Exactly 15 years ago, one of the most ambitious television networks conceded. This is the story of The WB. Season Finale: archive.org/details/seasonfin...
One issue for both WB and UPN networks was the lack of full power TV stations throughout the country. In most smaller markets you had one but not the other. In 1995 UPN was available in Eugene Oregon but not WB. However a small station in Roseburg Oregon would rebroadcast the WB on a Eugene low power station from late 1995 to 1998. In 1998 the WB would go cable only in most small markets. There was much criticism that the WB was over the air in the top 50 markets and cable only everywhere else.
Imagine if digital TV existed back then. Either network would have been a good fit on a subchannel. Ironically the US switched to digital in 2009, only three years after the WB and UPN merged into the CW. And the CW is a subchannel in some places, including West Texas where I live where it falls under CBS. It's also interesting to note that as I write this, I'm watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (a WB staple) on Comet, which here is on a subchannel of Latino network Univision.
What memories of watching The Wayans Bros, Sister Sister, and Jamie Foxx plus the Kids WB Block on summer vacation days back in the 90s. Btw, you just earned yourself another sub.
Hi, just found your channel and loving the history of Television. After hearing your update, I know you have some issues right now. Take the time your need and I will be waiting for your return.
the first of you're videos I watched was the Domont 1, I initially thought "ok another clear cut history documentary on youtube those are always nice because there's so many different flairs to put on a history to make it you're own storey about the subject" but being a child of the 90s and seeing this video about the WB 2006 hit me like a demmoed brick building, I spent my childhood in front of the tube it's what use to bring the family together and now TV's become so tasteless and hallow sense 2006 I've been POd about the end of the WB it's like a broken leg never set or splinted, the pain set wrong till now thank you. it's like you re-broke it and set it right for me, yes this video was so clear cut and a lil dry but it did the WB justice it's like a tune you gotta hit the fork and let it ring a dry tune or else it sounds ugly with a C flat. beautiful history you did the WB and it's fans a great honor by telling it's story. darnit you got me crying a lil😥
I'm kinda shocked you barely mentioned Dawson's Creek which was almost if not as big as Buffy when it premiered and the spinoffs they attempted with that. Regardless, this is a very good presentation. Well done.
Actually, Fox became the fourth official network when the relinquished the TV rights for the NFL from CBS in 1993. It would force a major realignment in television.
UPN in DC was on WDCA 20, the WB was on then WBDC channel 50, when they merged, they moved to Channel 50 which changed their call letters to WDCW. WDCA was purchased by Fox and it's now knowns as 5Plus which has more of the programming of WTTG 5.
The problem was they would have a cycle of being watchable then unwatchable and it would continue for years and I still say the upn acquiring Buffy killed angel cause a lot of us Buffy watchers moved over to the upn and didn’t go back to the wb for angel and I think they moved it to a different night so we forgot about angel cause the lady season isn’t set up like it was going to be it’s last season the warp up feels rushed cause they got the cancellation notice late in the season also what I like about you feel like a gender swapped live action remake of the short lived animated series Mission Hill that did the concept better
So an animated sitcom from The WB did the same concept Dan Schneider (and Wil Calhoun) did in their sitcom on the same channel better? Ya think Dan copied Taina when he created Victorious, too? Not that I’ve heard of Taina, but Jayniac made a video comparing the two shows!
Kids WB was a huge part of my childhood with Jackie Chan Adventures, Xiaolin Showdown, Mucha Lucha, What’s New Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry Tales, Ozzy & Drix and call me a stupid kid but I enjoyed Loonatics Unleashed!
The turning point for The WB was losing Buffy to UPN. Sarah Michelle Gellar wasn't happy about Buffy leaving The WB for UPN. Had it not been for her contract, Sarah would have left the series. The WB was very loyal to Sarah.
Sarah Michelle Gellar wasn’t happy about Buffy the Vampire Slayer leaving The WB for another network but UPN did gift her with a diamond necklace as well as a Gucci leather jacket shortly after UPN paid the $2.3 million per episode for two more seasons and 44 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that 20th Century Fox Television wanted in April 2001. UPN also gave gift baskets to the other cast members of Buffy that included beluga caviar, Cristal champagne and Cartier watches. Buffy could have stayed on The WB for Seasons 6-7 but because 20th Century Fox Television wanted $2.3 million per episodes for two more seasons and 44 episodes and The WB’s only offer was $1.8 million that’s when 20th Century Fox began looking for other buyers. Some entertainment executives assumed FOX Broadcasting would pick up Buffy the Vampire Slayer from The WB which would have been good for ratings but bad for 20th Century Fox due to the fact that FOX Broadcasting and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation were owned by News Corp at the time.
I miss the WB network and it should come back one day. 😀👍
One issue for both WB and UPN networks was the lack of full power TV stations throughout the country. In most smaller markets you had one but not the other. In 1995 UPN was available in Eugene Oregon but not WB. However a small station in Roseburg Oregon would rebroadcast the WB on a Eugene low power station from late 1995 to 1998. In 1998 the WB would go cable only in most small markets. There was much criticism that the WB was over the air in the top 50 markets and cable only everywhere else.
Imagine if digital TV existed back then. Either network would have been a good fit on a subchannel.
Ironically the US switched to digital in 2009, only three years after the WB and UPN merged into the CW. And the CW is a subchannel in some places, including West Texas where I live where it falls under CBS. It's also interesting to note that as I write this, I'm watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer (a WB staple) on Comet, which here is on a subchannel of Latino network Univision.
Now a fifth and /or sixth Network can work just reboot My network TV as a legit network and reboot CW back either as UPN or the WB.
What memories of watching The Wayans Bros, Sister Sister, and Jamie Foxx plus the Kids WB Block on summer vacation days back in the 90s.
Btw, you just earned yourself another sub.
Hi, just found your channel and loving the history of Television. After hearing your update, I know you have some issues right now. Take the time your need and I will be waiting for your return.
The story of America's favorite network it's an example of decisions between survive together or dying apart
the first of you're videos I watched was the Domont 1, I initially thought "ok another clear cut history documentary on youtube those are always nice because there's so many different flairs to put on a history to make it you're own storey about the subject" but being a child of the 90s and seeing this video about the WB 2006 hit me like a demmoed brick building, I spent my childhood in front of the tube it's what use to bring the family together and now TV's become so tasteless and hallow sense 2006 I've been POd about the end of the WB it's like a broken leg never set or splinted, the pain set wrong till now thank you.
it's like you re-broke it and set it right for me, yes this video was so clear cut and a lil dry but it did the WB justice it's like a tune you gotta hit the fork and let it ring a dry tune or else it sounds ugly with a C flat.
beautiful history you did the WB and it's fans a great honor by telling it's story.
darnit you got me crying a lil😥
I'm kinda shocked you barely mentioned Dawson's Creek which was almost if not as big as Buffy when it premiered and the spinoffs they attempted with that.
Regardless, this is a very good presentation. Well done.
I am absolutely loving your channel! Keep up the great work!
I love WB & UPN.
Actually, Fox became the fourth official network when the relinquished the TV rights for the NFL from CBS in 1993. It would force a major realignment in television.
I love Smallville it was aired on Studio 23 in the Philippines now Sports And Action Including Buffy was aired on RPN 9 in 1997 now Studio 23 in 2002
UPN in DC was on WDCA 20, the WB was on then WBDC channel 50, when they merged, they moved to Channel 50 which changed their call letters to WDCW. WDCA was purchased by Fox and it's now knowns as 5Plus which has more of the programming of WTTG 5.
Had you heard of the show / sitcom called nick freno licensed teacher...
well made!
The problem was they would have a cycle of being watchable then unwatchable and it would continue for years and I still say the upn acquiring Buffy killed angel cause a lot of us Buffy watchers moved over to the upn and didn’t go back to the wb for angel and I think they moved it to a different night so we forgot about angel cause the lady season isn’t set up like it was going to be it’s last season the warp up feels rushed cause they got the cancellation notice late in the season also what I like about you feel like a gender swapped live action remake of the short lived animated series Mission Hill that did the concept better
So an animated sitcom from The WB did the same concept Dan Schneider (and Wil Calhoun) did in their sitcom on the same channel better? Ya think Dan copied Taina when he created Victorious, too? Not that I’ve heard of Taina, but Jayniac made a video comparing the two shows!
I Really miss The WB and UPN! My WB and UPN station affiliates were The WB 23 Minnesota and UPN 9 KMSP/UPN 29 WFTC!😭❤️📺🎶👍🏻
Kids WB was a huge part of my childhood with Jackie Chan Adventures, Xiaolin Showdown, Mucha Lucha, What’s New Scooby Doo, Tom & Jerry Tales, Ozzy & Drix and call me a stupid kid but I enjoyed Loonatics Unleashed!
Two years after this video was uploaded and Connor Higgins still hasn't posted his video documenting The WB.
It didn't happen overnight the Fox launch.
I have Noticed that sister sister is on Dabl
The turning point for The WB was losing Buffy to UPN. Sarah Michelle Gellar wasn't happy about Buffy leaving The WB for UPN. Had it not been for her contract, Sarah would have left the series. The WB was very loyal to Sarah.
Sarah Michelle Gellar wasn’t happy about Buffy the Vampire Slayer leaving The WB for another network but UPN did gift her with a diamond necklace as well as a Gucci leather jacket shortly after UPN paid the $2.3 million per episode for two more seasons and 44 episodes of Buffy the Vampire Slayer that 20th Century Fox Television wanted in April 2001. UPN also gave gift baskets to the other cast members of Buffy that included beluga caviar, Cristal champagne and Cartier watches. Buffy could have stayed on The WB for Seasons 6-7 but because 20th Century Fox Television wanted $2.3 million per episodes for two more seasons and 44 episodes and The WB’s only offer was $1.8 million that’s when 20th Century Fox began looking for other buyers. Some entertainment executives assumed FOX Broadcasting would pick up Buffy the Vampire Slayer from The WB which would have been good for ratings but bad for 20th Century Fox due to the fact that FOX Broadcasting and 20th Century Fox Film Corporation were owned by News Corp at the time.