Network Scorecard: Scoring the networks based on their history of airing and supporting sci fi and fantasy television shows.
Network Overview
The CW is the youngest of the broadcast networks, having come into existence in 2006 when UPN and The WB merged. Both of those broadcasters already had a history of airing sci fi and fantasy shows (Star Trek: Voyager and Star Trek: Enterprise on the former, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Angel on the latter), and that carried over to the new network. Both Smallville and Supernatural started on The WB and continued for long runs on The CW. The network tried some other genre entries during its first five years (Nikita, Vampire Diaries) before it had a breakout hit with Arrow in the 2012-13 season. After that, the network began to shift heavily towards genre programming as it built up the Arrow-verse while also adding other sci fi and supernatural entries to its schedule. And unlike the other broadcast nets, The CW had been expanding its scripted programming, adding additional nights during the week and keeping a pretty full slate of scripted programming year-round with acquisitions. Nextar Media Group has bought a majority share of the ownership, though, so things will be changing. CBS/Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery previously had joint ownership, but the new company will now be calling the shots, so expect a new direction once the sale is complete.
What Type of Sci Fi Shows Does the Network Air?
The CW was definitely a very genre-friendly network and you pretty much know what you were getting from its shows. For the past decade or so, it was usually Arrow-verse entries based on DC Comics characters or young adult dramas with either sci fi elements (The 100) or supernatural themes (Legacies). There were also a few non-genre entries sprinkled across the schedule, but those were the minority. And while sci fi/fantasy did get the focus on the network, they did not necessarily count as top-notch genre entries. The shows typically have had a lower budget and higher cheese factor than what we see from the Big Four broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC) and/or the streaming services, as well as lots of teen angst from the YA entries. Even the more respected Arrow-verse shows have had plenty of padding throughout their seasons, and often tend to repeat storylines and recycle large sections of dialogue. But all developed notable followings and managed to produce their fair share of enjoyable episodes. It is unclear what direction the network will take with new owners calling the shots, but many long-time fan-favorite shows were purged from the lineup heading into the 2022-23 season (see below).
How Quick is the Network to Cancel Sci Fi Shows?
The CW was a great network for a new show in the past because not only did a freshman entry have a good chance of surviving past its first season, the odds are also in its favor to stick around for at least four years. Going back to the 2011-12 season and excluding the 2021-22 season, only 32% of first-year regular season shows were cancelled and only 28% of those were sci fi/fantasy (notably lower than the Big Four broadcast networks ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC). And 49% of new shows made it to a fourth season or more with 52% of those counting as genre entries (a much, much higher percentage than the other networks). That all changed this past season, though. Three of the network’s four new shows for 2021-22 were cancelled and all three were genre entries (Tom Swift, Naomi, and 4400). In addition, four veteran sci fi/fantasy shows got the ax (Legends of Tomorrow, Batwoman, Legacies, and Charmed) to clear the schedule as much as possible for the new owners. It does not skew the ten-year summary below by too much, but that will start to change as I expect The CW to start acting more like the Big Four broadcasters going forward.
CW New Scripted Programming 2012-13 Season thru 2021-22 Season
| All Scripted Shows | ||
| Series Count | 45 | |
| Cancelled after 1 Season | 14 | 31.1% |
| Cancelled after 2 Seasons | 2 | 4.4% |
| Cancelled after 3 Seasons | 1 | 2.2% |
| 4 Seasons or More | 21 | 46.7% |
| Sci Fi/Fantasy | ||
| Series Count | 30 | |
| Cancelled after 1 Season | 9 | 30.0% |
| Cancelled after 2 Seasons | 1 | 3.3% |
| Cancelled after 3 Seasons | 1 | 3.3% |
| 4 Seasons or More | 15 | 50.0% |
Network Score
For last year’s scorecard, I gave The CW a score of 4 on a scale of 1 to 5 (5 being the highest). This year I am docking them one and a half stars and dropping them to a rating of 2 ½ out of 5. That is driven by the high number of cancellations of fan-favorite shows from the current season as well as serious doubt over the chances of the network supporting sci fi/fantasy shows going forward. Once Nextar Media is in control, they tend to lean to the conservative side and I would expect them to start cranking out procedurals and sitcoms and reality shows just like the other broadcast nets. And while the quality of The CW’s genre shows has not always been the greatest, with the heavy focus on sophomoric tales that appeal to the young adult demo and plenty of copy-and-paste dialogue, at least the network was willing to take chances and it supported its shows. We will have to see how things go once the new regime is in place after the sale, but I expect The CW to lean more towards the old-school broadcast network model in the coming years (which is not a good template to follow in the 21st century).
Sci Fi/Fantasy Shows that Debuted in the 2010-11 Season and After
This is a list of the sci fi and fantasy shows that have debuted on The CW since the 2010-11 season sorted by how many seasons they lasted. For shows that have been officially renewed like Superman & Lois and The Flash, the upcoming season is included.
| Series | Start | Seasons | Cancelled/Ended |
| The Flash | 2014-15 | 9 | N |
| Arrow | 2012-13 | 8 | Y |
| Legends of Tomorrow | 2015-16 | 7 | Y |
| Riverdale | 2016-17 | 7 | N |
| The 100 | 2013-14 | 7 | Y |
| iZombie | 2014-15 | 5 | Y |
| Supergirl | 2016-17 | 5 | Y |
| The Originals | 2013-14 | 5 | Y |
| Beauty & the Beast | 2012-13 | 4 | Y |
| Black Lightning | 2017-18 | 4 | Y |
| Charmed | 2018-19 | 4 | Y |
| Legacies | 2018-19 | 4 | Y |
| Nancy Drew | 2019-20 | 4 | N |
| Nikita | 2010-11 | 4 | Y |
| Roswell, New Mexico | 2018-19 | 4 | Y |
| The Outpost | 2018-19 | 4 | Y |
| Batwoman | 2019-20 | 3 | Y |
| Kung Fu | 2020-21 | 3 | N |
| Stargirl | 2019-20 | 3 | N |
| Superman & Lois | 2020-21 | 3 | N |
| Two Sentence Horror Stories | 2019-20 | 3 | N |
| Pandora | 2019-20 | 2 | Y |
| 4400 | 2021-22 | 1 | Y |
| Containment | 2015-16 | 1 | Y |
| Cult | 2012-13 | 1 | Y |
| Frequency | 2016-17 | 1 | Y |
| Naomi | 2021-22 | 1 | Y |
| Star-Crossed | 2013-14 | 1 | Y |
| The Messengers | 2014-15 | 1 | Y |
| The Secret Circle | 2011-12 | 1 | Y |
| The Tomorrow People | 2013-14 | 1 | Y |
| Tom Swift | 2021-22 | 1 | Y |
CancelledSciFi.com: Keep up with the status updates of all the currently airing sci fi and fantasy shows with our Cancellation Watch posts. And be sure to follow the Cancelled Sci Fi Twitter Site for breaking news and updates.
SciFiTVSite.com: Follow our Sci Fi TV Schedule for all the currently airing and upcoming sci fi and fantasy television shows, and keep up with what is airing/streaming each week with our Weekly Listings.
