Despite the Supernatural powers, The Winchesters and Walker’s future is uncertain
The CW declined to give either show a back order for both inaugural seasons, and who knows about season two
Aux News Supernatural
While it might be too early for condolences to the SPNFamily, things aren’t looking good for The Winchesters. Per Deadline, the CW will not extend the first seasons of The Winchesters or Walker: Independence. This is a strange development, considering four of The CW’s scripted shows are wrapping up this year, including longtime stalwarts The Flash and Riverdale. Additionally, the latest in a long line of failed Nancy Drew reboots, Nancy Drew, is ending after four seasons, while Stargirl is ending after three.
However, both Winchesters and Walker: Independence are spin-offs of beloved properties, Supernatural and Walker Texas Ranger, respectively. And both are reportedly doing well, so it is a bit concerning that neither was given a freshman season backorder nor an outright renewal. The report from Deadline does state that second seasons are not out of the question, but the cutbacks at CW aren’t much comfort for fans.
Several months ago, Nexstar Media Group purchased the CW and immediately began making changes to the teen-fantasy-soap-opera powerhouse. First, they announced a demographic change because, as we’ve reported before, the average age of the CW watcher is 58 years old. Presumably, those 58-year-olds are watching Riverdale for the same reason as teens: They want to see Jughead get his crown. But Nexstar plans to add “procedurals and other older-skewing dramas as well as half-hour comedies including multi-camera sitcoms” to keep those nearing 60 happy–even though they already were happy.
The news follows a series of CW layoffs, resulting in as many as 40 people exiting. This is to be expected as the network’s new head, Dennis Miller (not to be confused with the comedian, cha cha), is a former venture capitalist and that’s sort of what they do. As Deadline reports:
A significant reduction in expenses will be a centerpiece of the new owner’s turnaround plan. “You know us,” [CFO Lee Ann Gliha] told analysts on the call. “We are profit- and cash-flow-focused and expect this asset to achieve profitability.”
It sounds like the CW and Nexstar Media are cooking up some good television.
11 Comments
Additionally, the latest in a long line of failed Nancy Drew reboots, Nancy Drew, is ending after four seasons How many seasons does a show need to run to be considered a success?
*Abed Nadir has entered the chat*
I find it baffling The Winchesters was given a full season order when the network refused to pick up Wayward Sisters which was the superior spin off idea.
It wasn’t given a full season order…
Wayward Sisters had all the right ingredients to go for at least 4 or 5 seasons. All they had to do was go back to Kripke’s original monster of the week set up. Great chemistry with strong female leads.
IKR! Donna and Jodi were some of the best things to come from Supernatural.
This is so confusing. Older people are watching their current shows, but they are going to drop those shows to create ones geared towards what they think older people want. If their viewership wanted those types of shows, they’d be watching another network.
Walker: Independence is much better than Walker. I can take or leave The Winchesters. They fucked around too much with the original storyline.
But Nexstar plans to add “procedurals and other older-skewing dramas as
well as half-hour comedies including multi-camera sitcoms” to keep those
nearing 60 happy–even though they already were happy.
Thanks because it’s true. I’m nearing 60 and watched CW shows as Superman & Lois, Dynasty and Riverdale but they didn’t target me as an age specific viewer, I felt included. The family dynamics of the Kents are not less convincing than the Pearsons in This Is Us. Dynasty was a fluffy Friday evening guilty pleasure and Riverdale… well I know it’s bad but I like the small town atmosphere, the crazy plots and I understand the pop culture references. It’s like a never ending school reunion but with sexier people and Twin Peaks bait (visual style and Mädchen Amick).
I will never watch multi-camera sitcoms with audience laughter, don’t plan to see game shows or “reality” crap. I have seen a few episodes of Nancy Drew which has young leads but is not a teen soap either. What the CW shows clearly missed is testing the limits of network TV, getting buzz. Why didn’t they risk or do a bit more what Showtime, HBO etc. offer when they had nothing to lose in the ratings war? The dependence on producer Greg Berlanti and his superhero shows (even though I liked Arrow and Superman & Lois) was as unwise as it is for NBC and Dick Wolf. You get too much of the same but it’s hard to find new creative visions. The pilot for the Walker spin-off Independence was actually good, it’s for adult viewers and if Nexstar doesn’t see the potential they don’t understand viewers of my age group. It could be their Yellowstone.
But Nexstar plans to add “procedurals and other older-skewing dramas as well as half-hour comedies including multi-camera sitcoms” to keep those nearing 60 happy–even though they already were happy.So, CBS-lite?
Came here to say the latest episode of STARGIRL (The Monsters) was phenomenal!As you were.