More Answers to Questions About the New CW Network

This info from Cynthia Turner's Cynopsis. Notice the bold part:

> Programming: A sudden slew of new independents all looking to fill their primetime schedules ... with what? Movie packages suddenly become a premium, first or second airings of daytime talk programs, sitcoms. These stations have a very short time to prepare and a lot of time to fill.

> The WB 100+ Station Group: What happens to this entire entity? Does it fall by the wayside as over-the-air affiliates take the new CW affiliation? Speculation suggests yes.

> Current Network Affiliations: How will CBS/Warner Bros. choose between the current WB and UPN affiliates in markets where there is no Tribune or CBS owned station? By overall ratings strength, as well as by depth and significance of current programming contracts? And how soon will these notifications be made so that programming to fill the void in September can be purchased?

> Syndication: Certainly, this will be a true boon for the syndication business with a flock of new Indies on the horizon. And a return for fuller and more significant movie packages, as well as the weekly barter action hours. A couple of likelihoods - more off-net syndication coming from cable to broadcast; and fast-tracking some off-net 60m series into syndication. And potential for international hours returning to the US for primetime weekly airings, tho residual money may suggest that is a foolhardy idea.

> Financial Impact: There will likely be several markets where a station will lose its affiliation, thereby greatly diminishing the station's value. These are often stations that have also taken out bank loans to upgrade to digital, and will still have to pay those loans. The prediction from NATPE attendees is many of these stations will go dark and/or sell at drastically reduced rates.

> The Upside: Tribune no longer is committed by 22% to the WB Network, and footing 1/5 of the financial loses - and owns none of the new network. Additionally, though it will continue to pay reverse compensation to the network, the likelihood is it won't be as steep. At the end of the day, it gets network affiliates that are potentially stronger than either WB or UPN individually, have all the best in programming both have to offer, including says Dennis Fitzsimmons America's Next Top Model, Everybody Hates Chris, Gilmore Girls, Girlfriends and Veronica Mars.