Citizendia

"WB" and "The WB" redirect here. For other uses, see WB (disambiguation).
The WB Television Network
Image:TheWBlogo.gif
TypeOnline Network
Defunct broadcast television network
CountryUnited States
AvailabilityUnited States, Canada, Northern Mexico
Foundedby Jamie Kellner
OwnerTime Warner[1]
Key peopleSusanne Daniels,President, Jordan Levin, President, David Janollari, President
Launch dateJanuary 11, 1995 (Television)
April 28, 2008 (Online)
DissolvedSeptember 17, 2006 (Television)

The Warner Bros. Terrestrial television is a term which refers to modes of television broadcasting which do not involve satellite transmission A television network is a distribution network for Television content whereby a central operation provides programming for many Television stations The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Country to "Dominion of Canada" or "Canadian Federation" or anything else please read the Talk Page The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Jamie Kellner is an American Television executive He was chairman and Chief executive officer of Time Warner Inc ( is the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered in New York City. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. President is a Title leaders of Organizations companies, Trade unions universities, and countries. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. (WB) Television Network is an online network that was launched on January 11, 1995. Events 1055 - Theodora is crowned Empress of the Byzantine Empire. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 It was formerly a television network. The website allows users to watch former shows of the network.

On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television Entertainment announced plans to launch The CW Television Network in the fall of 2006. The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. This new joint venture network features programming from both The WB and UPN. A joint venture (often abbreviated JV) is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven The WB shut down on September 17, 2006 followed by the opening of the new CW Network on the following evening. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season.

In 2008, Warner Bros. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common announced they were relaunching The WB into a major online network.

Contents

History

Much like its competitor UPN, The WB was a reaction primarily to new FCC deregulation of media ownership rules under the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and partly to the success of the upstart FOX and first-run syndicated programming during the late 1980s and early 1990s such as Baywatch and Star Trek: The Next Generation, as well as the erosion in ratings suffered by independent television stations due to the growth of cable television and movie rentals. United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven Deregulation, a term which gained widespread currency in the period 1970-2000 can be seen as a process by which governments remove reduce or simplify Restrictions on Business The Telecommunications Act of 1996 was the first major overhaul of United States Telecommunications law in nearly 62 years amending the Communications Act of In Broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast Radio shows and Television shows to multiple individual stations without going through Baywatch was an American Television series about the Los Angeles County Lifeguards who patrol the crowded Beaches of Star Trek The Next Generation ( STTNG or TNG) is an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning science fiction television program created by Gene Roddenberry Nielsen Ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the Audience size and composition of television The WB can also trace its beginnings to the Prime Time Entertainment Network, a joint-venture between Warner Bros. and the Chris-Craft Industries group of stations. The Prime Time Entertainment Network (also known as PTEN) was a United States Television network launched in 1993 by the Prime Time Consortium A joint venture (often abbreviated JV) is an entity formed between two or more parties to undertake economic activity together Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and Chris-Craft Industries is a privately held American manufacturer of civilian Powerboats based in Sarasota Florida. PTEN could be seen as the predecessor to both The WB and UPN, as well as the distant ancestor of The CW. United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven

1995-1997: Humble beginnings

The WB began its life in January 1995, programming just 2 hours one night a week (Wednesday). Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 The WB's first programs were mostly sitcoms targeted at an ethnically diverse audience. Even though four of the five shows shown in the netlet's first nine months (The Wayans Bros., The Parent 'Hood, Sister, Sister (picked up after being cancelled by ABC), and Unhappily Ever After) were renewed beyond the first year, none of them made a significant impact. The Wayans Bros is a Situation comedy that aired from 1995 to 1999 on The WB. The Parent 'Hood is an American sitcom that aired from 1995 until 1999 on The WB. Sister Sister is an American television Sitcom about Twin girls ( Tia and Tamera Mowry) separated and The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. Unhappily Ever After (often shortened to Unhappily in promotional advertisements was an American sitcom that aired for 100

The WB began programming on Sunday nights in the 1995-1996 season, but none of the new shows (including the Kirk Cameron vehicle Kirk and night-time soap opera Savannah) managed to garner much viewing interest. Year 1995 ( MCMXCV) was a Common year starting on Sunday. Events of 1995 Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Kirk Thomas Cameron (born October 12, 1970) is an American Actor best-known for his role as Mike Seaver on the television Situation comedy Kirk is a television show which aired for two seasons on The WB between August 1994 and November 1996. Savannah is an American Prime time television Soap opera that ran from 21 January 1996 to 24 February 1997 Still, the network continued to expand in the 1996-1997 season, adding programming on Monday nights. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar This season gave the WB modest hits in the family drama 7th Heaven and comedies The Steve Harvey Show and The Jamie Foxx Show. 7th Heaven is an Emmy -nominated American drama television series, created and produced by Brenda Hampton The Steve Harvey Show (also known as Steve Harvey in syndication is an American sitcom that aired for six seasons from August 25 The Jamie Foxx Show is an American television Sitcom that aired on the WB Network from August 28, 1996 to January

The WB also added the Kids' WB programming block in 1995, which mixed Warners' biggest hit shows (Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs and later Batman: The Animated Series, all of which originated either on Fox Kids or in syndication) with new productions and original shows. Kids' WB is an online network that was launched on April 28, 2008. Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures (also known as Tiny Toon Adventures or Tiny Toons) is an American Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning Fox Kids (officially Fox Family Worldwide Inc and prior to that Fox Children's Productions and Fox Kids Worldwide was the FOX network's children's programming division In Broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast Radio shows and Television shows to multiple individual stations without going through

1997-2000: Courting the teen market

The WB first began to taste success with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which became a hit with critics when it appeared as a mid-season replacement in March 1997. Fictional narratives (and works of art exist beyond their completion e Year 1997 ( MCMXCVII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1997 Gregorian calendar It debuted with the highest Monday night ratings in the network's history, attracting not only new teenage viewers, but new advertisers as well. [2]

Inspired by Buffy's success, The WB intentionally shifted the focus of its programming, trying to capture what it perceived to be a heavily fragmented market by marketing to the under-courted teen demographic. While the FOX network, the previous destination for teen television (with shows such as Beverly Hills 90210 and Parker Lewis Can't Lose for instance), began to court older audiences with shows such as Ally McBeal, The WB began to craft its identity with teen-targeted programs. Beverly Hills 90210 was a Prime time television drama series that aired from October 4, 1990 to May 17, 2000 on Parker Lewis Can't Lose is an American teen sitcom that originally aired on the FOX network from September 1990 to June 1993 (three seasons Ally McBeal is an American Television series which ran on the FOX network from 1997 to 2002 The network's breakout hit and, arguably, its signature series was Dawson's Creek, which debuted in January 1998 to what were then the highest ratings in the network's history. Dawson's Creek was an American Primetime Television Drama which initially aired from January 20, 1998 Year 1998 ( MCMXCVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar) It quickly became the highest rated show on the television among teenage girls, and the most popular show on the network. The popularity of the show helped boost other network shows, such as Buffy, which served as its lead-in on The WB's new night of programming, known as "New Tuesday," and 7th Heaven, which enjoyed a massive 81% increase in viewership that season.

With three hit shows in its roster, The WB continued to build its teen fanbase the following season with college drama Felicity and the wicca-themed Charmed, both of which set new records for the network when they premiered with 7. Felicity is a Golden Globe -winning American Primetime television Drama produced by Touchstone Television 1 and 7. 7 million viewers, respectively. The network also expanded by beginning to program on Thursday nights. That season, 7th Heaven garnered The WB the highest ratings it would ever see. The episode airing February 8, 1999 attracted 12. Events 421 - Constantius III becomes co- Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. The year 1999 in television involved some significant eventsBelow is a list of Television -related events in 1999. 5 million viewers. That season also saw 7th Heaven overtake Dawson's Creek as the network's highest rated show.

In the 1999-2000 season, The WB expanded once again, adding Friday night programming. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. New shows that season included Roswell, Popular, and Angel (a spin-off of Buffy the Vampire Slayer), which premiered with 7. Roswell is an American Science fiction Television series created by Jason Katims. Popular was a teenage Comedy-drama on The WB Television Network in the United States created by Ryan Murphy ( Nip/Tuck Angel is an American Television series, a Spin-off of the television series Buffy the Vampire Slayer. 5 million viewers, the second highest premiere for the net at the time. During this season, The WB was the only network to have gains in its audience and each key demographic.

Michigan J. Frog logo from 2001 to 2005, taken from The WB 2003 April events promo.
Michigan J. Frog logo from 2001 to 2005, taken from The WB 2003 April events promo. Michigan J Frog is an Animated cartoon character who debuted in the Looney Tunes cartoon One Froggy Evening ( December 31

2000-2002: Broadening the focus

Watch The Frog. Michigan J. Frog from 2001 - 2005
Watch The Frog. Michigan J. Frog from 2001 - 2005

As the teen boom of the late 1990s began to wane, The WB attempted to broaden the scope of its line-up. The 1990s collectively refers to the years between and including 1990 and 1999 Although teen fare like Popular and Roswell had premiered to strong ratings, both series saw serious ratings erosion in their sophomore seasons, leading the network to cancel both (Roswell, like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, would end up being revived by rival network UPN). United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven Meanwhile, even though ratings for 7th Heaven, Buffy and Charmed remained consistent, viewership for flagship series such as Felicity and Dawson's Creek began sagging. The WB realized that it could no longer rely merely on the tastes of young teenage girls, and thus began moving into more family-friendly fare, attempting to launch a successful sitcom, and generally targeting a more diverse audience.

Despite the slight downturn in the network's fortunes, there were a few bright spots during the era. Gilmore Girls, which debuted in 2000, netted meager ratings when it debuted in a tough Thursday time-slot, but subsequently grew into one the network's most successful shows. Gilmore Girls was an Emmy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated American Comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino 2000 ( MM) was a Leap year that started on Saturday of the Common Era, in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. Also in the fall of 2000, the popular sitcom Sabrina, the Teenage Witch moved to The WB's Friday night schedule from ABC, albeit with a significant drop in ratings from its ABC run. Sabrina the Teenage Witch was an American sitcom based on the Archie comic book series of the same name. The American Broadcasting Company ( ABC) is an American Television network. The show continued on The WB for three more seasons before ending in 2003. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar.

In 2001, Smallville (inspired by the Superman mythos) debuted with 8. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Superman is a fictional Comic book Superhero widely considered to be one of the most recognized of such characters and an American Cultural icon 4 million viewers, the highest premiere in the history of The WB. The latter show was also important because it was one of the few shows that drew a substantial male viewership. 2001 also saw the launch of the Reba McEntire vehicle Reba, arguably the network's most successful comedic series. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. Reba Nell McEntire (born March 28, 1955) is an American Country music singer performer and actress Reba was an American sitcom starring Country music singer Reba McEntire. Other series to gain attention during this time period were the family series Everwood, the and the short-lived but critically-acclaimed soap satire Grosse Pointe. Everwood was a Prime time television Drama that aired in the United States on The WB. Grosse Pointe is an American television Sitcom which aired on the WB Network during the 2000 - 2001 television season

The WB logo from 2003 to 2004, taken from The WB 2003 image campaign.
The WB logo from 2003 to 2004, taken from The WB 2003 image campaign.

Also in 2001, The WB moves to the Turner Broadcasting System unit from Warner Bros. from 2001 until 2003 when The WB return to the Warner Bros. unit.

Michigan J. Frog logo from 2001 to 2005, taken from The WB 2003 image campaign.
Michigan J. Frog logo from 2001 to 2005, taken from The WB 2003 image campaign. Michigan J Frog is an Animated cartoon character who debuted in the Looney Tunes cartoon One Froggy Evening ( December 31

2003-2006: Decline

Despite some early success, the network struggled to shift its focus from the female 12-24 demographic to the more broad 12-34 range. In 2005, The WB abandoned its trademark mascot, Michigan J. Frog, as the network's iconic emblem. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Michigan J Frog is an Animated cartoon character who debuted in the Looney Tunes cartoon One Froggy Evening ( December 31 David Janollari, The WB's President of Entertainment, explained in July 2005 at the network's summer 2005 press tour that the animated character "perpetuated the young-teen feel of the network, and that is not the image we want to put to our audience. 2005: January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October "

Still, the move did not seem to help the network. The period from 2003 to 2005 produced only three viable new series, One Tree Hill, Beauty and the Geek, and Supernatural (all of which have since moved to successor network The CW), and even still their ratings paled in comparison to the ratings peaks of Dawson's Creek, which had signed off in 2003. Year 2003 ( MMIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. One Tree Hill is a teen television drama created by Mark Schwahn that premiered on September 23 2003 on The WB Television Network. Beauty and the Geek is a Reality television series on The CW. Supernatural is an American horror television series regarding the Paranormal. Ratings dropped for shows like Angel (which was canceled in 2004), and the network failed to launch new hit shows to take their places. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again "

Although The WB's well-known inability to launch successful comedy series was nothing new (Reba being the sole exception), this period saw the network struggling to establish new dramas as well. Reba was an American sitcom starring Country music singer Reba McEntire. High-profile failures included Birds of Prey (inspired by the Batman mythos), Tarzan, Jack and Bobby, The Mountain, Jerry Bruckheimer's Just Legal, Marta Kauffman's Related and the Rebecca Romjin vehicle Pepper Dennis. Birds of Prey is a Television drama series produced in 2002 The series was developed by Laeta Kalogridis for The WB and is loosely based on Batman (originally referred to as the Bat-Man and still referred to at times as the Batman) is a fictional Comic book Superhero co-created Tarzan is an American television series that premiered on 5 October 2003 on The WB. Jack & Bobby was a short-lived American Television series that aired on the WB Network. The Mountain was a American Television series that was broadcast on the WB Television Network for one season from 2004 – Jerome Leon Bruckheimer (born September 21, 1945) better known by his professional name Jerry Bruckheimer, is an American film Just Legal is a short-lived Television courtroom drama that starred Don Johnson ( Miami Vice) and Jay Baruchel Marta Kauffman (born September 21, 1956) is an American TV producer and writer and the creator of the TV series Friends with David Crane Related is an American Comedy-drama series that aired on The WB network during the 2005 - 2006 Television season Rebecca Alie Romijn (born November 6 1972 is an American film and television Actress and former Fashion model. Pepper Dennis is a short-lived comedy-drama television series that aired on The WB from April 4, 2006 to July 4

During the 2004-2005 season, The WB finished behind rival UPN for the first time in several years, and fell even further behind in the fall of 2005. "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven Both networks fell behind the Spanish language network Univision in the overall 18-34 demographic. Univision is a Spanish-language television network in the United States and Puerto Rico.

It was estimated in 2005 that The WB was viewable by 91. 66% of all households, reaching 90,282,480 houses in the United States. The WB was carried by 177 VHF and UHF stations in the U. Very high frequency (VHF is the Radio frequency range from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. S. , counting both owned-and-operated and affiliated stations (the owned and operated stations were not actually operated by Warner Bros. or Time Warner; instead, Tribune owned and operated these stations, thus its stake in the network). Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and Time Warner Inc ( is the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered in New York City. The WB could also be seen in smaller markets on cable-only stations, many of these through The WB 100+ Station Group - available to TV markets below the number 100 in viewership as determined by Nielsen in a packaged format, with a master schedule; the addition of local advertisements and news were at the discretion of the local distributor, often a local television station or cable television provider. The WB 100+ Station Group was a group of primarily non-broadcast local Cable television outlets for The WB Television

Network closure

On January 24, 2006, CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment announced plans to shut down both UPN and The WB and launch a new network, The CW in their place. Events 41 - Gaius Caesar (Caligula, known for his eccentricity and cruel Despotism, is Assassinated by his disgruntled Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. CBS Corporation () is an American Media conglomerate focused on Broadcasting, Publishing, Billboards, and Television Warner Bros Entertainment Inc (or Warner Bros, Warner Bros Pictures) is one of the world's largest producers of Film and The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. Over the next nine months, it was to be seen which shows from UPN and The WB would cross over to the new CW, as well as which stations across the country would become future affiliates of the new network.

In the end, 7th Heaven, Beauty and the Geek, Gilmore Girls, One Tree Hill, Reba, Smallville, and Supernatural were chosen to move from The WB to the new CW's Fall 2006 schedule. 7th Heaven is an Emmy -nominated American drama television series, created and produced by Brenda Hampton Beauty and the Geek is a Reality television series on The CW. Gilmore Girls was an Emmy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated American Comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino One Tree Hill is a teen television drama created by Mark Schwahn that premiered on September 23 2003 on The WB Television Network. Reba was an American sitcom starring Country music singer Reba McEntire. Supernatural is an American horror television series regarding the Paranormal. 7th Heaven and Reba were originally cancelled after the 2005-2006 season, but were ultimately renewed at the last minute with 13-episode deals (the former show was later given a full-season order, while the latter served as a midseason replacement and, in spite of becoming The CW's highest-rated comedy of the 2006-2007 season, ended rather abruptly). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.

Starting on August 14, 2006 with the Daytime WB block, the WB 'bug' was removed from the lower right corner of the TV screen and was replaced with a countdown of days until The CW launched. Events 1183 - Taira no Munemori and the Taira clan take the young Emperor Antoku and the three sacred treasures Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The CW Daytime is an afternoon programming block broadcast by The CW Television Network. A digital on-screen graphic (known in the UK and New Zealand by the acronym DOG; in the US and Canada as a bug; and in Some stations which converted to MyNetworkTV or became independent stations received a logo-free feed of the network, while others took the main feed and overlaid their local logo bug over the CW logo. MyNetworkTV (unofficially abbreviated MyNet or MNT) is a Television network in the United States, owned by the Fox Broadcasting Company

The WB closed on Sunday, September 17, 2006 with The Night of Favorites and Farewells, a five-hour block of pilot episodes of their past signature series. Events 1176 - The Battle of Myriokephalon is fought 1462 - The Battle of Świecino (or Battle of Żarnowiec Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. The Night of Favorites and Farewells was a one-time special aired on The WB on September 17, 2006. A television pilot is a test episode of an intended Television series. The schedule was as follows (times listed are Eastern and Pacific Time zones):

Commercial breaks featured re-airings of past image campaigns and network promotions. Dawson's Creek was an American Primetime Television Drama which initially aired from January 20, 1998 This plan involved promo spots given to the cable networks carrying these shows in off-network syndication, along with ads for each series' TV-on-DVD box set. [3]

The final montage was aired after an old WB promo from the past. Each montage was at least 30 seconds long, while the final montage was about 1 minute. The final image was a silhouette of the former WB mascot Michigan J. Frog. Michigan J Frog is an Animated cartoon character who debuted in the Looney Tunes cartoon One Froggy Evening ( December 31 At the end of the montage, he was shown taking his hat off and bowing thanking the audience for watching for 11 years and bringing the network to a close. Michigan J. Frog was shown as a silhouette because he "died" about 2 years earlier. Michigan J Frog is an Animated cartoon character who debuted in the Looney Tunes cartoon One Froggy Evening ( December 31

After the network's closure, The WB's URLs were redirected to The CW's website. As of March 30, 2008, they redirected to the Warner Bros. Studios homepage. As of April 28, 2008, they now redirect to the Beta. TheWB. com website.

The final night of WB programming netted relatively low ratings. Nielsen Ratings are audience measurement systems developed by Nielsen Media Research to determine the Audience size and composition of television The WB scored a 1. 0 houshold rating (1% of total households in the US) and a share of 2, meaning just 2% of viewers were tuned in to the WB on its final night. [4] This may mostly be due to certain areas whose WB affiliates became MyNetworkTV affiliates, leaving The WB's final two weeks of programming unavailable in those areas. MyNetworkTV (unofficially abbreviated MyNet or MNT) is a Television network in the United States, owned by the Fox Broadcasting Company

2008 Onward: Entering the Internet

Warner Bros. ' television arm plans on resurrecting the The WB network in the form of a new website.

The new logo unveiled for TheWB.com Beta website on Monday, April 28, 2008.
The new logo unveiled for TheWB. com Beta website on Monday, April 28, 2008.

The site streams free episodes of all WB-aired and produced series during the network's 1995-2006 run, including Gilmore Girls, Everwood, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Dawson's Creek and What I Like About You. Gilmore Girls was an Emmy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated American Comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino Everwood was a Prime time television Drama that aired in the United States on The WB. Fictional narratives (and works of art exist beyond their completion e Dawson's Creek was an American Primetime Television Drama which initially aired from January 20, 1998

The site — which models that of Hulu.com — is ad-supported and geared primarily to women ages 12-34. Hulu is a website that offers free ad-supported Streaming video of TV shows and movies from NBC, FOX, and many other networks and studios In addition to older full-length series, the site features new, short series and vignettes. Each of these episode runs 5 minutes, with 10 installments planned.

On Monday, April 28, 2008, TheWB.com Beta was redirected from wb.com to a new site which is the groundwork for the new online network. Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common The site launched in Beta in May 2008 and it is expected to make it's full launch the following August.

Comcast will offer over 1,000 episodes from the Warner Bros. Television library on its Video on demand service. Comcast Corporation ( is the largest Cable television company the second largest Internet service provider and (according to the company the fourth largest telephone Warner Bros Television is the television production and distribution arm of Warner Bros Video on demand ( VOD) or Audio video on demand ( AVOD) systems allow users to select and watch/listen [5]

Children's programming

Main article: Kids' WB

The WB added the Kids' WB programming block, following its launch, which mixed Warners' biggest hit shows (Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs and later Batman: The Animated Series, all of which originated either on, Fox Kids or in syndication) with new productions and original shows. Kids' WB is an online network that was launched on April 28, 2008. Kids' WB is an online network that was launched on April 28, 2008. Steven Spielberg Presents Tiny Toon Adventures (also known as Tiny Toon Adventures or Tiny Toons) is an American Steven Spielberg Presents Animaniacs, usually referred to as Animaniacs, is an American animated series, distributed by Warner Bros Batman The Animated Series (often shortened Batman TAS or BTAS) is an American, two time Emmy Award winning Fox Kids (officially Fox Family Worldwide Inc and prior to that Fox Children's Productions and Fox Kids Worldwide was the FOX network's children's programming division In Broadcasting, syndication is the sale of the right to broadcast Radio shows and Television shows to multiple individual stations without going through

After the Turner–Time Warner merger in 1996, Kids' WB formed an alliance with Cartoon Network, and over time, they shared more and more programming. Turner Broadcasting System Inc (often abbreviated TBS Networks or TBS Inc Time Warner Inc ( is the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered in New York City.

1998-2000

In February 1999, The WB also launched the American version of Pokémon in the Kids' WB blocks, which they acquired from syndication (TV Tokyo) earlier that year and became a widespread pop-culture phenomenon. February 1999 was a month with twenty-eight days The following events also occurred during the month Pokémon (abbreviated from in Japan) is an ongoing Japanese animated series which has since been adapted for the North American and European is a TV station based in Tokyo, Japan. It is also known as, a Portmanteau of "terebi" and "Tokyo WB also acquired the English-language version of the second series Yu-Gi-Oh!, also sharing the phenomenon that Pokémon experienced.

2000-2005

The Kids' WB aired mainly animated series but also aired some live-action programming. Kids' WB aired a television version of R. L. Stine's The Nightmare Room in 2001, though it didn't make it past a season. Robert Lawrence Stine (born October 8, 1943), known as R L Stine and Jovial Bob Stine, is an Canadian-American Novelist The Nightmare Room is an American Television program that aired on Kids' WB!. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. They also aired a live-action movie known as Zolar, as well as the JammX Kids All-Star Dance Specials.

2006-2008

Main article: The CW Daytime

As Kids' WB shared more and more of its programming with Cartoon Network, because of the 1996 Turner-Time Warner merger and the fact that Cartoon Network was outrating Fox Kids, airing Kids' WB became financially unattractive as broadcast stations started showing only live-action talk shows and sitcom reruns in the afternoon to compete and go after a different audience, figuring children had all moved to watching cable networks in the afternoons. The CW Daytime is an afternoon programming block broadcast by The CW Television Network. Kids' WB is an online network that was launched on April 28, 2008. Year 1996 ( MCMXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar) Turner Broadcasting System Inc (often abbreviated TBS Networks or TBS Inc Time Warner Inc ( is the world's largest media and entertainment conglomerate, headquartered in New York City. Fox Kids (officially Fox Family Worldwide Inc and prior to that Fox Children's Productions and Fox Kids Worldwide was the FOX network's children's programming division A talk show ( American) or chat show ( Global) is a Television or Radio program where one person or group of people come together to

On May 31, 2005, The WB announced the discontinuation of the weekday Kids' WB block as of January 2, 2006. Events 1279 BC - Rameses II (The Great (19th dynasty becomes pharaoh of Ancient Egypt. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Kids' WB continued to air weekdays after this, but with redundant programming and theme weeks until January, and more promotion of Cartoon Network's afternoon Miguzi block and Kids' WB Saturday during the transition. After Daytime WB started, Kids' WB Saturday morning lineup was expanded by one hour.

The block continues on The CW, which replaced The WB in their merger with UPN beginning September 18, 2006 as Kids' WB. The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven Events 96 - Nerva is proclaimed Roman Emperor after Domitian is assassinated Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. It has been unofficially dubbed The CW Daytime, however, on-air promos for the block (which are quite rare) do not give it an actual name. The CW Daytime is an afternoon programming block broadcast by The CW Television Network.

2008-onward

Station standardization

When The WB was launched during the mid-1990s, the network began branding most of its stations as "WB" or "The WB", then the channel number, with the call signs nearby. The call signs were minimized to the smallest FCC-approved size by the end of the decade.

New York and St. Louis

This meant that, for example, WPIX in New York and KPLR in St. Louis were both referred to as "WB11". WPIX, channel 11 is a television station in New York City. It has been owned by the Tribune Company since its inception and is currently an affiliate of the New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous KPLR-TV, channel 11 is a television station in St Louis Missouri. Fox originated such naming schemes, and CBS uses the CBS Mandate on most of their O&O stations. The CBS Mandate, which is also known as the Viacom Mandate, is a mandate used by both Viacom and now CBS Corporation on the company's owned-and-operated NBC and ABC utilize similar, but less extreme, naming schemes.

While Fox and UPN mandated their respective naming schemes on all stations, The WB did not.

Chicago and Los Angeles

Thus, not all WB affiliates followed the naming scheme. WGN-TV in Chicago (on the local feed only as the superstation feed stopped carrying WB programming feed in 1999) used the name "WGN 9 Chicago" in its ID with The WB's logo within the right curve of the station's "9 as an upside-down G" logo at the network's start, and next to a boxed "9" after the station re-imaged in 2001. WGN-TV, channel 9 is a Television station in Chicago Illinois. Chicago (ʃɪˈkɑːgoʊ is the largest City by population in the state of Illinois and the American Midwest of the United States. Most of Tribune's WB affiliates only used the network logo in their station's logo or use "The WB" name after the calls. An example was Los Angeles affiliate KTLA, whose station ID was "KTLA, The WB". Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West KTLA, channel 5 is a television station in Los Angeles California.

Other affiliates

Most WB affiliates also had another standardization name branding scheme: (City name)'s WB. For example, KHCW (formerly KHWB) in Houston was called "Houston's WB," WLVI in Boston was called "Boston's WB," KDAF in the Dallas / Fort Worth area of Texas was called "Dallas/Ft. WLVI-TV, channel 56 is a CW Television Network affiliate licensed to Cambridge Massachusetts, and serving the Boston Massachusetts television market KDAF, channel 33 is a CW -affiliated television station licensed to Dallas Texas, and serving the Dallas- Fort Worth television market Fort Worth is the fifth-largest city in the state of Texas and the seventeenth-largest city in the United States. Worth's WB" and WDCW (former WBDC) in Washington, D. WDCW, channel 50 is the CW -affiliated Television station for Washington D C. was called "Washington's WB. " Some stations which followed this scheme used a regional name instead of a specific city, such as "Capital Region's WB" for WCWN in Albany, New York (formerly WEWB), or "Hawaii's WB" for KFVE in Honolulu, Hawaii and "East Tennessee's WB" for WBXX in Knoxville, Tennessee while others incorporated the channel number, such as WPHL-TV in Philadelphia ("Philadelphia's WB17"), or Mobile, Alabama's WBPG ("The Gulf Coast's WB55"). WCWN, channel 45 is the CW -affiliated Television station for the Capital District of New York State and western New England Albany is the Capital of the State of New York and the County seat of Albany County. KFVE, also known by the brand K5 The Home Team, is the licensed broadcast affiliate of MyNetworkTV in Hawaii. Honolulu is the Capital and most populous Census-designated place (CDP in the U WPHL-TV, channel 17 is a television station in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, owned by the Tribune Company and currently affiliated with News Corporation -owned WBPG is the CW Television Network affiliate for the Mobile Alabama and Pensacola Florida market Many WB 100+ stations also followed either one of these variations on the "The City/Region's WB" scheme. The WB 100+ Station Group was a group of primarily non-broadcast local Cable television outlets for The WB Television

Legacy

Despite its closure, The WB lives on in a number of ways:

Resurrection

It was recently confirmed that the Warner Bros. Television Group is reviving the network as a website at TheWB.com, where viewers will be able to watch free streaming episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Gilmore Girls, Smallville, Everwood, What I Like About You, One Tree Hill, Roswell and many other well-known Warner Bros. Warner Bros Television is the television production and distribution arm of Warner Bros Gilmore Girls was an Emmy Award -winning Golden Globe -nominated American Comedy-drama series created by Amy Sherman-Palladino Everwood was a Prime time television Drama that aired in the United States on The WB. What I Like About You is an American Television Sitcom set mainly in New York City following the lives of two sisters Valerie Tyler One Tree Hill is a teen television drama created by Mark Schwahn that premiered on September 23 2003 on The WB Television Network. -produced series, including Friends and The O.C.. Friends was an This article is about the FOX television series For the location from which the series derives its name see Orange County California. Warner Bros. is also planning to introduce original serialized web-content produced by such television heavyweight producers as Josh Schwartz and McG for the website once it is launched next month. Josh Schwartz (born August 6, 1976) is an American screenwriter and television producer [7]

See also

Footnotes

  1. ^ Sources vary as to the exact composition of The WB's ownership. The CW Television Network ( The CW) is a Television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season. The following is a list of programs broadcasted by The WB Television Network. This is a list of stations which were affiliated with The WB Television Network in the United States at the time of the network's closure The WB 100+ Station Group was a group of primarily non-broadcast local Cable television outlets for The WB Television Between January 24 and September 18, 2006, the United States Broadcast television industry was realigned The DuMont Television Network was the world's first commercial Television network, beginning operation in the United States in 1946 United Paramount Network ( UPN) was a Television network that broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States and that was in production for over eleven According to at least one source, as of 2001, the ownership was split among Time Warner (64%), Tribune Company (25%), and Jamie Kellner's firm ACME Communications (11%) [1]. The Tribune Company is a large American Multimedia Corporation based in Chicago Illinois. Jamie Kellner is an American Television executive He was chairman and Chief executive officer of ACME Communications ( is a Television Broadcasting company that owns seven television stations Published reports in early 2006, dealing with the launch of The CW, suggested Tribune was at the time the only minority shareholder, with just 22. 5%, which it would be relinquishing [2] in order to avoid shutdown costs for The WB [3].
  2. ^ INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE CHRONICLER | Joss Whedon | Television News | News + Notes | Entertainment Weekly | 1
  3. ^ WB revisits glory days - Entertainment News, Front Page, Media - Variety
  4. ^ Football Rules Sunday for NBC - NFL also gives CBS a boost; WB signs off quietly - Zap2it
  5. ^ "The WB" Reincarnate: Online and On-Demand, Multichannel News, April 28, 2008
  6. ^ CW Turns to 4Kids on Saturdays, Variety. Events 1192 - Assassination of Conrad of Montferrat (Conrad I King of Jerusalem, in Tyre, two days after his title 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common com, October 2, 2007
  7. ^ [4] The WB Is Back, with Gilmore Girls and More!, accessed March 8, 2008

External links

Events 1187 - Siege of Jerusalem: Saladin captures Jerusalem after 88 years of Crusader rule Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century.
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