIMO-DT2 The CW Atlanta WATL The WB MyNetworkTV WUPA UPN The CW CBS Augusta, GA WRDW-DT2 UPN NBC WRDW-DT3 MyNetworkTV WAGT-DT2 The CW Defunct Austin, TX K13VC UPN Independent Defunct KBVO NBC NBC MyNetworkTV KNVA The WB The CW / MyNetworkTV The CW Bakersfield KGET-DT2 The WB The CW KUVI-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Quest Baltimore WUTB UPN MyNetworkTV TBD WNUV The WB The CW Bangor WABI-DT2 The CW WVII-DT2 Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV WFVX-LD Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV Baton Rouge WAFB-DT4 UPN MyNetworkTV WBRL-CD The WB The CW WBXH-CD UPN MyNetworkTV WGMB-DT2 The WB The CW Beaumont–Port Arthur KFDM CBS / UPN CBS KFDM-DT2 The WB The CW KUMY-LP Independent MyNetworkTV NewsNet Bend, OR KTVZ-DT2 The CW KUBN-LP UPN MyNetworkTV Billings KTVQ-DT2 The CW Biloxi–Gulfport WXXV-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV NBC Binghamton WBNG-DT2 The WB The CW Birmingham–Anniston–Tuscaloosa WDBB The WB The CW WTTO The WB The CW WABM UPN MyNetworkTV Bluefield–Beckley–Oak Hill WVVA-DT2 The WB The CW WVNS-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV Boise KNIN-TV The WB The CW Fox Boston WSBK-TV UPN Independent WZMY-TV Independent MyNetworkTV True Crime Network WLVI The WB The CW Bowling Green WBKO-DT3 The WB The CW Buffalo WNLO UPN The CW WNYO-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Butte–Bozeman KXLF-DT2 The CW Casper–Riverton K26ES UPN / i The CW MyNetworkTV / MeTV Cedar Rapids–Waterloo–Iowa City–Dubuque KWKB The WB The CW / MyNetworkTV TCT Champaign–Springfield–Decatur WCIA-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV WBUI The WB The CW WCIX UPN MyNetworkTV Charleston–Huntington WSAZ-DT2 MyNetworkTV WHCP The WB / UPN The CW Charleston, SC WCBD-DT2 The CW WMMP UPN MyNetworkTV Charlotte WJZY UPN The CW Fox WWWB The WB MyNetworkTV The CW Charlottesville WAHU-CA2 MyNetworkTV WeatherNation TV WVIR-DT3 The CW Chattanooga WDEF-TV CBS / UPN CBS WFLI The WB The CW Cheyenne–Scottsbluff K26ES UPN / i The CW MyNetworkTV / MeTV Chicago WGN-TV The WB The CW WPWR-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Chico–Redding KHSL-DT2 The WB The CW KZVU-LD UPN MyNetworkTV KRVU-LD UPN MyNetworkTV Cincinnati WKRC-DT The CW WBQC-CA UPN Independent Telemundo WSTR-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Clarksburg–Weston WVFX-DT2 The WB The CW Cleveland–Akron WUAB UPN MyNetworkTV WBNX-TV The WB The CW Colorado Springs–Pueblo KKTV-DT2 MyNetworkTV KXTU-LP UPN The CW Columbia–Jefferson City KOMU-DT3 The WB The CW KMIZ-DT3 MyNetworkTV Columbia, SC WZRB UPN The CW Ion WKTC The WB MyNetworkTV Columbus–Tupelo–West Point–Houston WCBI-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV WCBI-DT3 The CW Columbus, GA WXTX Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV Fox WLGA UPN The CW Lx Columbus, OH WSYX-DT2 MyNetworkTV MyNetworkTV / This TV WWHO UPN / The WB The CW Corpus Christi KRIS-DT2 The CW KTOV-LP UPN MyNetworkTV Defunct Dallas–Fort Worth KTXA UPN Independent KDFI Independent MyNetworkTV KDAF The WB The CW Davenport–Rock Island–Moline WQAD-DT3 UPN MyNetworkTV KGWB-TV The WB The CW Dayton WBDT The WB The CW WRGT-DT2 MyNetworkTV Denver KWGN-TV The WB The CW KTVD UPN MyNetworkTV Des Moines–Ames KDMI America One / MyNetworkTV TCT KPWB-TV The WB The CW / MyNetworkTV The CW Detroit WDWB The WB MyNetworkTV Independent WKBD UPN The CW Dothan WTVY-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV WTVY-DT3 The CW Duluth–Superior KDLH-DT2 The WB The CW True Crime Network KBJR-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV CBS El Paso KDBC-DT2 MyNetworkTV KVIA-DT2 The CW Elmira WENY-DT3 The WB The CW WJKP-LP MyNetworkTV WYDC-DT2 MyNetworkTV Erie WSEE-DT2 The CW Eugene KMTR-DT2 The WB The CW KUCW-DT2 The WB The CW KEVU-CD Independent MyNetworkTV KLSR-DT2 Independent MyNetworkTV KMTX-DT2 The WB The CW Eureka KECA-LD UPN The CW KECA-LD2 UPN MyNetworkTV Evansville WJPS-LP The WB The CW Defunct WIKY-LP The WB The CW Defunct WAZE-LP The WB The CW Defunct WEVV-DT2 Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV WEEV-LD Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV WTSN-LP UPN MyNetworkTV Telemundo Fairbanks KATN-DT2 The WB The CW Fox Fargo KCPM UPN MyNetworkTV Defunct Flint–Saginaw–Bay City WNEM-DT2 MyNetworkTV WEYI-DT2 The WB The CW WBSF The WB The CW Fort Myers–Naples WTVK The WB The CW Fort Smith–Fayetteville–Springdale–Rogers KFSM-DT2 The WB MyNetworkTV True Crime Network KWFT The WB RTN MyNetworkTV KPBI-CA Independent MyNetworkTV Defunct Fort Wayne WPTA-DT2 The WB The CW NBC WISE-DT2 MyNetworkTV True Crime Network Fresno–Visalia KAIL UPN MyNetworkTV TCT KFRE The WB The CW Gainesville WMYG-LP UPN / The WB MyNetworkTV Defunct WGFL-DT2 UPN / The WB MyNetworkTV Grand Junction–Montrose KREX-DT3 MyNetworkTV KKCO-DT2 The CW MeTV KGJT-CD UPN MyNetworkTV Grand Rapids–Kalamazoo–Battle Creek WWMT-DT2 The CW WXSP-CA UPN MyNetworkTV Great Falls KRTV-DT2 The CW KLMN UPN MyNetworkTV Defunct Green Bay–Appleton WIWB The WB The CW WACY-TV UPN MyNetworkTVIndependent Greensboro–High Point–Winston-Salem WTWB-TV The WB The CW WUPN-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Greenville–New Bern–Washington WNCT-DT2 The CW WPXU-TV i i / MyNetworkTV Ion WEPX-TV i i / MyNetworkTV Ion Greenville–Spartanburg–Asheville–Anderson WBSC-TV The WB MyNetworkTV WASV-TV UPN The CW Harrisburg–Lancaster–Lebanon–York WLYH-TV UPN The CW Univision WHP-DT2 MyNetworkTV Harrisonburg WHSV-DT4 MyNetworkTV Hartford–New Haven WTXX The WB The CW WCTX UPN MyNetworkTV Helena KMTF The WB The CW PBS Honolulu KHON-DT2 The CW KFVE The WB MyNetworkTV KAII-DT2 The CW KGMD-TV The WB MyNetworkTV KGMV The WB MyNetworkTV KHAW-DT2 The CW KIKU Independent / UPN Independent / Funimation Channel Independent Houston KTXH UPN MyNetworkTV KIAH The WB The CW Huntsville–Decatur WHDF UPN The CW WZDX-DT2 The WB MyNetworkTV Idaho Falls–Pocatello KPIF The WB The CW MeTV Indianapolis WTTV The WB The CW CBS WNDY-TV UPN MyNetworkTV WTTK The WB The CW CBS Jackson, MS WRBJ UPN The CW TBN WUFX The WB MyNetworkTV Jacksonville WJWB The WB The CW WAWS-DT2 MyNetworkTV Johnstown–Altoona–State College WHVL-LD MyNetworkTV Juneau KJUD-DT2 The CW K17HC UPN MyNetworkTV Defunct Kansas City KCWE UPN The CW KSMO-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Knoxville WVLT-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV WBXX The WB The CW La Crosse–Eau Claire WKBT-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV WQOW-DT2 The CW WXOW-DT2 The CW Lafayette, LA K58GA UPN MyNetworkTV NBC KLWB The WB The CW MeTV Lansing WHTV UPN MyNetworkTV Defunct WLAJ-DT2 The WB The CW Laredo KGNS-DT2 The WB The CW ABC Las Vegas KVMY The WB MyNetworkTV MeTV KTUD-CA UPN Independent Defunct KFBT The WB The CW Lexington WKYT-DT2 UPN The CW WBLU-LP Independent MyNetworkTV Defunct Lima WOHL-CA Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV ABC Lincoln–Hastings–Kearney KOLN-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV NBC KGIN-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV NBC KOWH The WB The CW Fox Little Rock KASN UPN The CW KWBF The WB MyNetworkTV Los Angeles KTLA The WB The CW KCOP-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Louisville WBKI-TV The WB The CW Lubbock KUPT-LP UPN MyNetworkTV KWBZ-TV The WB The CW Macon WMGT-DT2 MyNetworkTV Madison WISC-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV WBUW The WB The CW Ion Marquette WMQF Fox / UPN MyNetworkTV MeTV Medford–Klamath Falls KFBI-LD UPN MyNetworkTV Memphis WLMT The WB / UPN The CW The CW / MyNetworkTV WPXX-TV i MyNetworkTV Ion Meridian WTOK-DT3 The CW Miami–Fort Lauderdale WBFS-TV UPN MyNetworkTV The CW WBZL The WB The CW Independent Milwaukee WVTV The WB The CW WCGV-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Minneapolis–Saint Paul KMWB The WB The CW KFTC UPN MyNetworkTV WFTC UPN MyNetworkTV Fox / MyNetworkTV Missoula KMMF Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV Defunct Mobile–Pensacola WFGX Independent MyNetworkTV WBPG The WB The CW Monroe–El Dorado KNOE-DT2 The CW ABC KMCT-TV i MyNetworkTV Religious Independent KEJB UPN MyNetworkTV Defunct Monterey–Salinas KOTR-LP Independent MyNetworkTV KION-DT2 The CW Montgomery–Selma WBMM Daystar The CW WRJM-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Myrtle Beach–Florence WBTW-DT2 MyNetworkTV WWMB UPN The CW Nashville WUXP-TV UPN MyNetworkTV WNAB The WB The CW Dabl New Orleans WNOL The WB The CW WUPL UPN MyNetworkTV New York City WWOR-TV UPN MyNetworkTV WPIX The WB The CW Norfolk–Portsmouth–Newport News WGNT UPN The CW WTVZ-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Odessa–Midland KOSA-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV The CW KWWT The WB The CW MyNetworkTV Oklahoma City KOCB The WB The CW Independent KAUT-TV UPN MyNetworkTV The CW Omaha KXVO The WB The CW TBD KPTM-DT2 MyNetworkTV MyNetworkTV / Dabl Orlando–Daytona Beach–Melbourne WKCF The WB The CW WRBW UPN MyNetworkTV Paducah–Cape Girardeau–Harrisburg WQWQ-LP UPN The CW KFVS-DT2 UPN The CW KBSI-DT2 The WB MyNetworkTV WQTV-LP UPN The CW Defunct WDKA The WB MyNetworkTV Palm Springs KCWQ-LD The WB The CW KESQ-DT3 The WB The CW KPSE-LP UPN MyNetworkTV Panama City WJHG-DT2 The WB The CW Parkersburg W64CS-DT2 MyNetworkTV MyNetworkTV / MeTV Peoria–Bloomington WHOI-DT2 The CW Charge! WAOE UPN MyNetworkTV Infomercials Philadelphia WPHL-TV The WB MyNetworkTV The CW WPSG UPN The CW Independent Phoenix KUTP UPN MyNetworkTV KASW The WB The CW Independent Pittsburgh WNPA UPN The CW Independent WCWB The WB MyNetworkTV The CW / MyNetworkTV Portland–Auburn WPME UPN MyNetworkTV Ion WPXT The WB The CW Portland, OR KWBP The WB The CW KPDX UPN MyNetworkTV Providence–New Bedford WLWC The WB The CW Court TV WNAC-DT2 MyNetworkTV The CW Quincy–Hannibal–Keokuk WGEM-DT2 The WB The CW Raleigh–Durham WLFL The WB The CW WRDC UPN MyNetworkTVRapid City KCLO-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV The CW KKRA-LP i MyNetworkTV NBC KWBH-LP The WB The CW MyNetworkTVReno KAME-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Independent / MyNetworkTV KREN-TV The WB The CW Univision Richmond–Petersburg WRLH-DT2 MyNetworkTV WUPV UPN The CW Roanoke–Lynchburg WDBJ-DT2 Independent MyNetworkTV Circle WJPR Fox The CW WFXR-DT2 The CW Rochester–Mason City–Austin KIMT-DT2 MyNetworkTV KTTC-DT2 The WB The CW Rochester, NY WHAM-DT2 The WB The CW WBGT-LP UPN MyNetworkTV Rockford WREX-DT2 The WB The CW WTVO-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV Sacramento–Stockton–Modesto KMAX UPN The CW Independent KQCA The WB MyNetworkTV The CW / MyNetworkTV Salisbury WMDT-DT2 The WB The CW Salt Lake City KJZZ Independent MyNetworkTV Independent KPNZ UPN Independent Azteca América KUWB The WB The CW San Angelo KIDY-DT2 MyNetworkTV KTXE-LD2 The CW San Antonio KBEJ The WB The CW MyNetworkTV KRRT UPN MyNetworkTV Dabl San Diego–Tijuana XHUPN-TV UPN MyNetworkTV Milenio Televisión KSWB-TV The WB The CW Fox San Francisco KRON-TV Independent MyNetworkTV The CW / MyNetworkTV KBWB The WB Independent Grit KBHK-TV UPN The CW Independent Santa Barbara–Santa Maria–San Luis Obispo KEYT-DT2 MyNetworkTV KSBY-DT2 The WB The CW Savannah WSAV-DT3 MyNetworkTV Court TV WSCG UPN The CW TCT Seattle–Tacoma KSTW UPN The CW Independent KTWB-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Sherman–Ada KTEN-DT2 The CW KXII-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV Shreveport KPXJ UPN The CW KSHV-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Sioux City KTIV-DT2 The WB The CW KPTH-DT2 MyNetworkTV Sioux Falls KDLO-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV KPLO-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV KELO-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV KWSD The WB The CW Independent South Bend WSBT-DT2 UPN Independent Fox WAAT-LP The WB The CW WCWW-LP Independent MyNetworkTV Spokane KXLY-TV ABC / UPN ABC KUUP-LP ABC / UPN MyNetworkTV ABC KSKN The WB The CW Springfield–Holyoke WGGB-DT2 The Tube Fox / MyNetworkTV Springfield, MO K15CZ UPN The CW ABC K17DL UPN The CW Tourist Info. KWBM The WB MyNetworkTV Daystar St. Croix, USVI WCVI-TV UPN The CW CBS St. Louis KPLR The WB The CW WRBU UPN MyNetworkTV Ion Syracuse WSTM-DT2 UPN The CW WSTQ-LP UPN The CW Defunct WNYS-TV The WB MyNetworkTV Tallahassee–Thomasville WTLF The WB The CW WFXU The WB The CW MeTV / MyNetworkTV WTLH-DT2 The WB The CW Tampa–St. Petersburg WTTA The WB MyNetworkTV The CW WTOG UPN The CW Independent Toledo WNGT-LP UPN MyNetworkTV MyNetworkTV / Cozi TV Topeka WIBW-DT2 MyNetworkTV KSNT-DT2 The CW Fox Tri-Cities, TN–VA WCYB-DT2 The WB The CW WAPK-CA UPN MyNetworkTV MeTV Tucson KTTU UPN MyNetworkTV KWBA-TV The WB The CW Tulsa KWBT The WB The CW KTFO UPN MyNetworkTV Twin Falls KMVT-DT2 The CW Tyler–Longview KTPN-LP Independent MyNetworkTV KCEB The WB The CW Azteca América Utica WKTV-DT2 The WB The CW CBS WPNY-LP UPN MyNetworkTV WUTR-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV Victoria K39HB The WB The CW Defunct KXTS-LP UPN MyNetworkTV CBS Waco–Temple–Bryan KBTX-DT2 UPN The CW KWTX-DT2 UPN The CW Telemundo Washington, DC WDCA UPN MyNetworkTV WBDC-TV The WB The CW Watertown WWTI-DT2 The WB The CW Wausau–Rhinelander WSAW-DT2 MyNetworkTV MyNetworkTV / MeTV WAOW-DT2 The WB The CW Catchy Comedy WYOW-DT2 The WB The CW Defunct West Palm Beach–Fort Pierce WTVX UPN The CW WTVX-DT3 The WB MyNetworkTV WTCN-CA The WB MyNetworkTV Wichita Falls–Lawton KFDX-DT2 UPN MyNetworkTV KAUZ-DT2 The WB The CW KBJO-LD UPN MyNetworkTV Wichita–Hutchinson KWCV The WB The CW KSCC UPN MyNetworkTV Wilkes-Barre–Scranton–Hazleton WSWB The WB / UPN The CW WILF The WB / UPN MyNetworkTV WQMY-DT3 The CW WOLF-DT2 The CW WOLF-DT3 MyNetworkTVWilmington W47CK MyNetworkTV Defunct Yakima–Pasco–Richland–Kennewick KAZW-TV Azteca América The CW Defunct Youngstown WFMJ-DT2 The WB The CW WYTV-DT2 MyNetworkTV Yuma–El Centro KECY-TV Fox Fox / MyNetworkTV KSWT-DT2 The CW NBC Repercussions Comparisons to 1994 realignment The WB and UPN were the first major television networks to shut down since the collapse of the DuMont Television Network in 1956, although other small broadcast television networks have also ceased operations over the years. Given the merger of the two networks to create The CW (as well as the eventual launch of MyNetworkTV and the proliferation of digital subchannels), the scope of the realignment caused the largest single shakeup in American broadcast television since the Fox/New World Communications alliance of 1994, which preceded the subsequent launches of UPN and The WB the following year that drastically reduced the number of independent television stations in the U.S., some of which had been marketed and distributed as superstations as recently as the mid-1990s. While The CW's debut affected more markets, unlike the Fox/New World deal of the mid-1990s, it was unlikely to cause the same degree of viewer confusion as almost no affiliates of the four major networks dropped those affiliations to become CW affiliates. Only two former Big Four affiliates switched their primary affiliation, in both cases from Fox to MyNetworkTV: In the Jackson, Mississippi, market, Fox affiliate WUFX swapped affiliations with WDBD in the summer before joining MyNetworkTV the following season after three seasons with Fox. Unrelated UPN affiliate WRBJ, which signed on the air in early 2006, joined The CW. In the Fort Smith-Fayetteville, Arkansas, market, low-power Fox affiliate KPBI-CA switched to MyNetworkTV, along with KPBI. Fox had moved its affiliation to full-power KFTA-TV, formerly a satellite of NBC affiliate KNWA-TV. None of the three stations that were available (the two KPBI's and UPN affiliate KFDF-CA) joined The CW; they were all owned by Equity Broadcasting, which shunned The CW in every one of its markets (KFDF-CA joined the Equity-owned Retro Television Network instead). The CW would finally come to the market the following year on a cable-only channel available via Cox Communications (and eventually on digital subchannels of the market's ABC affiliate, KHBS/KHOG-TV). Equity would eventually declare bankruptcy in 2009 due to a number of factors involving the digital transition and problems with RTV which led it to losing control of that network to Luken Communications. There were several other cases where Big Four affiliates picked up The CW, MyNetworkTV, or both as a secondary affiliation on their main channel or as a digital subchannel affiliation, even in markets where viable non-network affiliate stations remained. Network affiliation repercussions In media markets where there were separate affiliates of The WB and UPN, one local station was left out in the merger. Many of these stations signed with MyNetworkTV including the vast majority of the Fox stations acquired in the 2001 acquisition of BHC Communications (the former Chris-Craft stations). Additionally, MyNetworkTV signed with three Tribune stations that did not take the CW affiliation: WPHL in Philadelphia (which joined The CW in 2023 after Nexstar purchased the network in 2022), WATL in Atlanta and KTWB in Seattle. Tribune had indicated interest in Fox-developed programming blocks such as MyNetworkTV for stations that did not pick up the CW affiliation; the company announced on May 15 that the aforementioned stations would join MyNetworkTV.Atlanta TV station sold by Tribune https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-06-06-0606060173-story.html Phil Rosenthal Chicago Tribune June 6, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212657/https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2006-06-06-0606060173-story.html liveMyNetworkTV Signs 13 More Affils https://www.nexttv.com/news/mynetworktv-signs-13-more-affils-80072 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable May 15, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212703/https://www.nexttv.com/news/mynetworktv-signs-13-more-affils-80072 live In contrast, CBS initially seemed more hostile to MyNetworkTV, and announced its remaining UPN affiliates – KTXA in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex, WSBK-TV in Boston, WBFS-TV in Miami/Fort Lauderdale, and WUPL in New Orleans as well as WB affiliate WTCN-CA in West Palm Beach – would all become independents. Four of the five stations, excluding KTXA, eventually all joined MyNetworkTV.MNT Signs Up Seven More https://www.nexttv.com/news/mnt-signs-seven-more-40349 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable July 12, 2006 May 24, 2022 February 26, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20210226165530/https://www.nexttv.com/news/mnt-signs-seven-more-40349 liveWSBK Boston Partners With MyNet https://www.nexttv.com/news/wsbk-boston-partners-mynet-42940 Michael Malone Broadcasting & Cable June 20, 2011 May 24, 2022 October 7, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20121007082226/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/470021-WSBK_Boston_Partners_With_MyNet.php live Some stations bypassed by The CW that did not take MyNetworkTV instead opted to become (or revert to) independents. For example, the two remaining former Viacom-owned UPN stations – WSBK and KTXA – reverted to their roots as independents (the latter was constrained to independence in any event due to Fox-owned KDFI, affiliating with MyNetworkTV). As a consequence, in three of the top 10 media markets – Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth and San Francisco – programs from The WB, UPN and MyNetworkTV were all available to viewers from September 5 to 17. MyNetworkTV affiliated with longtime former independents WZMY in Derry, New Hampshire (serving the Boston market)MyNetwork TV Signs Boston Affiliate https://www.nexttv.com/news/mynetwork-tv-signs-boston-affiliate-29293 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable July 24, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212700/https://www.nexttv.com/news/mynetwork-tv-signs-boston-affiliate-29293 live and KDFI, while in San Francisco the network affiliated with KRON-TV; WB affiliate KBWB reverted to independent status.MyNetworkTV Signs Station KRON Deal https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-17-fi-calbriefs17.1-story.html Allison Romano Bloomberg News Los Angeles Times March 17, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212656/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-17-fi-calbriefs17.1-story.html live Other stations elected to become (or revert to) independents as well, particularly in situations where either more than two non-major network affiliate stations existed or another station picked up an affiliation with The CW or MyNetworkTV via a digital subchannel. Additionally, four former UPN affiliates became affiliates of "Big Four" networks themselves: WJKT in Jackson, Tennessee, and the digital subchannel of WBOC in Salisbury, Maryland, joined Fox on August 21, 2006. WLQP-LP in Lima, Ohio, became the local ABC affiliate on September 1, 2006. WSWG in Valdosta, Georgia, became a CBS affiliate and added MyNetworkTV as a digital subchannel on September 4. Additionally, while some stations joined newly established or lesser-known broadcast networks such as RTV), whose now-defunct parent company Equity Broadcasting did not commit any of its WB affiliates to The CW, other stations (mainly digital subchannels, cable channels such as those that were WB 100+ cable channels, and struggling low-power stations) which received neither The CW nor the MyNetworkTV affiliation opted instead to cease operations entirely. For example, in Dayton, Ohio, the "UPN17" cable channel run by CBS affiliate WHIO-TV closed down at the end of 2006. Many households around the country were not able to see The CW when it launched, because stations in several markets that agreed to carry the station on a digital subchannel were unsuccessful in securing deals with Time Warner Cable to carry these subchannels on basic cable lineups. These markets included Cincinnati, Honolulu, Charleston, South Carolina, El Paso, Corpus Christi, Palm Springs and Lima, Ohio.Time Warner Cable Squeezes CW Stations https://www.nexttv.com/news/time-warner-cable-squeezes-cw-stations-81083 John M. Higgins John M. Higgins Broadcasting & Cable October 2, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212656/https://www.nexttv.com/news/time-warner-cable-squeezes-cw-stations-81083 live In Cincinnati, eventual independent WBQC-LP moved UPN programming on July 4 to the early morning hours, with the intention of promoting the station's "Independence Day" programming in its place.http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060625%2FENT%2F606250308%2F1025%2FLIFE Welcome to nginx May 26, 2022 July 11, 2012 https://archive.today/20120711215143/http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060625/ENT/606250308/1025/LIFE live Before the merger, Granite Broadcasting Corporation agreed to sell KBWB and WDWB to AM Media, a unit of private equity firm ACON Investments; as The CW affiliated with KBCW and WKBD, respectively, the Granite-AM Media deal collapsed, prompting Granite to sue CBS and Time Warner over the failed deal.Granite Suing Over Two WB Affils https://www.nexttv.com/news/granite-suing-over-two-wb-affils-80100 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable May 18, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212702/https://www.nexttv.com/news/granite-suing-over-two-wb-affils-80100 live In New Orleans, CBS sued Belo in February 2006, alleging Belo tried to back out of a deal for WUPL after Tribune-owned WNOL was named the market's CW affiliate, but before WUPL's affiliation with MyNetworkTV was announced. The deal, already complicated in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, would create a duopoly between Belo's WWL-TV and WUPL.CBS Sues Belo Over WUPL https://www.nexttv.com/news/cbs-sues-belo-over-wupl-78805 Allison Romano Broadcasting & Cable February 9, 2006 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212656/https://www.nexttv.com/news/cbs-sues-belo-over-wupl-78805 live Closing UPN and The WB UPN quietly ceased operations on September 15, 2006, by fading to black after its usual airing of WWE Friday Night SmackDown!; however, the Fox-owned lame-duck UPN affiliates dropped the network entirely on August 31 in order for MyNetworkTV to launch on September 5. Because of this, UPN was entirely unavailable for its final two weeks in those markets; as a result, SmackDown was on several Tribune-owned charter CW affiliates, including WPIX, KTLA, and WGN, per an earlier arrangement with WWE.Benson Jim July 21, 2006 MNT: All Novelas, All the Time https://www.nexttv.com/news/mnt-all-novelas-all-time-29273 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212702/https://www.nexttv.com/news/mnt-all-novelas-all-time-29273 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 Broadcasting & CableWWE, Tribune announce September SmackDown schedule http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/tribunesmackdown WWE August 15, 2006 September 2, 2015 January 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160117172249/http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/archive/tribunesmackdown live The WB closed on September 17 with The Night of Favorites and Farewells, a five-hour block of pilot episodes of the network's past signature series, including Felicity, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dawson's Creek. Commercial breaks shown on the network that evening featured re-airings of past image campaigns and network promotions, promo spots given to cable networks that carried these shows in off-network syndication, as well as ads for each series' TV-on-DVD box set.Schneider Michael Adalian Josef June 29, 2006 WB revisits glory days https://variety.com/2006/scene/markets-festivals/wb-revisits-glory-days-1200336857/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20120218025029/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117946199?cs=1&s=h&p=0 February 18, 2012 December 10, 2017 VarietyBVR78SujJyI Clip of The WB's final night on the air. September 17, 2006. The final night of WB programming, which aired against NBC Sunday Night Football, netted low ratings.Football Rules Sunday for NBC http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings091706,0,3564174.story?coll=zap-tv-ratings-headlines Zap2it Tribune Media Services September 17, 2006 November 1, 2006 March 20, 2007 https://web.archive.org/web/20070320050013/http://www.zap2it.com/tv/ratings/zap-ratings091706,0,3564174.story dead Post-realignment After launching, The CW usually finished fifth in the Nielsen ratings and even fell behind Spanish-language network Univision at times.It's No Gossip, Ratings Slip Threatens CW Network https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121089546043097065 Rebecca Dana The Wall Street Journal Dow Jones and Company May 16, 2008 May 24, 2022 December 30, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20141230071618/https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB121089546043097065 live While the network had some successful series such as Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries and Arrow, concerns over The CW's future led Tribune to rebrand their CW affiliates in a way that deemphasized its network affiliation.Tribune gives CW the cold shoulder https://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/tribune-gives-cw-the-cold-shoulder-1117991420/ Variety September 1, 2008 May 24, 2022 January 14, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160114142109/http://variety.com/2008/scene/markets-festivals/tribune-gives-cw-the-cold-shoulder-1117991420/ live Pappas Telecasting Companies cited The CW's poor performance as a factor in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing.Pappas Telecasting files for bankruptcy, blames CW ratings http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pappas-telecasting-files-for-bankruptcy-blames-cw-ratings Peg Brickley Dow Jones Newswires MarketWatch May 10, 2008 September 2, 2015 January 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160117172250/http://www.marketwatch.com/story/pappas-telecasting-files-for-bankruptcy-blames-cw-ratings live In September 2008, The CW outsourced its five-hour Sunday block to Media Rights Capital (MRC); the network dropped its Sunday night lineup in 2009 and would not air on that night until 2018, with only two hours to program.The CW "Outsources" Its Sunday-Night Block; Two Dramas, Two Comedies Coming https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-cw-outsources-12191/ TV Guide Macrovision May 9, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080511221532/http://community.tvguide.com/blog-entry/TVGuide-News-Blog/Todays-News/Cw-Puts-Sunday/800039275 May 11, 2008 dead CW outsources Sunday to MRC https://variety.com/2008/tv/features/cw-outsources-sunday-to-mrc-1117985413/ Michael Schneider Variety May 9, 2008 September 2, 2015 January 14, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160114142109/http://variety.com/2008/tv/features/cw-outsources-sunday-to-mrc-1117985413/ liveMalone Michael 2009-05-05 Tribune Psyched to Take Back Sundays on CWs https://www.nexttv.com/news/tribune-psyched-take-back-sundays-cws-34685 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125508/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/tribune-psyched-take-back-sundays-cws/34685?rssid=20105 September 24, 2015 September 2, 2023 Broadcasting Cable enHolloway Daniel 2018-02-14 CW Plans Sunday Primetime Block for 2018-19 Season https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/cw-sunday-primetime-block-1202698748/ https://web.archive.org/web/20180218230544/http://variety.com/2018/tv/news/cw-sunday-primetime-block-1202698748/ 2018-02-18 2023-09-02 Variety en-US The CW's ratings struggles eventually subsided in later years: the network beat NBC for the first time in the key 18–49 demographic for a single calendar night on November 21, 2013.CW beats NBC's Thursday comedy block in key demo for the first time https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-the-cw-beats-nbc-20131122-story.html Ryan Faughnder Los Angeles Times November 22, 2013 May 24, 2022 May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212657/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/cotown/la-et-ct-the-cw-beats-nbc-20131122-story.html live Other recent series successes (including the revival of the U.S. version of the improv comedy series Whose Line Is It Anyway?, The Flash and Jane the Virgin) helped The CW increase its ratings year-over-year by the 2014–15 season – at which point, The CW posted its highest season average total viewership since the 2007–08 season with 2.15 million.'The Originals,' 'Arrow' Helping CW Move the Ratings Needle https://variety.com/2013/tv/news/the-originals-arrow-helping-cw-move-the-ratings-needle-1200851732/ Rick Kissell Variety Penske Media Corporation November 19, 2013 September 2, 2015 January 17, 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20160117172249/http://variety.com/2013/tv/news/the-originals-arrow-helping-cw-move-the-ratings-needle-1200851732/ liveThe CW Delivers its Most Watched Season in 7 Years http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/13/the-cw-delivers-its-most-watched-season-in-7-years/403500/ https://web.archive.org/web/20150516004027/http://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/2015/05/13/the-cw-delivers-its-most-watched-season-in-7-years/403500/ dead May 16, 2015 Sara Bibel TV by the Numbers Zap2It (Tribune Media Services) May 13, 2015 September 2, 2015 MyNetworkTV struggled to gain an audience upon its launch. Due to its consistently low ratings with their initial program lineup of telenovelas and its 2007 retool to include more unscripted programming (including televised martial arts events) and movies, MyNetworkTV became a rerun-focused syndication service in 2009.Pierce Scott D. March 27, 2007 MyNetworkTV will try Plan B Deseret News https://www.deseret.com/2007/3/27/20009425/scott-d-pierce-mynetworktv-will-try-plan-b live May 24, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20220524212656/https://www.deseret.com/2007/3/27/20009425/scott-d-pierce-mynetworktv-will-try-plan-b May 24, 2022Benson Jim 2007-02-01 MNT Unveils Schedule With Fewer Telenovela Nights https://www.nexttv.com/news/mnt-unveils-schedule-fewer-telenovela-nights-30081 2023-08-26 Broadcasting Cable enPaige Albiniak February 16, 2009 MyNetworkTV Shakeup Music to Syndicators Ears http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/mynetworktv-shakeup-music-syndicators-ears/34149?rssid=20065 September 23, 2012 Broadcasting & Cable September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125123/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/mynetworktv-shakeup-music-syndicators-ears/34149?rssid=20065 live The service's last first-run program, SmackDown, moved to Syfy and USA Network in October 2010.WWE's 'Smackdown' moving to Syfy http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/wwes-smackdown-moving-to-syfy-.html Joe Flint Los Angeles Times April 12, 2010 September 2, 2015 April 15, 2010 https://web.archive.org/web/20100415180526/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2010/04/wwes-smackdown-moving-to-syfy-.html live Nexstar Media Group, which acquired Tribune Media in 2019 after a prior failed merger attempt with Sinclair Broadcast Group,Neuman Jennifer 2019-09-19 Nexstar Media Group Completes Tribune Media Acquisition Creating The Nation's Largest Local Television Broadcaster https://www.nexstar.tv/nexstar_completes_tribune_transaction_2019/ 2023-09-01 Nexstar Media Group, Inc. en-US assumed operations of The CW on August 15, 2022,Miller Mark 2022-08-15 Nexstar Management Of CW Is Immediate https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/nexstar-management-of-cw-is-immediate/ 2023-06-15 TVNewsCheck en-US and acquired a 75% ownership stake in The CW on October 3, 2022; former joint owners Paramount Skydance (successor to CBS Corporation) and Warner Bros. Discovery (successor to Time Warner) retained a 25% stake, split at nominal 12.5% stakes for both companies.Hayes Dade October 3, 2022 New Day Dawns For Broadcast TV As Nexstar Closes Deal For Control Of The CW https://deadline.com/2022/10/nexstar-closes-deal-for-control-of-the-cw-mark-pedowitz-exits-top-job-1235133428/ January 17, 2023 Deadline en-US October 14, 2022 https://web.archive.org/web/20221014023432/https://deadline.com/2022/10/nexstar-closes-deal-for-control-of-the-cw-mark-pedowitz-exits-top-job-1235133428/ live Under the agreement, Paramount was given a right with the transaction to disaffiliate all eight of their CW affiliates, which was exercised on May 5, 2023.https://deadline.com/2023/05/cbs-stations-eight-drop-cw-go-independent-this-fall-1235357388/ Deadline May 5, 2023 May 5, 2023 Eight CBS Stations To Ditch CW And Go Independent This Fall By the time of the disaffiliations on September 1, Nexstar repatriated the CW affiliations onto their MyNetworkTV affiliates in Philadelphia, San Francisco and Tampa–St. Petersburg,Miller Mark 2023-06-14 Nexstar Stations In Philadelphia, San Francisco, Tampa To Become CW Affils On Sept. 1 https://tvnewscheck.com/business/article/nexstar-stations-in-philadelphia-san-francisco-tampa-to-become-cw-affils-on-sept-1/ 2023-09-01 TV News Check en and signed long-term affiliation agreements with Hearst Television,Lafayette Jon 2023-08-01 Hearst's KQCA To Become The CW Affiliate in Sacramento https://www.nexttv.com/news/hearsts-kqca-tv-to-become-the-cw-affiliate-in-sacramento 2023-09-01 Broadcasting & Cable en Gray Television,Bishop Chad CW Network announces new Atlanta affiliate English The Atlanta Journal-Constitution https://www.ajc.com/sports/georgia-tech/cw-network-announces-new-atlanta-affiliate/IOFROS3Y4JFYDIXFDJYNRUUTNU/ 2023-09-01 1539-7459 and Sinclair Broadcast Group.Hayes Dade 2023-08-31 The CW To Launch On New Affiliate Stations In Seattle And Pittsburgh As Part Of Broader Deal With Sinclair Timed To Start Of College Football https://deadline.com/2023/08/the-cw-to-launch-on-new-affiliate-stations-seattle-pittsburgh-sinclair-deal-acc-college-football-1235532624/ 2023-09-01 Deadline en-US However, WKBD-TV in Detroit would subsequently sign a deal to re-affiliate with The CW on September 1, 2024, alongside first-time affiliate WBFS-TV in Miami; both stations are in markets where the previous CW affiliate had been owned by the E. W. Scripps Company, which announced plans to drop The CW from its stations in that timeframe.CW programming returning to WKBD-TV beginning September 1 https://www.detroitnews.com/story/entertainment/television/2024/07/30/cw-programming-returning-to-wkbd-tv-beginning-september-1/74601259007/ 2024-07-30 The Detroit News en-USGoldsmith Jill 2024-07-30 Paramount Global Stations In Detroit & Miami To Become CW Affiliates In Renewal Agreement With Nexstar https://deadline.com/2024/07/paramount-nexstar-affiliation-agreement-cw-network-1236026376/ 2024-07-30 Deadline en-US This came after Mission Broadcasting, a Nexstar affiliate company, failed to purchase WADL—which Nexstar intended to be the permanent replacement CW affiliate in Detroit—and WADL owner Kevin Adell terminated the station's CW contract after two months.Metro Detroit media mogul sells WADL-TV as feds pursue him for unpaid estate, gift taxes https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2023/05/21/wadl-tv-sells-for-75m/70239987007/ September 6, 2023 freep.com en-USHinds Julie November 1, 2023 Detroit's WADL-TV drops CW's prime-time programming: Here's why https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/11/01/detroit-wadl-tv-cw-programming/71407772007/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20231106202817/https://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/television/2023/11/01/detroit-wadl-tv-cw-programming/71407772007/ November 6, 2023 November 6, 2023 Detroit Free Press en-UShttps://thedesk.net/news/mission-terminates-deal-wadl-detroit/ Mission Broadcasting terminates deal to acquire Detroit's WADL TheDesk.net Matthew Keys May 22, 2024 May 23, 2024 On June 2, 2025, it was announced that WUPA in Atlanta would become a CBS owned-and-operated station on August 16, 2025, replacing WANF, which became an independent station.2025-06-02 CBS STRENGTHENS LOCAL FOOTPRINT IN ATLANTA WITH NEW O&O NETWORK HOME, WUPA https://www.paramountpressexpress.com/cbs-news-and-stations/shows/stations/releases/?view=111517-cbs-strengthens-local-footprint-in-atlanta-with-new-oo-network-home-wupa/ 2025-06-02 Paramount Press Express en-US See also 1989 South Florida television affiliation switch 1994–1996 United States broadcast television realignment 2001 Vancouver TV realignment 2007 Canada broadcast TV realignment 2023–24 United States broadcast television realignment References 2 United States broadcast realignment United States broadcast TV realignment Category:The CW Category:UPN Category:The WB Category:MyNetworkTV * Category:Nexstar Media Group * Category:History of television in the United States