The second half of its first season should be an interesting one for the CW, which has found its footing but has yet to take many big strides.
With some exceptions, early ratings weren't great when the UPN-WB hybrid bowed in September -- but that wasn't too surprising.
After all, its launch came less than eight months after the network was created. And former UPN shows changed their spots on the dial in about two-thirds of the country, while ex-WB skeins shifted in nearly 30%.
By the end of the November sweep, though, young adults had figured out where to find faves like "America's Next Top Model" and "Smallville." Indeed, nearly all CW series achieved season highs in their final firstrun airings of 2006.
Still, the net in its current form seems a motley mix of solid but fading vet dramas and successful reality skeins, with some African-American comedies thrown in.
That makes next season's development huge for the Green web. Topper Dawn Ostroff says she's developing more shows than the WB or UPN ever did -- and that should go a long way toward putting a fresh face on the net.
Here's a look at the CW:
What sizzled: "America's Next Top Model" quickly became the CW's first top show, with the seventh edition of the skein often ranking No. 1 among women 18-34 in its timeslot.
Its Wednesday skedmate "One Tree Hill" also has been a good performer, rising to its best ratings in two years with a stronger season creatively.
They seemed mismatched -- the unscripted "Model" skewing much more urban -- but the Wednesday combo has become the best meshing of UPN and WB programs to date.
Dramas "Smallville," "Supernatural" and "Gilmore Girls" have put up solid to good numbers, while "Veronica Mars," paired with "Gilmore Girls," is up slightly vs. last year, but could still do better.
"Smallville" is the net's No. 1 scripted program in 18-34 (2.1 rating), followed by "One Tree Hill" (1.9) and "Gilmore Girls" (1.8). "Top Model" is far and away No. 1 overall (3.2) and will return for its eighth season in late February.
Another reality show, "Beauty and the Geek," has excelled while "Model" rests. And "Reba" has done well on Sunday, although the show doesn't fit into CW's long-term plans of reaching a young, urban audience.
What fizzled: Net's Monday drama "Runaway" was a bust from the start, averaging a 0.8 rating in adults 18-34 in its two airings there and prompting a sked overhaul that sent "7th Heaven" to Sunday.
Monday then became a night for African-American comedies -- as it had been for years on UPN -- but they didn't travel well to the new net. Lineup, anchored by "Everybody Hates Chris" at 8 and vet "Girlfriends" at 9, is down more than 25% vs. UPN a year ago and could use some new blood.
"Chris" has lost some buzz after its big 2005 bow, but it remains one of television's better comedies and has been renewed for next season.
Sunday overall remains the weak spot for the net, and there are no easy solutions.
What's ahead: "Pussycat Dolls Present: The Search for the Next Doll" bows March 6, and will air at 9 p.m. Tuesdays for eight weeks in place of "Veronica Mars" repeats. Music competition skein could benefit from airing in the hour after "American Idol" on Fox.
When "Veronica Mars" returns in April for its final five episodes this season, there will not be a continuing mystery storyline. Looking to try something different -- and in a bid to attract new viewers -- each episode will feature self-contained mysteries.
If they're well-received and ratings increase, "Veronica" could be back for a fifth season.
The intriguing drama "Hidden Palms" also could bow this spring, although the net hasn't announced an airdate -- and there's no obvious slot before the season ends in May. A summer bow is a possibility, perhaps paired with a firstrun reality show.
Biggest question marks: Now that "Top Model" and "Beauty and the Geek" have performed better than expected, will the net push even further into reality?
It's certainly not a bad way to establish an identity. And CW has what sounds like another potential winner in mother-daughter beauty pageant skein "Crowned," which will air later this year.
What direction does the net take in comedy? Both UPN and CW were hoping for a broader audience for "Chris," but it remains heavily reliant on African-American viewers. It will be telling to see what comedy pilots get picked up.
The return of "7th Heaven" likely depends on drama development and whether the net has something to pair it with. Ratings haven't been great on Sunday, and the net must significantly retool there.
Overall, the CW is still looking for an identity, and that's something that may not become clear until it lands its first homegrown hit.
Bottom line: Gains over last year's WB numbers rep a decent start, but we won't know much about CW or its long-term prospects until about this time next year.
Contact Rick Kissell at
rick.kissell@variety.com