With NBCUniversal’s cable upfront presentation folded into NBC’s upfront, the CW is the last television network to present its new schedule to advertisers this week. The CW’s lineup already has attracted special attention with the buzzy recent recruitment of Supergirl from sister network CBS. It is staying in its Monday 8 PM slot to create a four-night pattern of DC anchors in the hour. The CW’s (brand) new series include Riverdale, based on the Archie comics charters, which was held for midseason; romance No Tomorrow; and Frequency, based on the movie, which will follow The Flash and Arrow, respectively.
No glow-in-the-dark wristbands for upfront presentation attendees this time but as usual, cheerful millennials usher media buyers into the New York City Center.
Another CW upfront presentation tradition is kept — opening the show with a performance of a band that will be a flavor of the summer. This time it is Fitz and the Tantrums.
After the CW’s head of sale declares that the CW had “its best season ever,” Golden Globe-winning stars Rachel Bloom of ‘Crazy Ex-Girlfriend’ and Gina Rodriguez of ‘Jane the Virgin’ salute the CW for its 10th anniversary and engage in a round of “Never Have I Ever”
But it was the end of the their set where the two went off the script that is getting the audience in a frenzy. Rodriguez praised the network for “supporting so many shows about women and ran by women”. “Wonder it took so long, because we are half of the world,” Bloom deadpanned, before the two introduced “the man who made it all possible for us,” the CW president Mark Pedowitz. The comment resonated even more after the CW sibling yesterday had to defend its lineup of 6 new series, all centered on white male characters.
Acknowledging how tired ad buyers are by now, Pedowitz promises “to have you out of here in a flash,” accompanied with the visual and sound effect from the show. “You’ve got to use what you’ve got,” he says.
Pedowitz does not keep ’em waiting, kicking off the presentation by introducing the stars of the CW’s current superhero series, who welcome ‘Supergirl’s Melissa Benoist into the fold.
“It belongs here,” Pedowitz says of “Supergirl,” reiterating that the newcomer will join the other 3 DC shows for “the biggest ever” crossover in December.
The first of the newly picked up CW series to be introduced is high-concept romantic comedy-drama ‘No Tomorrow’, whose trailer plays well.
Next off is ‘Frequency’, a series based on the movie that changes the father-son dynamic of the original with a young women at the center. It does well too.
A look at the CW’s digital offerings is next, including an announcement of the expansion of the CW app, which will offer five “rolling episodes” on all OTT platforms. The newest will become available the day after they air on TV.
But it was the end of the their set where the two went off the script that is getting the audience in a frenzy. Rodriguez praised the network for “supporting so many shows about women and run by women”. “Wonder it took so long, because we are half of the world,” Bloom deadpanned, before the two introduced “the man who made it all possible for us,” the CW president Mark Pedowitz. The comment resonated even more after the CW sibling CBS yesterday had to defend its lineup of 6 new series, all centered on white male characters.
After a walk through the fall schedule, Pedowitz says, “Welcome to Riverdale,” introducing the midseason drama produced by Greg Berlanti.
The trailer plays like “Gossip Girl” meets “Twin Peaks,” a dark muster mystery. The audience seems a little confused.
And since the CW is heading into its 10th anniversary, the network wraps its presentation with a reel featuring highlights from the last decade, from “Smallville”, “Veronica Mars” and “Gilmore Girls” to today’s lineup.
And, in a flash, the CW presentation is over, clocking in at a little over 45 min.
