The CW Boss Responds to Shock Over Cancellations, Explains Reasoning
The CW is gearing up for some big change as a bulk of its slate was canceled much to fans’ shock and network boss Mark Pedowitz is giving context for the reasoning behind the surprising move.
Among some of the casualties of the cancellation roundup include Arrowverse favorites Batwoman and DC’s Legends of Tomorrow as well as Charmed, Dynasty, 4400, In the Dark, Legacies, Naomi, and Roswell, New Mexico. And it was officially announced Thursday that Riverdale would come to an end after its upcoming seventh season.
While Riverdale will have time to plot out its closing episode, some of the other favorites that met their abrupt ends with the mass series axing didn’t quite have that chance, but Pedowitz shared that it wasn’t the network’s intention to leave fans high and dry.
(Credit: Bettina Strauss/The CW)
“I realize the pattern is different from what we’ve done in years past, so I can see why this came as a bit of shock to you and to the fans,” Pedowitz told reporters during an executive call according to TV Line. “Look, none of these were easy decisions. We had long conversations with our studios and parent companies, and everyone recognized that this was a time of transition for The CW. So, unfortunately, some difficult financial and strategic decisions needed to be made at every level.”
Pedowitz went on to make it clear that cancellations had nothing to do with the level of content but instead with a desire to go in a different direction. “We are very proud of the stories we told, the producers and writers who created those shows, and all the talent that we’re fortunate to have had on this network,” he said. “I have always been a bastion of giving a long-running series a proper ending, so our creatives can finish telling the story on their own terms, and the fans who have invested all of this time are hopefully satisfied. We also tried to do that this year.”
According to Pedowitz the network was aware of which series were considered “bubble shows” and teams were reportedly earned in the case that they would like to wrap up stories. “We did not know 100 percent what was going to happen, so we encouraged all of those producers to treat their finales as if they could be series finales,” Pedowitz clarified. “We wanted to do the right thing by the series and by the fans.”
Clearly, this supposed advice hasn’t been taken into consideration because some shows left viewers with unresolved stories. “Ultimately, the producers are stewards of their own creative visions; they are the storytellers,” Pedowitz said. “We, at The CW, always strive to be collaborative and provide guidance and direction. Unfortunately, sometimes there are fans that lose out by these decisions, and that, I emphasize, is never anyone’s intention.”
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There are only 3 shows I'm still going to watch -- Nancy Drew, Riverdale (which has one last season), and Superman and Louis. After this bloodletting, I'm not going to start a new CW show and have them rip the rug out again. Sorry, Tom Swift. Blame the network.
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I won't be watching the CW anymore you cancelled all my favorites so no matter what you put on, it's over Batwoman was one of my favorites so so long
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As the current ‘boss’ Pedowitz had to say something in the wake of the bloodbath of cancellations I guess. He didn’t say a lot that wasn’t already known except perhaps that the shows were encouraged to wrap up storylines, which many didn’t. His language did make it sound like the end of an era. We’ll find out what’s really going to happen with the network from Pedowitz’s successor / the new owners.
I’d have been curious to know why the CW-Netflix deal wasn’t renewed though I’m sure it was money. Either the CWs or Netflix position changed. Fans are the losers of course.
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I hate you CW
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They Suck Big Time!!! You Will Be Losing A Lot Of Views Right Along With Channel 2.
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I’m so tired of starting shows and not being able to actually finish the entire story and CW has been doing this for a long time I’m just gonna go right ahead and give up on you guys as a network all together. Because basically it’s a waste of my time and everybody else. To start a new show with you when we can’t even get a proper ending to the ones you out of the blue want it to just cancel.
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Well, my favorite show across ALL networks and cable was In the Dark... It was sometimes hard to watch, lol, but that's only because I was invested in the characters and the story. Amazing performances-- sometimes painful storylines-- but I would have watched as long as the writers could find a new place to take us. CW is losing some hard-earned cred dropping this one. Thanks to the cast, writers, crew and producers for 4 amazing yrs-- still hoping for more.
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Interesting, NOT one word of the possible sale of the network to someone else. THAT'S out there and he can't use the excuse of "I can't comment on any speculation." It's out there and WILL get around to other outlets, so DON'T be coy roy, about it, if it's true.
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This transition may help the CW financially but it is going to lose viewers as a consequence. The loyal viewers that the CW has now are because of its past history of programing and these recently canceled shows. Time will tell...
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