Following Nexstar’s acquisition of The CW, the new CEO is uncertain about DC TV’s future on the network, which has already gone through various adjustments. The Arrowverse line of superhero series on DC and The CW isn’t what it once was. After The CW’s big slew of cancellations, the number of programs directly related to the Arrowverse that remained standing dropped to two.
In their heyday, these shows, which included Arrow, Flash, Supergirl, and Legends of tomorrow, told individual stories that regularly crossed paths via actors appearing on other shows.
Also Read: Although Arrowverse Has Been Running For 10 Years And Attracting Dozens Of Young Fans, The CW’s Average Viewer Age Still Remains A Whopping 58
Nexstar Might Cancel All CW Arrowverse Shows
The CW’s new president is concerned about the future of the Arrowverse as DC TV undergoes network changes. The CW’s Arrowverse franchise, which has been in business since 2012, when executive producer Greg Berlanti was created Arrow on the WarnerMedia and Paramount-owned network, had perhaps its worst year yet.
Nexstar Media Group has completed the purchase of The CW Network from Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery, more than nine months after the agreement was first discussed.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, but insiders say Nexstar was not prepared to pay cash for the acquisition, instead accepting much of the more than $100 million loss from the Paramount’s CW network and Warner Bros. Discovery. “It’s no secret that The CW loses money, but that’s not common for fully distributed broadcast or cable networks.”
Related: ‘We Knew This Might Be The Final Season’: Stargirl Bites The Dust Despite Being A Top-Rated CW Show, Geoff Johns Reveals The Show Won’t End not with Cliffhanger
The CW started off with many wonderful shows, but eventually the network shut down due to the high-profile Arrowverse crossover event, Crisis on Infinite Earths, and when production resumed on these shows, their ability to create true crossovers was significantly reduced. To make matters worse, the recent merger of Warner Bros. and Discovery seems to be eliminating a lot of DC material that isn’t deemed profitable enough, because batman and Legends of tomorrow have been cancelled.
Brad Schwartz speaks out on Arrowverse
Brad Schwartz, the new entertainment president of The CW, explains what the network plans to do with the channel in the future. When asked if Arrowverse/DC TV ownership is part of their future strategy, Schwartz provided a disturbing answer. Schwartz simply states, “I’m not sure yet.”
Schwartz’s response comes just days after The CW revealed that star girl season 4 would not happen, implying that the series will end with the next season 3 finale in December. the flash will be the last series based on Earth-Prime, with Superman and Lois taking place on a different Earth in the Arrowverse, which means the franchise will essentially live on through drama led by Clark Kent and Lois Lane.
In general, Warner Bros. Discovery signals a new direction for the DC brand in film and television through James Gunn and Peter Safran, who lead DC Studios and have responsibility for both divisions. With more focus on the DCU, there’s no indication that the Arrowverse or The CW side of the TV brand will be included in those plans, implying the likely end of the franchise on the network.
Also Read: ‘Stay Away From DC, You’re Doing Fabulous Shit’: Fans Urge The CW To Stay Away From DC Heroes After The Arrowverse’s Eventual End
The Arrowverse has been around for a decade, and the golden age of network superhero shows has passed, just as the golden age of streaming superhero shows has begun. The Arrowverse has accomplished incredible feats and done things never before attempted. But it couldn’t survive forever, and now it’s time for the next innovative concept to take its place.
Source: ScreenRant
