The CW Television Network is a successor and rebrand of both the previous two operations of the network: The WB and UPN, both of which launched within one week of each other in 1995.[1]
She moved back to Paramount as they were about to launch the United Paramount Network, also known as the UPN—which later merged with The WB.[2] Salhany was chief executive officer of UPN from 1995 to 1997.[3]
Beginning in 2006 after the merger of UPN and The WB, Ostroff was president of entertainment for The CW Ostroff was in charge of programming, digital initiatives, branding, marketing, research and sales. As president, she developed several TV series, including Gossip Girl and The Vampire Diaries.[4][8]
Mark Pedowitz (2011-2022)
Mark Pedowitz replaced Dawn Ostroff in 2011, who had been the Head of Entertainment since the network's inception in 2006. Pedowitz oversaw all aspects of The CW, including programming, sales, marketing, distribution, finance, research and publicity.
During his tenure, Pedowitz focused on trying to broaden the audience for The CW, increased the diversity at the network, launched the Arrowverse, developed several franchised other TV series including The 100, Riverdale and its spinoff Katy Keene, debuted reboots of Charmed, Dynasty, Roswell, and The Originals and spin-off Legacies, both part of The Vampire Diaries Universe, and also developed shows like All American and All American: Homecoming, Nancy Drew, and award-winning shows like Jane The Virgin and Crazy Ex Girlfriend. Under his tenure, and made the shows of the network available through The CW app. He also increased the amount of original programming, with the network airing shows on Sunday and Saturday, as well as during the summer.[9][10] Producer Greg Berlanti credited him with giving many shows that were not successful initially a chance in contrast to other networks[11][12][13]
The CW also during his tenure ended the 2014–15 season posting its highest average total viewership in a single television season since 2007–08 with 2.15 million viewers, a 12 percent increase in total viewership year-to-year; The CW also posted its highest seasonal demographic ratings among males ages 18–49 with a 0.8 share.[14]
He eventually became the longest-tenured head for a broadcast network and was promoted to the position of chairman and chief executive officer in January 2020,[15] before leaving The CW in 2022, amidst the acquisition of the channel by Nexstar Media Group and was replaced by Dennis Miller as President, and Brad Schwartz as President of Entertainment.
