The Hollywood Reporter- “How The CW Is Plotting a Return to Business as Usual During a Pandemic“
[Context: Due to covid restrictions there were no TCA’s for 2020-21.]
(...) Let’s pretend we’re at TCA: When will you bring Supernatural back? If they boys want to come back, we’re ready to have them. (Laughing.) (...) Last year, you went straight to series on Superman & Lois and Walker largely out of concerns that there could be a WGA strike. Why is this an attractive model for some development this year?
A lot of is dependent upon what we’re dealing with in terms of production needs with ongoing series in a sense. The other is what’s the economic impact. Bypassing pilots is short-term less money than going straight to series. We look at the economic impact and if we believe enough in these shows and that will determine the decision. (...) Speaking of the studio level, Warner Bros. is in the midst of a massive change as Channing Dungey is replacing Peter Roth. How does the changeover at Warners — which co-owns The CW alongside CBS Studios — impact the network? What kind of conversations have you had with Channing about their content pipeline since Warners is your main supplier? Peter and I had remarkable partnership and relationship, and that will be missed. Channing worked with me when I ran ABC Studios and we’ve known each other for a long time. She’s very supportive of The CW and the shows that go on The CW. There are shows she’d like to keep there and get on the air there. Obviously, her priorities may be a little different than Peter’s. We are all working toward the same goal. (...) The CW is a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS Studios. Since both studios have prioritized their own studios, how much longer does it make sense for them to operate a linear network?
That’s a question for them. for the moment, both parent companies are happy with how this is set up. They recognize the value of The CW brand for selling their shows in digital aftermarket.
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