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The CW Television Network (commonly referred to as just The CW) is an American free-to-air television network that is operated by The CW Network, LLC, though Nexstar Media Group (which owns 75% of the Network). The network's name is an abbreviation derived from the first letters of the names of its two parent corporations at the time of it's founding (CBS and Warner Bros.).
The CW originally focused on programming aimed towards young women, but increased in programming that appeals to men in 2011. Since 2017, The CW's programming is aimed at both men and women. The CW was acquired by Nexstar in 2022 and plans to shift the network to it's broadcast demographic (The CW's programming is aimed at a young demographic, though that demographic prefers to watch the networks shows through streaming services and the broadcast CW affiliate is around 58 years old).
Content[]
The channel uploads programming that is carried on the broadcast network, including superhero dramas, reality programming, and shows that the network does not own but acquired for broadcast.
Trivia[]
- The CW replaced The WB and UPN when they went defunct on September 15 and 17, respectively.
- MyNetworkTV was launched to supply primetime programming on affiliates that did not join The CW.
- Despite being a major network, The CW does not supply any national news programming or late-night programming.
- The closest to such program is the short lived series CW Now, which was a newsmagazine series that primarily included entertainment and technology topics. The program was not labeled as a national news program.
- The network does supply sports programming, with WWE Smackdown being the first regularly scheduled sports program. In 2023, the network announced a deal with Liv Golf, a professional golf tour that has been criticized for an attempt by the Saudi government to rehabilitate its image following the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
- The CW's two former parent companies (CBS and Warner Bros. Discovery) each retain 12.5% ownership, and both will still supply some programming for The CW, but will be limied by the 2023-24 broadcast season.
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