The CW will have a reduced slate of DC-related programming as of the next broadcast season following the Nexstar Media Group's acquisition of the network.
Per Variety, Nexstar's executive VP and CFO Lee Ann Gliha stated during a Q3 earnings call on Tuesday that carryover programming from The CW's former majority owners, Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, will be limited going forward. "Programming for The CW is in place for the 2022-2023 broadcast season, that extends through the end of August/early September timeframe of next year. You'll see that programming is consistent with what the programmers have historically had on the air for that timeframe," Gliha said. "Over the course of the next year, we're really working to develop our slate, which will then come online in the 2023-2024 broadcast season. We will have some carryover commitment for the CBS and the WBD programming in that year, but it's minimal at that point."
Later in the call, Nexstar CEO Perry Sook said Warner and Paramount aren't prevented from selling them programming, but they'd only agree to a deal they like and would consider holding over shows into 2023 that successfully distinguish themselves. Nexstar announced its acquisition of The CW this past August, purchasing a 75 percent ownership interest in the network. Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery each maintain a 12.5 percent ownership stake in The CW.
The CW has long been synonymous with the Arrowverse, the shared universe and media franchise based on various connected television series centered around DC's comic book characters. The Arrowverse debuted with the Green Arrow-based TV show Arrow in October 2012, with the series lasting for eight seasons before its final episode in January 2020. Additionally, the network featured Legends of Tomorrow starring Victor Garber, Superman Returns star Brandon Routh and Doctor Who actor Arthur Davill. Current DC-themed programming that could be considered for carryover by Nexstar include Superman & Lois and Gotham Knights, the latter of which will make its mid-season debut in 2023.
Nexstar seeks to revamp The CW as a network, mixing scripted and unscripted content and showcasing them to wider audiences. The company also looks to expand beyond genre programming to broaden its horizons. Only a handful of titles produced by Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery remain as many shows with their imprints have been canceled or announced their respective final seasons.
Brad Schwartz, the recently-installed entertainment president at The CW, admitted that he's unsure about DC's future on the network but wishes to keep its content alive in some capacity. Former CW CEO Mark Pedowitz previously assured viewers that the network will continue flying the DC banner in the future despite the cancellation of shows like the aforementioned Legends of Tomorrow this past March. Pedowitz left his role as the network's president when Nexstar took over, leading to Schwartz's installment.
Source: Nexstar Q3 Earnings Call, via Variety