WB, UPN networks consolidate into “The CW”
by Doc on Jan.25, 2006, under Television
In an unprecedented move, CBS, which owns the UPN network, and Time Warner, which owns The WB network, will will merge the two networks into one this Fall, with the new network called “The CW”. The new network will pick what shows it wishes to keep from the existing networks. For markets with both The WB and UPN represented, it appears the 16 Tribune-owned WB stations will have precedence (Tribune is an investor in Time Warner), with 12 CBS-owned UPN stations next and the rest remains to be seen. Boston has both a Tribune (WLVI 56) and a CBS-owned UPN station (WSBK 38 – and they already own the CBS station) – WLVI will become part of the new network, and WSBK will be searching for programming – no word on if it will be sold.