Rejoice, comic book TV fans! The CW has not only renewed all four of its existing comic book-based shows for another season, but they’ve pretty much renewed their entire overall slate. “Arrow” will return this fall for its 5th season and “The Flash” will be back for its 3rd season. “iZombie“, whose fate I wasn’t sure of this year, has thankfully been renewed for a 3rd season as well. Topping things off, newcomer “Legends of Tomorrow” has awesomely been granted a second season.
Additionally, the network has also renewed the likes of “Supernatural“, “The 100“, “The Vampire Diaries“, “The Originals“, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend“, “Jane the Virgin“, and “Reign“. Upcoming series “Containment“, which begins airing in mid-April, will now be an event series, as opposed to an on-going show (unless its ratings are super high, of course). “American’s Next Top Model” and “Beauty and the Beast” have already been canceled, with the former having finished up already and the latter airing its final season this summer.
“The CW has become home to some of the most critically-acclaimed shows on broadcast television, with a wide array of fantastic scripted series across the week, ranging from musical comedy, to superhero action, to gritty sci-fi dramas,” said CW Network president Mark Pedowitz. “As we continue to further our strategy of more year-round original programming, picking up these 11 series for the 2016-2017 season puts us in a great position of having proven, high-quality shows to launch in the fall as well as midseason and summer of 2017.”
That last sentence is key for a number of reasons. On the summer end of things, The CW has two original series that currently run during the summer months. One is the sitcom “Significant Mother“, which hasn’t yet been given an official cancellation, but seems unlikely to be renewed for a second season. The other is “Beauty and the Beast“, which will air its final season this year.
That leaves some room in the summer line-up. Many have speculated that “Reign“, should it get renewed, might take that spot so it can reach syndication numbers. Such a move seems likely and I suspect it will be joined by at least a couple other shows as well, be they new or old. I wouldn’t be too surprised if the likes of “The 100” or even “iZombie” joins it there next summer. The CW is at a point now where they will have enough programming to run year-round, which is a nice achievement for a network once considered a redheaded stepchild next to its more respected brethren.
As for mid-season shows, I’m guessing “Legends of Tomorrow” will continue to retain its shorter episode order to keep the series affordable. If it does, look for Season 2 to not arrive until January 2017, much like the first season did this year. “Legends” is a ratings-success for the network, so keeping it around was a sure thing, but its one of their most expensive shows. Keeping costs down is a must for its continued existence.
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C.L.