Roberts call it exciting
By Alvin A. Reid of the American
Tuesday’s surprising announcement of the shutdown of UPN and WB Network and the launch of a new channel caught many of the television industry’s top executives by total surprise – including Michael and Steven Roberts, owners of Roberts Broadcasting and four UPN stations.
“I’m telling you, they kept this close to the vest,” Steve Roberts told the American on Tuesday from Los Angeles.
“This was certainly a surprise. The people that are buying and selling programs here, the major studios, no one had a clue.”
The merged UPN and WB networks will be called the CW Network, and it will be owned and operated by parent companies CBS Corp. and Warner Bros.
The CW Network “will feature the best programming from each network,” according to a press release announcing the merger.
UPN will cease to exist in September, but the change means that St. Louis’ UPN affiliate WRBU-TV will become the only locally owned and operated full-powered independent television station in St. Louis.
“This is great timing for us,” said Mike Roberts, Roberts Broadcasting CEO.
“Since we will no longer be under the constraints of a struggling network, this is a great time to take our prime time and provide programs never before seen in St. Louis.”
Steve Roberts said the merger and demise of UPN give the station “the opportunity to re-brand WRBU with new, fresh programming targeted to our core audience.
WRBU will announce its new programming lineup “in the very near future.”
At least 10 existing UPN and WB series — including UPN’s “Veronica Mars,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” “Girlfriends,” “America’s Next Top Model” and “Friday Night SmackDown!” and WB’s “Smallville,” “Gilmore Girls,” “Supernatural,” “Reba” and “Beauty and the Geek” — are expected to move to the CW.
Sources say that the UPN affiliates have no say in what shows will be lost to the new network.
Roberts Broadcasting recently signed a deal with 20th Television to “carry a new, exciting genre of television programming,” according to Mike Roberts.
This programming includes “Telenovelas,” a nighttime novel based program that should begin airing in June.
“We’re very optimistic what this is going to mean for our business,” 20th Century Fox TV President Dana Walden said.
“The stronger their distribution is, the better chance we have to develop long-lasting assets. From a business standpoint, it provides greater opportunities for our creators.”
Roberts Broadcasting owns stations in Columbia, S.C., Denver and Jackson, Miss., along with the St. Louis station.
“We have positioned (our) TV stations to acquire the best and most innovative programming available,” said Mike Roberts.
Steve Roberts said he looked forward to bidding UPN adieu because it only “served as a foundation for the launch of the station.
“Now (the channel’s) proven strength in the syndicated and locally produced programming niche will be expanded with new and innovative viewing experiences for our audience.”