What Happened to The CW Network?
The CW Network, initially a joint venture between CBS and Warner Bros. known for youth-oriented dramas, underwent a significant transformation after Nexstar Media Group acquired a 75% majority stake in October 2022. Under Nexstar's ownership, The CW has pivoted its strategy to focus on broader appeal, cost-effective unscripted programming, and a substantial expansion into live sports, aiming for profitability by 2026.
Quick Answer
The CW Network, once a hub for teen dramas and superhero shows, has dramatically reshaped its identity since Nexstar Media Group acquired a 75% controlling stake in October 2022. The network has shifted its programming strategy to prioritize live sports, including college football, NASCAR, and WWE NXT, alongside acquired and unscripted entertainment, moving away from its traditional youth-focused scripted content. As of August 2026, The CW is heavily invested in sports broadcasting and streaming partnerships with platforms like ESPN and Roku, with Nexstar projecting the network to achieve profitability by the end of the year.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
The CW Network Announced
CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment announce their plans to shut down UPN and The WB, respectively, and combine resources to form a new broadcast network named The CW.
The CW Network Launches
The CW officially launches, succeeding UPN and The WB, with programming initially featuring content from both predecessors and new shows aimed at the 18-34 demographic.
Mark Pedowitz Appointed President
Mark Pedowitz is appointed President of The CW, a role he would hold for over a decade, overseeing the network's shift towards superhero and genre programming.
Expands to Seven Nights of Programming
The CW announces it will begin programming Saturday nights, expanding to a full seven-night primetime schedule for the first time in its history.
Nexstar Announces Majority Acquisition
Nexstar Media Group announces a definitive agreement to acquire a 75% majority stake in The CW Network, with Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global each retaining 12.5%.
Nexstar Acquisition Closes, New Leadership
Nexstar officially closes its acquisition of The CW. Mark Pedowitz resigns, and Dennis Miller is named the new President of The CW, signaling a major strategic shift.
CW Sports Division Formed, Acquires LIV Golf Rights
The CW establishes its dedicated sports programming division, CW Sports, and secures its first national sports broadcasting contract with a multi-year deal for LIV Golf.
Acquires NASCAR Xfinity Series Rights
The CW announces a seven-year deal to become the exclusive broadcast home for NASCAR Xfinity Series races, starting in 2025 and running through the 2031 season.
Nexstar Increases Ownership Stake
Nexstar Media Group acquires additional ownership of The CW, raising its stake from 75% to 77.1%.
Projected Profitability by 2026 Due to Sports
Nexstar reaffirms that The CW is on track to become profitable by 2026, largely attributing this to the significant increase in live sports programming, which now comprises about 40% of the network's content.
Major Streaming Deals with ESPN and Roku Announced
The CW announces two significant streaming partnerships: all CW Sports live events will stream on the ESPN App (for ESPN Unlimited subscribers) starting Summer 2026, and a CW-branded hub on The Roku Channel will offer next-day streaming of entertainment programming (including WWE NXT) starting Fall 2026.
ACC Broadcast Agreement Renewed Through 2030-31
The CW Network and ESPN announce a new sublicense broadcast agreement to televise ACC football and men's and women's college basketball games through the 2030-31 season.
Sullivan's Crossing Renewed for Season 5
The CW Network announces the renewal of the hit drama series 'Sullivan's Crossing' for a fifth season, set to return in 2027, showcasing its continued investment in acquired scripted content.
Acquires Poinsettia and Holiday Bowl Rights
The CW Network and Sports San Diego announce a partnership for The CW to serve as the official broadcast partner for the 2026 Poinsettia Bowl and Holiday Bowl, further expanding its college football offerings.
2026 College Football Season Kicks Off on The CW
The CW's 2026 college football season officially begins with a primetime showdown between New Mexico State and Florida State, marking a continued emphasis on live sports programming.
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🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The CW Network was officially formed on January 24, 2006, as a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment, launching its programming on September 18, 2006. It emerged from the consolidation of their respective struggling networks, UPN and The WB, with each parent company holding a 50% ownership stake. For over a decade, The CW cultivated a distinct brand identity, primarily targeting the 18-34 demographic with a slate of popular teen dramas like Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries, and later becoming synonymous with superhero franchises such as the Arrowverse.
A pivotal turning point occurred in 2022 when Nexstar Media Group announced its intention to acquire a majority stake in the network. The deal, first reported in June 2022 and finalized on October 3, 2022, saw Nexstar take a 75% controlling interest, while Paramount Global (formerly CBS Corporation) and Warner Bros. Discovery (successor to Warner Bros. Entertainment) each retained a 12.5% ownership. This acquisition marked the departure of long-time Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz, with Dennis Miller stepping in as President. Nexstar's stated goal was to transform the perennially unprofitable network into a profitable entity by 2025, later adjusted to 2026, by broadening its appeal, reducing programming costs, and shifting away from expensive, youth-focused scripted content.
The new strategy under Nexstar has seen a dramatic pivot towards unscripted programming, acquired international series, and a significant expansion into live sports. The CW Sports division was established in February 2023, quickly securing broadcast rights for LIV Golf. This was followed by major deals for Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) college football and basketball in July 2023, and the NASCAR Xfinity Series from 2025 to 2031. By March 2025, sports and 'sports-adjacent' content accounted for approximately 40% of The CW's total programming time, a key driver in Nexstar's confidence for achieving profitability.
Recent developments in 2026 further solidify this new direction. In January 2026, CW Sports acquired rights to the MGM Slam Tennis tournament. A significant streaming strategy was unveiled on April 29, 2026, with a partnership making all CW Sports live events available on the ESPN App for ESPN Unlimited subscribers starting in Summer 2026. Additionally, a deal with The Roku Channel, launching in Fall 2026, will provide next-day streaming for CW's entertainment programming, including WWE NXT. The network also renewed its ACC agreement through the 2030-31 season in May 2026. As of August 27, 2026, The CW announced it would broadcast the 2026 Poinsettia Bowl and Holiday Bowl, further expanding its college football portfolio, with the 2026 college football season kicking off on August 29, 2026. The network's current entertainment lineup includes shows like Wild Cards, Sullivan's Crossing, and game shows Scrabble and Trivial Pursuit, while its long-running series All American is set to conclude in September 2026. The CW is actively working to reset affiliation agreements, which Nexstar anticipates will contribute to its profitability in 2026.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if The CW Network made different choices?