The CW chooses "The Chosen" as a centerpiece of its schedule + My thoughts on the broadcast network's new strategy

Here’s the latest from the crossroads of faith, media & culture: 06/14/23

The CW Network will be the U.S. broadcast home to the first three seasons of the worldwide hit series The Chosen. The announcement was made last Friday by CW Entertainment President Brad Schwartz. The acclaimed show takes an innovative episodic approach to depicting the life of Jesus Christ (played by Jonathan Roumie) through the eyes of His followers. The series, originally developed through crowdfunding by Angel Studios, is set to arrive on the network on Sunday, July 16 at 8:00pm ET depicting and will continue through the fall with the Season 3 finale airing on Christmas Eve.

Regarding the surprise pickup, Schwartz says “This show has already connected deeply with viewers around the world and The CW will expand its audience even further.” Describing the deal as “perfect for us,” The Chosen creator and producer Dallas Jenkins adds “Brad Schwartz made it clear a while ago he loves and respects The Chosen, so we know it’ll be in great hands.”

Jim Packer, who runs worldwide television distribution for Lionsgate (which negotiated the deal), declares “This groundbreaking series already has a massive global following and The CW platform will provide the perfect opportunity for the show to reach existing fans and inspire new ones.”

The Chosen has grown from a crowdsourcing project on the Angel Studios app into a massive global phenomenon with over 110 million viewers in 175 countries around the world and plans to make it available in 600 languages. The show continues to grow in popularity, generating 6.5 million followers across social media and $35 million at box office in special event theatrical releases. It has also generated apparel, bestselling books, DVDs and an upcoming series of graphic novels. An eight-episode fourth season of the series is currently in production (with seven seasons planned). It would seem likely that those episodes could eventually make their way to The CW as well.

The CW Network reaches 100% of US television households delivering 14 hours of primetime programming per week in addition to sports and other entertainment programming. Nexstar Media Group recently bought a controlling 75% in the network with previous owners Paramount Global (CBS) and Warner Brothers Discovery splitting the remaining shares. The purchase has led to a major change of focus for the channel away from superheroes and other youth-oriented dramas toward connecting with a broader mainstream audience (which now clearly includes people of faith) through less-expensive and largely acquired offerings.
IMHO/The Bottom Line: A brilliant move by Schwartz.

Here’s a look at the other new shows on The CW’s almost entirely new fall schedule (which has been slightly altered since the announcement to accommodate the pickup of The Chosen) along with my thoughts on them followed by some ideas about where I think the network could go.

61st Street (Monday, 9:00 PM)

IMHO: This AMC castoff is gritty but doesn’t seem particularly new.
The Bottom Line: Could go either way.

Son of a Critch (Tuesday, 8:00 PM ET)

IMHO: From the executive producer of Schitt’s Creek (who seems to specialize in titles that almost curse). Despite the surprising presence of Malcolm McDowell, the Canadian-produced show looks like a low-rent version of ABC’s soon-to-depart The Goldbergs which itself was an inferior version of both The Wonders Years and CBS‘ excellent Young Sheldon.
The Bottom Line: Not a great way to kick off an all-new comedy lineup.

Run the Burbs (Tuesday, 8:30 PM ET)

IMHO: This Canadian comedy follows the Phams, a Vietnamese-South Asian family living life to the fullest in the suburbs (or the “Burbs” per the clunky title) has some potential and should probably have Tuesday’s lead-off position. Suggested title change: We Are Phamily.
The Bottom Line: Has promise but is unlikely to single-handedly prop up the Tuesday schedule.

Children Ruin Everything(Tuesday, 9:00 PM ET)

IMHO: Another imported Canadian comedy that would fit right in with all those mostly annoying ABC single-cam sitcoms that have helped drag down that network over the past several seasons. It seems to strive for some heart (perhaps unfurling a show that will ironically play against its title) and could grow into something decent but the trailer is meh.
The Bottom Line: Unlikely to succeed.

Everyone Else Burns (Tuesday, 9:30 PM ET)

IMHO: A sort of religious version of The Addams Family (the parents even look a little like Gomez and Morticia), this British sitcom about growing up in a household where everyone believes that the Apocalypse is nigh (and almost everyone is doomed to you know where) could, I suppose, stumble into some sort of humorous-but-true narrative about the negative psychological impact of pushing doomsday scenarios upon impressionable young minds (you know, sorta like were doing to kids across our culture re: Climate Change) and the eventual discovery of the power of positive, optimistic, forgiving and empowering faith. That could be the path this show takes – but I doubt it.
The Bottom Line: It would be terrific if the show surprises me.

Sullivan’s Crossing (Wednesday, 8:00 PM)

IMHO: This Canadian drama has shades of the old underrated NBC drama Providence – which isn’t a bad thing.
The Bottom Line: Has hit potential.

The Spencer Sisters (Wednesday, 9:00 PM ET)

IMHO: Another Canadian import, this strikes me as sort of Murder, She Wrote meets So Help Me Todd (with a daughter instead of a son).
The Bottom Line: Another potential winner.

FBoy Island/FGirl Island (Wednesday, 9:00 PM ET)

IMHO: A pickup from HBO Max, FBoy Island is pretty much a textbook definition of what’s wrong with current TV. A gender-swapped edition is likely to air in the same time slot at midseason. Yawn.
The Bottom Line: Come on CW. You can do better.

I Am (Sunday, 8:oo PM)

IMHO: It appears the two-hour docuseries will have its debut postponed by The Chosen pickup. It does look promising though.
The Bottom Line: Maybe they could give it the FBoy time slot.

The Great American Bakeover (Midseason, Time Slot: TBD)
Concept: Reality show in which baker Nancy Birtwhistle travels America giving much needed help to struggling bakeries.
IMHO: Sounds like a light pastry of a show. I’m in for a taste.
The Bottom Line: Has the ingredients of a low-key hit.

The Librarians: The Next Chapter (Midseason, Time Slot: TBD)
Concept: A sequel to the original fantasy series about the protectors of a magical repository of supernatural relics that ran for four seasons on TBS.
IMHO: I didn’t watch the original show but this looks like the kind of escapist fare people may be looking for more of these days.
The Bottom Line: Another potential hit for the network.

The Network Bottom Line: While I’m not sold on every single show on its overhauled schedule (a couple of the offerings look terrible), there are a higher-than-average number of promising new offerings. I’m impressed that the new leadership appears open to concepts and program providers from outside Hollywood’s bubble.

As I’ve done for CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC, here are…

Three Free Suggestions for The CW
1. To mark the broadcaster’s fresh start how about rechristening the whole operation as The Nexstar Network (or even The CW: A Nexstar Network).
2. While you’re at it, change the name of Nexstar’s NewsNation startup to the Nexstar News Channel (which is catchier and doesn’t sound so much like Fox Nation). Building on that, lead into your prime-time lineup with a Nexstar News Hour evening newscast. As an aside, if (as speculated) Warner Bros. Discovery puts the collapsing CNN on the block, it might (if affordable) make for a good addition to the Nexstar portfolio. CNN – formerly known as “the most trusted name in news” – is a totally broken brand but it’s easy to find on the cable dial. Replace CNN with Nexstar: The Cable News Network.
3. While I get the need to start off with relatively inexpensive acquired programming on the new CW, remain open to good homegrown properties. For instance, I noticed that one of the shows in development under the old CW leadership was Jake Chang (from The Good Doctor producer Daniel Dae Kim) about a 16-year-old self-made private detective growing up in Chinatown. That idea actually strikes me as pretty awesome. I say pick it up!

You’re welcome CW! And good luck!

Encourage one another and build each other up – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

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