Acquired Programming Fills The Schedule

With a high concentration of acquired programming, The CW has announced a primetime line-up marking changes on five of its seven nights. Unlike the once traditional CW schedule, there is not a superhero in sight.

The network will introduce seven acquired scripted series: dramas 61st Street, Sullivan’s Crossing and The Spencer Sisters; sitcoms Son of the Critch, Run the Burbs, Children Ruin Everything and Everyone Else Burns; and the reality dating franchise FBOY Island hosted by Nikki Glaser. Aside from 61st Street, the Chicago-set legal drama starring Courtney B. Vance that AMC canceled after one season; and FBoy Island, which was axed by HBO Max, the acquired series are all from Canada.

Sunday night will feature a roster of documentary films under the umbrella title I Am Films.

The only returning series on The CW are drama All American, and the non-scripted Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Masters of Illusion and World’s Funniest Animals. Slated for midseason is drama Walker and reality dating series FGirl Island.

The network has yet to decide the fates of three shows — All American spinoff All American: Homecoming and DC Comics dramas Gotham Knights and Superman & Lois.

“This fall, The CW embarks on the first step to become bigger and broader by offering our viewers a wide variety of programming from premium adult dramas to bold comedies and binge-worthy unscripted franchises,” said Brad Schwartz, The CW’s entertainment president, in a statement. “The new CW is now a broadcast network built for a broadcast audience.”

Monday on The CW will feature the sole returning scripted drama, All American, into 61st Street. Tuesday will showcase the four scripted comedies, which without the benefit of anything already proven could be an uphill battle. Wednesday are the female-themed dramas Sullivan’s Crossing and The Spencer Sisters. Thursday is FBoy Island, with an encore telecast leading into an original. Friday and Saturday, featuring all non-scripted shows, are unchanged. And Sunday is a night of documentaries.

The bottom line: Since being officially taken over by Nexstar, the goal, no doubt, is the diversify The CW’s programming slate in the most cost effective manner. The traditional audience has been deteriorating for years, after all. So, what is there to really lose? But you can’t necessarily consider these Canadian acquisitions new programs. And when there is a shift this dramatic there is always some risk. Minus the glut of superhero-themed dramas, expect the audience skew of The CW to age considerably.

Here is The CW’s primetime schedule for 2023-24. The acquired shows are in bold.

Monday

8:00 p.m. All American

9:00 p.m. 61st Street

Tuesday

8:00 p.m. Son of a Crutch

8:30 p.m. Run the Burbs

9:00 p.m. Children Ruin Everything

9:30 p.m. Everyone Else Burns

Wednesday

8:00 p.m. Sullivan’s Crossing

9:00 p.m. The Spencer Sisters

Thursday

8:00 p.m. Fboy Island (repeats)

9:00 p.m. Fboy Island

Friday

8:00 p.m. Penn & Teller Fool Us

9:00 p.m. Whose Line Is It Anyway? (original and repeat)

Saturday

8:00 p.m. Masters if Illusion (original and repeat)

9:00 p.m. World’s Funniest Animals (original and repeat)

Sunday

8:00 p.m. I Am Films