The much anticipated CW midseason schedule was released today, roughly one month later than last season.  Looking at these changes I can tell why!  With two new promising shows to work into a schedule with zero cancellations so far (I’m talking official cancellations people), the netlet faced quite a task.  Without a doubt, these are some very telling moves.  Three of the network’s five nights will be going through some big changes.  

No contest, Mondays are by far the weakest night in The CW lineup, so that’s the night getting most of the dramatic changes.  Hart of Dixie, which many think will be a lock for a 4th season because of syndication possibilities and the fact that it does well online, will be moving to Fridays to make way for new show Star-Crossed.  That’s a good a sign as any that Hart of Dixie will be making it’s home on Fridays next season.  

However, it’s the 9pm slot that gets even more interesting!  Starting on March 17th, The Tomorrow People will be moving to that slot.  Beauty and The Beast, which has been a dramatic underperformer this season with live, DVR, and online ratings, will be going on “hiatus.”  That’s net speak for “summer burnoff.”  That does not sound good at all for the long term prospects of that show.  

As for The Tomorrow People, why the move?   Easy, because The 100 will be getting the post Arrow slot, starting March 19th.  I’ve seen the pilot for The 100 and it is a very promising and ambitious show.  It seems like a good fit with Arrow and with 13 committed episodes this season, that will take it’s run past May into the summer.  That helps the CW plan of offering more year round programming, especially if the show catches on and can become a stable part of the schedule next year.  

A move means that The Tomorrow People, which is considered to be a bubble show, is being given a chance to prove itself on another night.  Given how bad Beauty and The Beast’s ratings have been, improving the ratings in that slot should be easy.  However, how will it do without the very strong Arrow lead-in?  That I’m sure is what the network hopes to find out.  If The Tomorrow People can maintain on a different night, it’s prospects for season two will be greater than losing half of the demo and ratings behind Arrow.  

Fridays are getting a makeover too, and it all starts with the return of Whose Line Is It Anyway?  A show like this is perfect for 8 pm Friday, especially given how successful it was during The CW summer run.  It’s a brand that caters to older viewers, who are usually the ones watching on Friday night.  Pairing it with Hart of Dixie at 9pm is a much better combo given each show’s light nature.  Whose Line and Hart of Dixie start this new CW Friday on March 21st.

Tuesdays and Thursdays, easily The CW’s strongest nights, remained unchanged.  

Below is the CW press release and schedule:

THE CW NETWORK SETS MIDSEASON SCHEDULE AND 
 
NEW SERIES PREMIERE DATES
 
 
 
New Series STAR-CROSSED Premieres
 
Monday, February 17, at 8:00 PM
 
 
 
New Series THE 100 Premieres 
 
Wednesday, March 19, at 9:00 PM
 
 
 
Second Cycle of WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? Premieres 
 
Friday, March 21 with New Episodes at
 
8:00 and 8:30 PM
 
 
 
December 12, 2013 (Burbank, CA) – The CW announced its midseason schedule today, including the premiere of two new dramas, STAR-CROSSED and THE 100, and the second cycle of the hit comedy/improv series WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
 
 
 
In February, the futuristic story of an alien/human romance begins with the premiere of STAR-CROSSED on Monday, February 17 (8:00-9:00pm ET), leading into another epic romance, Beauty And The Beast.
 
 
 
In March, the human race returns to planet Earth in the post-apocalyptic adventure drama, THE 100, which will premiere on Wednesday, March 19 (9:00-10:00pm ET), following hit drama Arrow.   THE TOMORROW PEOPLE will transport to its new night and time on Mondays (9:00-10:00pm ET), beginning March 17, following STAR-CROSSED.  After the March 10th telecast, Beauty And The Beast will Go On hiatus and will return to the schedule with original episodes at a date to be announced. 
 
 
The hit comedy/improv series WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? will be back with a second cycle on Friday, March 21 with new episodes (8:00-8:30 and 8:30-9:00pm ET).  Subsequent weeks will feature original episodes at 8:00pm and encore episodes at 8:30pm. Encore episodes from the first season of WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? will air Fridays at 8:00pm and 8:30pm from February 14 through March 14.  Following a brief hiatus, Hart Of Dixie will return with a new night and time on Fridays (9:00-10:00pm ET), beginning March 21.  
 
 
 
Following is The CW’s revised midseason premiere schedule:
 
 
 
Monday, February 17  
 
8:00-9:00pm               “Star-Crossed” (Series Premiere)
 
9:00-10:00pm             “Beauty And The Beast” 
 
 
 
 
Monday, March 17
 
8:00-9:00pm               “Star-Crossed”
 
9:00-10:00pm             “The Tomorrow People” (New Night)
 
 
 
Wednesday, March 19
 
8:00-9:00pm               “Arrow” 
 
9:00-10:0pm               “The 100” (Series Premiere)
 
 
 
Friday, March 21
 
8:00-8:30pm               “Whose Line Is It Anyway?” (Cycle Two Premiere)
 
8:30-9:00pm               “Whose Line Is It Anyway?”
 
9:00-10:00pm             “Hart Of Dixie” (New Night)
 

So what do you think everyone?   A stronger schedule or no?  Any objections?  

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