CW (almost) SOLD! Superman and Lois could undergo potentially dramatic reimagining
Better Call Saul could not be reached for comment
I really do wonder what will happen to Superman and Lois now that the CW is being sold. Supergirl is no more. The upcoming Flash movie is besot with production and post-production scandals. Every episode of Superman and Lois increasingly illustrates that as far as this show is concerned, S&L is on an alternate earth where none of those other superheroes exist.
I fear this dramatic reimagining may not be a product of disrupted production schedules.
Given we’ve now gone two seasons with barely a mention of anything outside of this show’s self-contained universe, these dramatic changes may be here for good.
THE HEAVY PRICE OF FLIGHTS IN TIGHTS
It seems, unfortunately, the money just isn’t there to justify co-productions like this. According to TVInsider and THR, the money has never been there.
The main reason we saw so many shows, such lavish productions, CGI on the scale of feature films…(!) was because the shows didn’t need to make money on first run.
Indeed, The CW has never been profitable, according to THR, but much of the network’s revenue has come from selling its scripted originals to streaming services and international networks. With ViacomCBS and WarnerMedia channeling their new content to their own streaming platforms these days, both of those revenue streams are drying up.
Writing for Slashfilm, Ryan Scott notes that while streaming distribution for the various CW shows is getting more complicated and harder to turn profitable, selling the network could empower whoever takes over the properties to implement show-specific strategies for audience-dependent IPs.
So far, it appears Nexstar is in the lead to acquire the CW’s powers.
RYAN SCOTT: It doesn’t take a lot of brilliant business math to determine that if an enterprise has been going for 16 years and hasn’t ever turned a profit, getting out of that particular enterprise makes sense. But that begs the question, why would it make sense for someone else, like Nexstar for example?
THE DEADLINE
Indeed, with the spring season of television fast approaching, the associated parties need Nexstar to prepare an acquisition agreement by May. That’s when the CW is scheduled to present advertising offerings — you know, so they can afford to keep the lights on. Streaming is a big part of the CW’s revenue, but advertising remains the custard that fills out the pie.
Writing for Variety, Cynthia Littleton and Jennifer Maas reported:
Cynthia Littleton, Jennifer Maas: The CW Network would also like to see a planned transaction for Nexstar’s majority stake in The CW to be announced before the broadcast network makes its upfront presentation to advertisers this spring. That in-person event is scheduled to take place May 19 at the New York City Center Theater in midtown Manhattan.
Does HBOMax offer the max? Er…the most?
Which just leaves me speculating what might happen in the end. While a lot of the other CW properties might find new — even better — homes with undiscovered families, HBOMax currently rules the kingdom of comic book IP. They are the “DC Hub,” hosting almost every live-action and animated DC movie/tv show you might want.
Yes, they are missing the live-action Superboy show from the 90s that I still suspect was secretly directed by David Lynch. But if you follow the below link, you’ll find out how you can watch them for free and decide for yourself.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So in the absence of a definite sale and definite answers,I’m left with speculation bordering on fan fiction.
Will HBOMax take over production for Superman and Lois?
Will they please take over production of the Flash, too???
And if they need some promotional art for the new show…can I assume my check is in the mail?
THE END
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