or


[05/31/05 - 12:00 AM]
The WB Network Will Program Its Monday-Friday 3:00-5:00 PM Block with Branded General Entertainment Programming Beginning January 2006

[via press release from The WB]

THE WB NETWORK WILL PROGRAM ITS MONDAY-FRIDAY 3:00-5:00 PM BLOCK WITH BRANDED GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING BEGINNING JANUARY 2006

Burbank, CA May 31, 2005

NEW WEEKDAY GENERAL ENTERTAINMENT PROGRAMMING WILL APPEAL TO THE NETWORK'S YOUNG ADULT SENSIBILITY AND CREATE A MUCH LARGER AFTERNOON AUDIENCE FOR THE WB AFFILIATES

KIDS' WB!, THE HIGHEST RATED CHILDREN'S PROGRAMMING NETWORK ON BROADCAST TELEVISION, WILL EXPAND FROM 4 TO 5 HOURS ON SATURDAY MORNINGS - -- PRIMETIME FOR KIDS' PROGRAMMING

The WB Television Network will begin to program its affiliate group of over 200 television stations with a branded general entertainment programming block Monday through Friday from 3-5 p.m., beginning January 2006, it was announced today by Garth Ancier, Chairman of The WB.

Simultaneous to this move, Kids' WB!, which has occupied the 3-5 p.m. time slot since the network's launch a decade ago, will expand its Saturday morning lineup, considered primetime for kids' programming, from four to five hours (7 a.m.-12 p.m.). The WB will be working extra hard with Cartoon Network, which sells ad time for Kids' WB!, to make sure that advertisers' needs will be fully met with the expanded inventory in the highly rated Saturday morning block.

�This is a win-win strategic move initiated in response to the changing television environment. Our affiliates have explained to us their challenges in the Monday through Friday kids' business. We have had ongoing conversations exploring different approaches to the stations' and network's needs. We are thrilled with the results which are expressed in the agreement we have announced today,� said Ancier. �This move will significantly increase ratings and revenue for both our station partners and the network. It will create a two-hour-a-day branded block that will provide strong lead-ins for our stations' early fringe and access blocks, which should in turn have a positive effect on primetime ratings. At the same time we add one hour to Kids' WB! on Saturday mornings, fortifying our number one position on weekends.�

The WB-branded 3-5 p.m. weekday block will consist of off-network series initially, with an eye to also develop first-run strips down the line. This move immediately makes The WB a significant buyer of off-network programming, which will be welcomed by program suppliers and producers.

�We have already had informal discussions with a number of studios and plan on meeting with all of them in the coming days as we put together our first schedule,� continued Ancier. �The good news is that there are a number of very interesting program choices for our launch in January and even more choices beginning in September 2006. We plan to announce our first schedule shortly.�

Kids' WB! continues to be an enormous success in the kids' business winning 15 consecutive Saturday morning sweeps races among broadcast networks including this May 2005. Driving this success are a group of powerful kids' franchises, including the blockbuster Pok�mon, white-hot Yu-Gi-Oh! and recent Emmy winners from Warner Bros. Animation The Batman and Xiaolin Showdown.

The WB got into kids' programming a decade ago to develop a strong and loyal following of kids who would then become the primetime viewers of the future. The idea was to differentiate The WB stations in the marketplace and have kids think of The WB/Kids' WB! as their network.

Since that time, the awareness of The WB has grown significantly. In addition, cable networks such as Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon and Disney Channel have changed the dynamics in the kids' business by programming virtually 24 hours a day, seven days a week, fulfilling, to a great extent, the demand for kids' programming in the afternoons for viewers and advertisers.

Additionally, a contributing factor in the decision was the recent Rulemaking by the Federal Communications Commission which mandates that promotional matter be counted as commercial time under the prevailing commercial cap. This Rulemaking created regulatory uncertainty concerning the wisdom of continuing with the Monday through Friday block.





  [may 2005]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· SHOWATCH
(series past and present)
· DEVWATCH
(series in development)
· MOVIEWATCH
(tv movies and mini-series)





[11/28/25 - 02:01 AM]
Video: "Are You Sure?!" Season 2 - Teaser Trailer - Disney+
Jimin and Jung Kook are back for another unforgettable trip.

[11/27/25 - 04:01 PM]
Paramount and UFC Announce Debut Event on Paramount+: UFC 324: Saturday, January 24 - T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas
On Saturday, January 24, fans can watch UFC 324, the first of 13 marquee numbered events scheduled in 2026-all included with a Paramount+ subscription, at no additional cost, live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

[11/27/25 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Pro Bono" - Official Trailer - Netflix
When a respected judge's world falls apart overnight, he joins a top law firm's pro bono team - where hope and purpose wait in humble, unexpected places.

[11/27/25 - 07:01 AM]
Video: "A Time For Bravery" - Official Trailer - Netflix
A psychoanalyst on community service aids an agent shattered by infidelity; together, they will confront danger and discover second chances.

[11/27/25 - 04:01 AM]
Paramount+ Introduces the "Canada Shore" Cast as Series Debut Set for January 22, 2026
Produced by Insight Productions and filmed last summer on the shores of Kelowna, British Columbia, the series brings together ten bold and unapologetic Canadian singles for a whirlwind season of romance, friendships, and full-throttle fun.

[11/26/25 - 08:01 PM]
Video: "Raat Akeli Hai - The Bansal Murders" - Official Teaser - Netflix
When members of the Bansal family are found murdered, Inspector Jatil Yadav uncovers a trail of greed, betrayal and secrets tied to a deadly conspiracy.

[11/26/25 - 05:01 PM]
Get Ready to Swoon with Ahn Bo-hyun and Lee Joo-been's "Spring Fever" on Prime Video
The series will premiere on January 5, with two new episodes released weekly in over 240 countries and territories, exclusively on Prime Video.

[11/26/25 - 03:01 PM]
Animated Series "Love Through a Prism" Casts New Light on Romance Between Aristocrat and Exchange Student in London
In 1914 London, a young Japanese woman enrolls in a renowned art school, only to be surprised when rivalry with a talented classmate turns to romance.

[11/26/25 - 02:31 PM]
"20/20" Is the Most-Watched in Adults 25-54 and Adults 18-49 in Time Period vs. CBS and NBC
"20/20" posted substantial increases week to week across the board.

[11/26/25 - 02:30 PM]
With Largest Viewership in 7 Weeks, ABC News' "Nightline" Ranks No. 1 in All Key Demos
"Nightline" improved on the previous week in Total Viewers, Adults 25-54, and Adults 18-49.

[11/26/25 - 02:21 PM]
"Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary" Is the Season's Most-Watched Primetime Entertainment Special
The telecast delivered 6.32 million viewers and was the most-watched entertainment program Monday night.

[11/26/25 - 02:15 PM]
"Dancing with the Stars" Caps Spectacular Season 34 with 9.24 Million Total Viewers - Drawing Largest Finale Audience in 9 Years
Among Adults 18-49, the show nearly doubled last season's finale episode (+89% - 2.15 rating vs. 1.14 rating), hitting its strongest finale result in 10 years.

[11/26/25 - 11:07 AM]
Flex Game! Anthony Edwards and Minnesota Timberwolves Host Devin Booker and Phoenix Suns on "Peacock NBA Monday," Dec. 8, on Peacock and NBCSN at 7:30 P.M. ET
The previously scheduled Sacramento-Indiana and San Antonio-New Orleans games will be available in their local markets.

[11/26/25 - 10:38 AM]
An Encore Presentation of "Everybody Loves Raymond: 30th Anniversary Reunion" Special to Air Friday, November 28th on CBS
The telecast will replace the previously announced repeats of "Fire Country."

[11/25/25 - 09:31 PM]
Video: A Confession Starts It All - Netflix Unveils Trailer for New Tamil Psychological Thriller "Stephen"
A psychiatrist digs into Stephen, a self-confessed killer's mind and begins doubting his guilt.