The WB and UPN to close, The CW to rise in its place

Warner Brothers and CBS Corp. announced plans Tuesday for the creation of a new broadcast television network, called CW, that would replace the WB and UPN networks in the fall of this year.

The new broadcast network will draw on programming from both WB and UPN, and will be a joint venture between Warner Bros. and CBS (Research), with each company owning 50 percent, officials of both companies.

WB’s ‘Gilmore Girls’ will be one of the shows on the new CW network, officials said.

“This new network will serve the public with high-quality programming and maintain our ongoing commitment to our diverse audience,” said Les Moonves, the chairman of CBS, in a statement.

Prime time programming will target the profitable 18-34 age group, officials of Warner and CBS said.

The new network will broadcast such UPN shows as “America’s Next Top Model,” “Veronica Mars” and “Everybody Hates Chris,” as well as WB programs “Beauty and the Geek,” “Smallville” and “Gilmore Girls.