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UPN and WB Television Networks Merge

The WB and UPN television networks have recently joined forces to create the newest media network - CW. CBS and Warner Bros. will share ownership, Warner Bros. previously owning The WB Network, and CBS, owning UPN. Programming from both UPN, whose shows include `Everybody Hates Chris` and `Veronica Mars`, and The WB, `Supernatural`, `Smallville`, and `Everwood` will also be shown on the new network as one line-up.

A board of equal numbered CBS-appointed members and Warner Bros.-appointed members will oversee the CW. Dawn Ostroff, head of UPN since 2002, will become president of entertainment at the CW, WB chief operating officer John Maata will move into the same role at the CW. WB executive VP Bill Morningstar will oversee advertising sales for the new network. Les Moonves, President of CBS announced the merger during a packaged press conference at the St. Regis Hotel in New York. `This is a historic occasion. This will be the new fifth broadcast network,` said Moonves to a stunned room of reporters and television elite.

The Network is said to concentrate more towards the youth and twenty something markets, bringing a fresh face and joined ideas into one package. Though the WB in particular had struggling numbers with viewers over 32, the network, according to 2005 Neilsen Rattings, had a combined 9 share of the market of 18-25 year olds on their best nights. This is the type of numbers the new CW will hopefully try to build of off.