CW Boss Mark Pedowitz on Future of DC Shows at Network: ‘We’re Staying in the Superhero Business’

Joe Otterson TV ReporterParadigm Talent Agency has hired industry veteran Ian Kleinert as a book publishing agent, Variety has learned exclusively. In his new role, Kleinert will be based out of Paradigm’s New York office.“Joining Paradigm during this unique and exciting time at the company opens up a world of exciting new avenues across all media for the wonderful clients joining me at the agency, and provides me the chance to foster dynamic publishing opportunities for the stellar talents of Paradigm’s roster,” said Kleinert.Kleinert was most recently the CEO and founding partner of Projector Media, which focused on literary management and investor-backed digital platforms for groups like SALT Events, Make-a-Wish Foundation, Propagate Content, and sports legends Joe Namath and Cal Ripken Jr. “Ian’s extensive experience, unparalleled knowledge of the publishing industry and wide-ranging client relationships make him an incredible addition to our team,” said Paradigm managing partner Andrew Ruf.

Joe Otterson TV Reporter“That ’90s Show,” the spinoff of “That ’70s Show” at Netflix, is bringing back Tommy Chong as Leo.Chong made the announcement during an interview with The Dark Mark Show, saying “They gave me a call and I did my part…They never gave me any instructions, so I don’t know if I’m supposed to be talking about it or not. I really don’t give a s— to tell you the truth.

Riverdale will officially come to an end after season seven.The CW announced the show’s end on Thursday (May 19) during its 2022 fall schedule release, also stating that the seventh and final season will debut in 2023.Mark Pedowitz, The CW chairman and CEO, said (via Variety): “I’m a big believer in giving series that have long runs an appropriate sendoff. We want to make sure it goes out the right way.”He also said show creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa “was thrilled with this news”, adding: “They too felt seven years was the right amount.”Based on the characters from Archie Comics, Riverdale debuted in 2017 to a positive reception, boosted by its huge popularity on Netflix.

The lucky people in attendance at the 2022 CW Upfronts presentation were treated to a special surprise!

family is preparing to say their goodbyes — but not just yet. The CW announced on Thursday that their «iconic» teen drama, inspired by the Archie Comics series, will be taking its final bow after an upcoming seventh and final season.Mark Pedowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The CW Network, announced the network's fall schedule during Upfronts on Thursday, sharing that 'sfinal episodes will debut midseason on Tuesday nights. "[We will] be saying goodbye to an iconic CW series that shaped and defined popular culture," he said.ET spoke with series star KJ Apa on the red carpet following the announcement, where he shared his thoughts on the bittersweet preparation for 's final season.«I feel sad, you know, it's going to be really hard to say goodbye to Archie, to, to the sets, to our crew,» he noted. «We've created so many memories on this show, for both ourselves and for the fans, so it's going to be hard.»KJ Apa reflects on the end of #Riverdale at the #CWupfronts: «I feel good about it.» pic.twitter.com/7ne5pXSZQIHowever, Apa echoed past sentiments from co-stars Camila Mendes and Cole Sprouse about it perhaps being the ideal time for to wrap up their final storylines and say their goodbyes.«I think it's perfect — all great things have to come to an end,» he agreed. «I feel good about it.»The end of the series comes at a big time in Apa's personal life as well.

Having Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins on hand to each present their new series at the CW upfront, the network could resist getting the Supernatural trio back together on stage.

CW chief Mark Pedowitz tried to put some context around an upcoming ownership shift of the network. It’s not a typical corporate deal, he said, because the CW is an important brand, and a well entrenched one.

The CW opted to not renew almost a dozen scripted series ahead of the 2022-2023 season, and on Thursday morning, the network’s chairman and CEO, Mark Pedowitz, addressed why.Pedowitz preemptively answered the question about all the cancellations before any journalist on the call had time to ask.“Look, none of these  were easy decisions,” he told reporters. “We have long conversations about studios and parent companies, and everyone recognized that this was a time of transition for The CW.

As the CW often has done at its upfront presentations, the marque final slot that closed the event today was given to a signature series that is coming to an end.

Jennifer Maas TV Business Writer“Supernatural” alums Jared Padalecki, Jensen Ackles and Misha Collins made the crowd go wild at the CW network’s upfront presentation Thursday, when the trio walked out on stage together to “pitch” network boss Mark Pedowitz some reunion ideas.Padalecki was there repping “Walker” and upcoming prequel “Walker, Independence,” Ackles had come out for “Supernatural” prequel series “The Winchesters,” and Collins was present for “Gotham Knights” — but all they could think about was finding a way for the three of them to work together again.More to come…

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorThe CW closed out this week’s parade of upfront presentations on Thursday morning with an event that put the emphasis on the strength of the network’s brand as a filter of young adult-focused dramas.“Our digital strength speaks for itself,” CW chairman Mark Pedowitz declared from the stage at New York City Center. In a sign of the times, CW’s presentation included a tour of its new enhanced app.Pedowitz also made an oblique reference to the deal that is deep in negotiations for station group giant Nexstar to acquire a majority stake in the network that has been jointly owned by Warner Bros.

Riverdale is coming to an end. The CW announced on Thursday, May 19 that Riverdale season 7, which will air in a midseason slot, shall be its last.During an executive call on Thursday, CW Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz that Riverdale’s conclusion was agreed upon with show creator Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa, “who’s thrilled by this news.” Pedowitz ensured that “seven years is the right amount” for the series and promised to give it a proper send-off.

. The CW announced on Thursday that their «iconic» teen drama will be taking its final bow after an upcoming seventh and final season, wrapping up a spellbinding run that's seen the beloved Archie Comics characters face off against dangerous cults, obsessive families, the Gargoyle King and much, much more.

The CW brought some Superstition to the Upfronts with a surprise musical performance by R&B legend Stevie Wonder.

In its biggest contraction ever, the CW’s DC Universe lost three series heading into next season with the cancellation of veteran Legends of Tomorrow as well as Batwoman, currently in Season 3, and freshman Naomi. It now consists of veteran The Flash, Superman & Lois and new entry Gotham Knights — all for midseason — as well as Stargirl (shared with HBO Max), which is the sole DC representative on the fall schedule.

Back in February, after the CW had picked up its pilots for this year and Babylon 5 was not among them, creator J. Michael Straczynski took to social media to assure fans that the reboot was still alive.

Selome Hailu After revealing on Thursday that Season 7 would be the final installment of “Riverdale,” the CW’s chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz expressed confidence that the series was going out on a high note.The network announced the conclusion of the show along with the rest of its 2022 fall release schedule.CLICK HERE to follow Variety’s coverage of Upfronts 2022During the CW’s primetime scheduling and strategy press conference, while addressing the end of “Riverdale” and the cancellation of several series such as “Legends of Tomorrow,” “Dynasty” and “Naomi,” Pedowitz said, “We encouraged all of those producers to try to treat their finales as if they could be series finales. We wanted to do the right thing by the series and by the fans.” Pedowitz also indicated that “Riverdale” Season 7 would likely contain as many episodes as earlier seasons.“We have not declared how many episodes yet.