The CW’s traditional early renewal blitz is finally here, though pickup volume has declined compared to previous years.
The network Tuesday renewed seven shows for the 2022-23 TV season, including All American (for Season 5), The Flash (for Season 9), Superman & Lois (for Season 3), Riverdale (for Season 7), Walker (for Season 3), Kung Fu (for Season 3) and Nancy Drew (for Season 4).
This is the first time in four years that The CW has waited until spring to issue its first wave of script updates. (By comparison, in 2019, 2020, and 2021, the network had handed early pickups as early as February.)
The “delay” — coupled with the more modest number of contract renewals — comes as The CW’s corporate parents, Paramount and WarnerMedia, are exploring a sale of the network. (Local TV giant Nexstar is said to be among the applicants.)
If and when a deal goes through, the new owners are expected to implement a new programming strategy, potentially leaving many current CW series vulnerable to cancellation or, in a rosier scenario, a shift to ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia’s respected streaming -Outlets Paramount+ and HBO are prepared max.
When announcing the contract extensions Tuesday, CW Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz (unsurprisingly) didn’t elaborate on the sales call.
“As we prepare for the 2022/23 season, these scripted series, along with the alternative series we have previously renewed, will serve as the beginning of a solid foundation from which some of our most-watched series will build for us over the next year and beyond.” ‘ the manager said in a statement. “These dramas are also important to our overall digital strategy as they are among our most streamed and socially engaged programs, and we look forward to adding more new and returning series to strengthen and expand our multiplatform presence.”
Where Are The CW’s 12 Remaining Bubble Shows? Scroll down for our “gut check” on all of the network’s in-limbo series.