UPN, WB to combine, forming CW network

NEW YORK – In the 11 years that WB and UPN have both struggled for life, it wasn’t hard to see that between them they probably had enough assets to make one strong television network.

The business leaders in charge of them have finally concluded the same thing.

They announced Tuesday they’ll shutter WB and UPN and this fall start a new network, CW, that will combine the assets of both. It’s a 50-50 venture between the CBS Corp., which owns UPN, and Warner Bros. Entertainment.

The new network’s name is a combination of their corporate ownership: “C” for CBS and “W” for Warner Bros.

With varying degrees of success, both networks have courted the same young audience. The new CW will similarly target an audience aged 18 to 34, said Leslie Moonves, CBS president.

Shows such as “America’s Next Top Model,” “Smallville,” “Everybody Hates Chris” and “Gilmore Girls” are likely to have the same address.

The CW will air 30 hours of programming across seven days a week, following the model of The WB. Six nights of prime time shows will air Monday through Friday from 8 to 10 p.m. and Sundays from 7 to 10 p.m. There will also be shows on weekday and Sunday afternoons, and five hours of children’s programs now known as the “Kids’ WB” on Saturday morning.