That said, Melrose Place is probably an OK show, but let’s be real: both 90210 and Melrose only left the air ten (give or take) years ago. That’s really not long enough to build up any nostalgia for the show and those of us old enough to remember the originals won’t be taken in by silly stunt casting (Heather Locklear as Amanda….wow, didn’t see that comin’!) and “seen that” storylines. I mean, seriously, what can top Kimberly pulling off her wig to reveal a half-bald ginger do with a gnarly scar running across her head?

I wonder what would happen if CW did get an American Idle and it was #1 in viewers for a couple Hours each week how would CBS respond.

CW in its current modle will never be a Fox, but will probably be around for another couple years, as a tax right off.

Even though Wrestling is not part of their current plans, having it on Friday night, and Smallvile on Wed…would turn their overal network ratings around.

As it is I think The CW situation has far too many unknown variables for armchair executives to solve.

If for example The CW is losing $500k a year running Smallville but Warner Brothers are making $1 million a year from Smallville what happens? In theory The CW should axe Smallville but Warner Brothers (one of their parent companies) won’t want that because they can use their Smallville profits to write-off The CW loss and still be making money from the show. Now extend that model to just about every show on the schedule. Obviously the numbers aren’t right but you get the general idea.

The CW seems to take what is an exception on most networks (Heroes on NBC for example) and apply it to every show. Its weird and makes the decision making process very hard to gauge without seeing full numbers.

CBS television ratings indicate that it’s broadcast TV revenue is likely above ABC and NBC’s broadcast television operations, and likely similar to Fox Broadcast’s (although Fox airs only 15 hours of national broadcast vs. far more for CBS).

All their issues are due to billboard and radio advertising cratering.

But hey, don’t let facts get in the way of your ranting across half the internet…

No wonder CBS is in such horrible financial shape, even while it dominates in the ratings.

Someone already mentioned roller derby above…

what happened?

why would you let something that would get 4-7 million viewers per week go like that?

If The CW had the money then sports would be a great idea but I just don’t think they have the cash flow to make it a reality. As much as people will hate it what I’d suggest The CW needs is their American Idol – a cheap unscripted mega hit that gives them a platform to build and promote from. And Top Model isn’t it.

I find it difficult (to say the least) to believe that The CW itself is making money, so the question then becomes are CBS and Warner Brothers making enough cash from the shows they’re airing on the network to cover those losses? With Warner Brothers at least I expect the answer to that question is yes. The other big issue is, can The CW ever really be a success? Would a wider audience focus produce better results across the week? I’m not convinced so its likely that with or without Dawn The CW would be losing money just on a wider variety of shows.

Personally whilst I wouldn’t opt to focus solely on young women I don’t think its the recipe for disaster that its often made out as or that Dawn has seemingly made it into. I would argue that Dawn and The CW’s problem is that focusing on young women has actually become focusing on tween soaps. Take a look at Glee on Fox, hugely popular with young women but would anyone ever expect to see it or anything like it on The CW? I know I wouldn’t.

If Dawn would wake up to the fact that young women will watch more than just tween soaps The CW might look like a better network because in all honesty I think the fact that every show on The CW is essentially exactly the same is the real problem. Sure I’d like to see them expand to young men and women rather than just women but I also think that if Dawn were willing to commission shows that weren’t just trashy tween soaps things would be better. Variety is the spice of life, why would I (or anyone else) watch Melrose Place or The Beautiful Life when One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl and 90210 are already on the schedule and basically the same show with the same characters and story lines? Of course by the same token I don’t understand how CBS is able to maintain so many procedurals that are all essentially the same show with a slightly different flawed genius as lead…

“Kevin, the numbers Dollhouse currently gets on a real network would be considered bad on CW. How would it suddenly be a winner on CW?”

This requires nothing but a “reimagining” of the show with Dushku replaced by a black female wrestler (or roller derby) type. It’s the essence of simplicity.

Dawn Ostroff was the one pushing for a 3rd season. Les Moonves was the one who officially axed VM. Dawn was the one behind it from day 1. Not to say she’s a smart business woman — just that your facts are a little off here.

My guess is CW goes with the socialite in DC show and whatever else fits the Gossip Girl image. *rolls eyes*

If they were smart they’d program like the WB did back in the day. Body Politic should have gotten a midseason launch along with Life Unexpected, and next season should include a variety of shows.

The problem isn’t that they target w18-34, it’s that they assume women 18-34 only want to watch shows about other women being trashy whores.

Glee and Grey’s Anatomy don’t fit that CW image but I have a feeling CW would kill for their w18-34 numbers.

I don’t even know why the WB bothers with the CW. They should just separate and re-launch with new series, and of course, Smallville, Supernatural, Vampire Diaries, Gossip Girl and One Tree Hill. The WB had variety, and that’s why it worked better than the CW ever has.

The CW is complete fail in its promotion, so people don’t tune in. I mean, “Bitches in Britches” – WTF?!?

…more than that, I cannot legally say – and believe me, I would if I could

I think it is time for CBS and Warner Bros to give her marching orders and bring in someone who has a clue.

At least the CW is recognizing its utter fail. Besides midseason which apparently is when “CW execs believe their real momentum will come in midseason…[with] the highly touted relationship drama “Life Unexpected” joins the sked”. Touted by who exactly? Anyway, they’re frantic at work on a # of shows for next season:

Spy School for Girls: okay, it sounds trashy, but maybe in a good way. Might depend on the ages of the girls. Like, if it’s Gossip Girl with spies or if it’s Alias-ish.
Nashville: about a female country singer who’ll become a star. Sounds boring.
Plymouth Rock: from the creator of VERONICA MARS. Okay, it’s about “young people on a ship traveling to a distant planet in order to colonize and save the human race.” But, you know, if he casts Kristen Bell…
Confessions of a Backup Dancer: look at title. Sounds stupid.
The March Sisters: Little Women meets Sex and the City. Wtf sounds ridiculous.
Drama about socialite at a DA’s office. Sounds boring.
Bitches in Britches: family soap in “equestrian world.” Sounds boring

So 2 seem possibly promising, the two that are potentially about women who save people and/or kick ass which is my favorite kind of show…i.e. Buffy, Veronica Mars, Wonderfalls, Alias Seasons 1&2…

It’s the same reason Everybody Hates Chris is doing better in reruns on Nickolodeon then it ever done on CW. CW should have broadened their horizons and not boxed themselves in. Like I said on another TBTN post, CW have now boxed themselves in. Melrose’s original fans probably the new show is aimed for the teens, and the teens who watch the CW can’t relate to a show about twenty somethings. The annoying thing is Melrose is growing to be a pretty decent show, but CW need to rethink their business model.

How can a national network survive only targeting teenage girls? I suspect it can’t. Unless they air Vampire Diaries 2 hours a night 5 nights a week.

Hey, maybe it’s the blonde coloring that has whacked up her decision- making skills? Maybe?

The bigger question is: what does the CW want to become? A network actually competing against the big four, or little more than Lifetime2?

The Game is a huge beast BET as it reruns very well for them so this isn’t a surprise but it is a surprise that a repeat of something they canceled beats their most hyped pilot of the fall.

Somebody mentioned earlier about them getting whatever NBC canceled. That wouldn’t be a bad idea at all. They could strike gold if they ever got Mercy which is could be a potential hit if it goes in the direction with picking up new viewers.

thats exactly what Dawn needs to realize. Young people don’t just like Teen Shows (which their ratings show) They like shows like House, Grey’s Anatomy, CSI, Desperate Housewives, NCIS. So, CW needs variety! Target everyone! not just young women cuz thats obviously not working

Who besides Dawn thinks the focus on only W18-34 is a good idea? Les Moonves?

Wait — is this a clever ploy by Nina Tassler –
“Sure, Dawnie. Focus on W18-34. Fabulous idea! Les will love it, I promise!”

Please. Most young people would much prefer to watch CSI or Survivor or House a hundred other high quality shows than the crap that CW puts on.

IF they want to have a youth night then have a youth night otherwise they have GOT to start broadening the appeal of their network.

They need to take a big risk somewhere along the line. Pay some big name actor a ridiculous amount of money to do a season of a show filled with sex and violence then come back and tell me where the numbers are at.