or


[07/30/12 - 10:56 AM]
The CW at TCA: Pedowitz Talks Lessons from Last Season, Ambitions for New Season
By Brian Ford Sullivan (TFC)

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- "It's amazing what happens when you have just a phone call and a discussion," The CW President Mark Pedowitz told reporters about last week's news that the network was considering a small screen take on the cult Japanese film franchise "Battle Royale." "We'd love to do it. Hopefully, we'll be able to make a deal with the producers, and we'll see where it goes. But at this point in time, it's just a discussion for development."

Said comments came during the netlet's executive session at the TCA Summer Press Tour, during which Pedowitz addressed a slew of topics:

-- On the chief takeaway from "Ringer": "One of the things you learn about the level of these serialized shows is less may be more. 22 might have been too many. So if there's ever a consideration that we do it, we'd probably go anywhere between 6 and 13." He would add that, "when [Sarah Michelle Gellar's] ready, she would love to come back, and The CW would love to have her at The CW either as an actress or as a producer."

-- Pedowitz affirmed they plan to air the remaining episodes of "The L.A. Complex" produced to date this summer (click here for more on how that will work). "The show actually does really well for us digitally and in the social media space. I think it's a well-made show with the show right down in the wheelhouse. There's a sense of reality of what it's like to try to make it in the Hollywood area in the entertainment industry; supportive of it, great showrunners. Marty Gero is just fantastic. I hope to be in business with him for a long time."

-- On how its "Gossip Girl" send-off and midseason plans going forward: "We will run 10 episodes this year, and it will end in mid-December. We felt that, to get 'Carrie Diaries' also out of the clutter of the fall, the best time to launch it would be mid-January, and the goal for both 'Carrie Diaries' and for 'Cult' was to run them 13 straight.

-- "I wish it performed slightly better in the ratings," Pedowitz said about its summer entry "Breaking Pointe." "But one thing I can say is it's a digital online success, a combination between CWTV.com, Hulu, and our app, we're seeing great digital numbers, and it's under consideration for continuing."

-- Pedowitz likewise assured that "The Selection" is still being considered for series. "The producers and writers have gone back and are re scripting as we speak. We'll hopefully see something soon or make a determination whether to go forward. Big believer in the show. I really wanted a show that had a 'Game of Thrones'/'Hunger Games' tone, and we hope it's 'The Selection.' If it's not, then we will look at another arena to go to in terms of that."

-- "Supernatural" was a "no question" renewal. "The guys are great. The show is great. We felt that it deserved another crack, particularly having... a lead out from 'Arrow,' because it did so well when 'Smallville' was there. So we're big believers in the show." As for the new season, Pedowitz teased that "there will be a lapse of time before Dean gets out of Purgatory, and Sam will have been on his happy way for a period of time without hunting for anything. So it will take off with the two brothers once more."

-- As for "Hart of Dixie," the executive said the show "really found its legs" by the end of the season. "'Hart of Dixie' was the leading streamed show on Hulu for us, and in terms of where it's going, the love triangle on 'Hart of Dixie' will continue."

-- On expanding the network's target demographic: "We're an adult 18-34 network. We are in need of having some men come to our network. The loss of 'Smallville' actually had an impact to us. We believe particularly with 'Arrow,' as much as it appeals to men, Stephen seems to have sort of an appeal to women also.

-- Pedowitz also teased what's on tap for "The Vampire Diaries" - "As you know, the season ended with Elena becoming a vampire, and the goal is how she adjusts to her being a vampire and does she follow Stefan's path or does she follow Damon's path? So does the vampire bloodlust get her or not?" - as well as "Nikita" - "She is now not alone. She and Ryan are running Division. They will be searching out the rogue agents. It's a little bit of a Scooby Doo gang in terms now, so she's not just a lone assassin trying to avenge everything. She's part of a team and family, and she and Michael will continue their romantic interest."

-- He also affirmed his desire to continue to expand into comedy. "Interest is very strong," he said. "We developed about eight scripts last year. There were two that we're very interested in. We may until we stabilize the schedule a little bit, which will be after this fall, we'll re look at it. Thom Sherman and his team are actually okay to go develop other comedies if they can find them. We may end up actually doing them through digital as a way to get them done in the different form. We are looking at whether they should be single camera or multi-camera. They have to be different for us, but they have to have a strong female perspective."

-- And finally, Pedowitz indicated their "TV Now!" re-branding is a reflection of their attitude about ratings. "We are aggregated across the board with a lot of viewers. The digital streaming numbers on our shows combined with Hulu and Netflix and CWTV.com and the app are astronomical. So we look at it vastly different. We can monitor or we can measure who's watching us on digital, but it does not count with the Nielsen ratings. And Nielsen is trying to do the best they can. And us, the networks, the advertisers, the affiliates are all looking for an accurate measurement so that every person is counted who's actually watching the show."





  [july 2012]  
S
M
T
W
T
F
S


· ARROW (CW)
· BATTLE ROYALE (CW)
· BREAKING POINTE (CW)
· CARRIE DIARIES, THE (CW)
· CULT (CW)
· GOSSIP GIRL (CW)
· HART OF DIXIE (CW)
· LA COMPLEX, THE (CW)
· NIKITA (CW)
· RINGER (CW)
· SELECTION, THE - 2012 VERSION (CW)
· SUPERNATURAL (CW)
· VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE (CW)





[03/18/24 - 01:59 PM]
Chrissy Metz, Jaime Ray Newman, Katie Lowes, and George Ferrier Join as Series Regulars for Starz's New Drama "The Hunting Wives"
Production on the thrilling new series has started in Charlotte, North Carolina.

[03/18/24 - 11:30 AM]
Video: ALLBLK Releases Trailer for the World Premiere of New Thriller, "The Influencer" Premiering Thursday, April 4
The original film stars Christina Cooper as Niecy Fields, a social media influencer on the cusp of stardom.

[03/18/24 - 10:06 AM]
E! Announces Trendsetting Guest Judges and Pioneering Disruptors for New Cutting-Edge Design Competition Series "OMG Fashun" with Julia Fox
Handcrafted is the new haute couture on "OMG Fashun" as Julia inspires pioneering fashion disruptors to upend traditional style convention, break the rules and redefine cool.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
Video: Peacock Debuts Trailer For New Original Documentary "Bray Wyatt: Becoming Immortal" Premiering April 1
The documentary looks at the remarkable career of the late Windham Rotunda also known as Bray Wyatt, one of the most skillful, tenacious, and creative WWE Superstars of all-time.

[03/18/24 - 10:00 AM]
NBC Is the Official Home of Competition and Games This Summer with a Slate of Powerhouse Hit Series
NBC is the summer home for both the Paris Olympic Games and high-stakes competition with a robust lineup of returning powerhouse favorites, including "America's Got Talent," "American Ninja Warrior," "Password," "The Wall" and "Weakest Link."

[03/18/24 - 09:02 AM]
Netflix Announces News About 26 Upcoming Nordic Titles - Including 12 Brand New Titles
Plus: the streamer offers new looks at "Deliver Me," "The Helicopter Heist," "Ronja the Robber's Daughter," "Billionaire Island" and season two of "Baby Fever."

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: "Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver" - Official Trailer - Netflix
The rebels gear up for battle against the ruthless forces of the Motherworld as unbreakable bonds are forged, heroes emerge - and legends are made.

[03/18/24 - 09:01 AM]
Video: Disney's "Wish" - Streaming April 3rd - Disney+
Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Wish" is an all-new musical-comedy welcoming audiences to the magical kingdom of Rosas, where Asha, a sharp-witted idealist, makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force - a little ball of boundless energy called Star.

[03/18/24 - 08:01 AM]
Video: "Our Living World" - Cate Blanchett - Official Trailer - Netflix
This stunning nature series narrated by Cate Blanchett explores the intelligence, resourcefulness and interconnectedness of life on our planet.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Acorn TV Fan-Favorite "Harry Wild" Returns Monday, May 13
Season three consists of six episodes and will be available on Acorn TV in the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

[03/18/24 - 08:00 AM]
Prime Video Orders "Beast Games" from MrBeast and Amazon MGM Studios
Based on his already successful YouTube show, "Beast Games" is set to become the biggest reality competition series ever with 1000 contestants competing for a $5 million dollar cash prize which will be the biggest single prize in the history of television and streaming.

[03/18/24 - 07:14 AM]
ESPN+ Original Series "Full Court Press" Presented by State Farm Featuring Caitlin Clark, Kamilla Cardoso and Kiki Rice to Premiere May 11 & 12 on ABC and ESPN+
From Iowa's historic preseason game that broke attendance records all the way through the WNBA draft in April, the series uses unparalleled access, exclusive interviews, and unique game footage, to transport audiences into the lives of these exceptional athletes.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: "Scoop" - Official Trailer - Netflix
Inspired by real events, this fictional dramatization gives an insider account of how the women of Newsnight secured Prince Andrew's infamous interview.

[03/18/24 - 06:01 AM]
Video: Apple TV+ Debuts Trailer for Season Two of Iconic Emmy Award-Winning Series "Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock," Premiering Globally March 29
Award-winning season two cast includes the return of Daveed Diggs alongside Ariana DeBose, Brett Goldstein, Catherine O'Hara, Adam Lambert and K-pop group aespa in guest star roles.

[03/18/24 - 04:01 AM]
Video: "Joy" - First Look Teaser - Netflix
Starring Thomasin McKenzie, James Norton and Bill Nighy, the new film based on the story of the birth of IVF.