I truly appreciate the boss moves of The CW. They’re not considered a Big Four Network and yet they have steadily built their audience within their target demo and they tend to take chances, unlike their bigger network counterparts. The network is taking another chance for the second year in a row because they have renewed 13 of its series for the 2020-21 season which means that cancellations this year will be highly unlikely.
The renewal of the 13 series is essentially their entire in-season lineup. Returning next season will be first-year shows Batwoman and Nancy Drew, along with All American (season 3), Black Lightning (season 4), Charmed (season 3), Dynasty (season 4), The Flash (season 7), In the Dark (season 3), Legacies (season 3), Legends of Tomorrow (season 6), Riverdale (season 5), Roswell, New Mexico (season 3) and Supergirl (season 5 on The CW, and six overall, with the first airing on CBS).
The lone series to not receive a season 2 pickup is Riverdale spinoff Katy Keene, which is set to premiere in February. Don’t cry for that series though because The CW ordered 13 additional scripts that make its prospects for renewal down the line pretty high. CW President Mark Pedowitz had this to say about the early renewals:
“These early orders for next season give our production teams a head start in plotting out story arcs and a jump on hiring staff, and this also provides us with a strong foundation established, fan-favorite CW shows to build on next season. We’ve been thrilled with the creative direction of all three new serie, and even though we are in the very early stages of our new full stack streaming strategy, which allows viewers to catch up on our new shows from the beginning, we’re already seeing incredibly positive results from our multi-platform viewership for Nancy Drew and Batwoman.”
The CW set a precedent last year when it decided not to cancel any of its series, save the shows that announced formal endings. This was the first time a broadcast network hadn’t canceled a show since 1981. The fact that they doubled down and did it again, speaks volumes about their new streaming strategy and faith in their demo to follow their shows.
This is the first year that saw The CW’s Netflix deal expire and rather than renewing that pact, the network’s new scripted series will have new streaming homes. Batwoman and Katy Keene will stream on HBO Max while Nancy Drew will find its home on CBS All Access. All of the rest of the network’s veteran shows, ending with All American and Roswell, will continue to stream on Netflix.
Will there be room for new pickups for the 2020-21 season? It’s possible. Arrow, Supernatural and The 100 say goodbye this year so that leaves three slots open for potential programming. Some prospects include a Walker, Texas Ranger remake starring Supernatural’s Jared Padalecki, a Kung Fu reboot and an Arrow spinoff centered on Katherine McNamara’s, Katie Cassidy’s and Juliana Harkavy’s characters. Also being eyed is a sequel to 1960’s Dark Shadows and Superman and Lois, featuring Supergirl’s Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch.
