With many series still facing pandemic-related production shutdowns, The CW has revealed that it will be delaying all-new programs to 2021, with the exception of the final episodes of the long-running series Supernatural, which is set to air Fall 2020, according to Variety.
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Without any new programming set to debut this fall, the network is looking to instead air a roster of recently acquired shows and unscripted series, with Masters of Illusion, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Penn & Teller: Fool Us and World’s Funniest Animals already set to premiere and now being joined by Swamp Thing, Tell Me a Story, Coroner and Dead Pixels, all of which was acquired earlier this week.
The planned schedule for new programs this January includes the premieres of the Walker, Texas Ranger reboot starring Supernatural vet Jared Padalecki, simply titled Walker, which is set to take over the time slot of the long-running paranormal series, as well as Superman & Lois, which is set to take over the concluded Arrow time slot on Tuesdays after The Flash, which All American and Black Lightning remain in their Monday slots, Riverdale and Nancy Drew staying on Wednesday and Charmed moving to Sunday to take over Supergirl.
Most of the slate of DC adaptations are also currently set to return in January, except for Supergirl and Legends of Tomorrow, which are set for midseason premieres along with Dynasty, In the Dark and Roswell, New Mexico and new series The Republic of Sarah and Kung Fu. No word has currently been given on the Lucy Hale-starring Riverdale spin-off Katy Keene, though sources report that the network is still eyeing a possible renewal for the musical dramedy.
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“This year, The CW has made the proactive strategic decision to launch its new season in January 2021, rolling out a line-up of our signature returning series which will be joined next year by our four new series, including the return of the DC’s most iconic superhero in Superman & Lois, the return of the Texas Rangers in Walker, the reimagined Kung Fu and the rebellious drama The Republic of Sarah,” Mark Pedowitz, chairman and CEO of The CW, said in a statement. “And by moving our new season to January, we are stocking our fall with a balance of original and acquired scripted series and alternative programming that fits The CW brand and provides fresh programming through the fourth quarter. In 2021, The CW will have more original scripted programming throughout the year, week in and week out, than we have ever had, fueling our multiplatform ecosystem, which combines linear TV, our best in class AVOD services and unparalleled reach on social media. Additionally, next year, The CW will have full stacking rights to eight series to stream on our free, ad-supported digital platforms.”
Regarding Supernatural and Walker, Pedowitz added: “Jared and Jensen [Ackles] will go back to finish the last two [episodes] and then Jared will go off to work on Walker. We hope they will start shooting [Supernatural] late summer early fall. If not, we’ll be flexible in our schedule. We all want to end the 15 years the right way. It’s important that these two episodes will be done the way they hope to do them. If not, we’ll wait it out.”
Fall 2020 Schedule
MONDAY
8:00-8:30PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
8:30-9:00PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
9:00-10:00PM PENN & TELLER: FOOL US
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00PM SWAMP THING
9:00-10:00PM TELL ME A STORY
WEDNESDAY
8:00-8:30PM TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES
8:30-9:00PM DEAD PIXELS
9:00-10:00PM CORONER
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00PM SUPERNATURAL
9:00-10:00PM THE OUTPOST
FRIDAY
8:00-8:30PM WORLD’S FUNNIEST ANIMALS
SUNDAY
8:00-8:30PM MASTERS OF ILLUSION
8:30-9:00PM MASTERS OF ILLUSION
9:00-10:00PM PANDORA
January 2021 Schedule
MONDAY
8:00-9:00PM ALL AMERICAN
9:00-10:00PM BLACK LIGHTNING
TUESDAY
8:00-9:00PM THE FLASH
9:00-10:00PM SUPERMAN & LOIS (New Series)
WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:00PM RIVERDALE
9:00-10:00PM NANCY DREW
THURSDAY
8:00-9:00PM WALKER (New Series)
9:00-10:00PM LEGACIES
FRIDAY
8:00-9:00PM PENN & TELLER: FOOL US (New Night)
9:00-9:30PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Night)
9:30-10:00PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Night)
SUNDAY
8:00-9:00PM BATWOMAN
9:00-10:00PM CHARMED (New Night)
