Summary
The CW is undergoing a swift transformation and testing the waters with its programming, shifting away from its prior emphasis on teenage dramas and superhero tales.In a surprising turn, the network has decided to remove the acquired travel series "Down to Earth with Zac Efron" and "Fantastic Friends" from their primetime lineup, even though they had only aired a handful of episodes.
The CW's shift in direction is directly influenced by the rise of streaming, resulting in the network's decision to no longer distribute its shows to Netflix. Additionally, The CW is currently in the process of determining its primetime schedule. The network's constant evolution is showcased by its recent actions of quickly removing two new shows from its lineup. Under the new leadership of Nexstar, The CW has made significant changes, moving away from its previous focus on teen dramas and superhero sagas. Furthermore, it is evident that the network is actively experimenting with the next phase of its development, as it quietly cancels established series and abruptly pulls others after just a few episodes.
Why Is The CW Pulling Shows?
TVLine has reported the latest example of shows being removed from the primetime lineup. The Emmy award-winning travelogue Down to Earth with Zac Efron has been taken off after just two episodes. Another travel show, Fantastic Friends, led by Harry Potter actors James and Oliver Phelps, has also been pulled. Starting on August 1, reruns of Penn & Teller: Fool Us and Whose Line Is It Anyway? will replace these shows. It is important to mention that both seasons of Down to Earth are still accessible on Netflix.
The CW has recently pulled another show besides Down to Earth. Barons, an Australian surfing drama centered around two best friends who establish their own surf brand and eventually become rivals, was also removed from the network's primetime schedule. However, unlike Barons, Down to Earth didn't suffer from significantly low viewership. TVLine reported that it performed worse than certain CW programs but better than others.
The advent of streaming services, like many developments in Hollywood, played a pivotal role in prompting the transformation of The CW. Previously, the network would produce shows that didn't garner significant viewership in terms of traditional TV ratings, but once they were sold to Netflix, they gained immense popularity, as demonstrated by the success of shows like All American and Supernatural. However, when Warner Bros. and Paramount, the previous owners of The CW who still maintain a small ownership stake, launched their own streaming platforms, it no longer made sense for them to distribute their shows to Netflix. This decision ultimately influenced the sale of The CW to Nexstar, resulting in programming changes.
Conversely, it appears that The CW is still in the process of determining its objectives for its primetime schedule. According to the most recent news, it seems that the network may not have an interest in acquiring travelogues featuring prominent celebrities such as Efron. It may take some time before the network, which was once known for its teenage dramas, fully establishes its identity.
Source: TVLine
