1 00:00:08,200 --> 00:00:12,720 Speaker 1: Welcome to Strictly Business Variety's weekly podcasts featuring conversations about 2 00:00:12,760 --> 00:00:16,479 Speaker 1: the business of media and entertainment. I'm TV business writer 3 00:00:16,640 --> 00:00:20,560 Speaker 1: Jennifer Monts. Dennis Miller, and Brad Schwartz took charge of 4 00:00:20,600 --> 00:00:23,880 Speaker 1: the CW network last fall when they were appointed network 5 00:00:23,880 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: President and entertainment President, respectively, by new owner Nextstar. With 6 00:00:28,600 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: the fall TV season upon us at a particularly tumultuous 7 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:35,159 Speaker 1: time for Hollywood, I spoke with Pop TV alum Schwartz 8 00:00:35,520 --> 00:00:39,400 Speaker 1: and Sony Pictures and Lionsgate TV v Miller about their sports, 9 00:00:39,520 --> 00:00:43,720 Speaker 1: unscripted and acquired international content heavy slate, as well as 10 00:00:43,720 --> 00:00:46,000 Speaker 1: the larger plan for the network born in two thousand 11 00:00:46,000 --> 00:00:49,440 Speaker 1: and six out of the merger between CBS's UPN and 12 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:53,440 Speaker 1: Warner Brothers. The WB. Stay tuned for more after the break. 13 00:01:01,360 --> 00:01:03,880 Speaker 2: And we're back with Brad Schwartz and Dennis Miller on 14 00:01:03,920 --> 00:01:06,160 Speaker 2: the reinvention of the CW Network. 15 00:01:07,400 --> 00:01:10,039 Speaker 1: So I'm going to start with like the most recent question, 16 00:01:10,120 --> 00:01:13,559 Speaker 1: which is at what point the decision was made during 17 00:01:13,560 --> 00:01:17,400 Speaker 1: the summer to alter the fall schedule given the changes 18 00:01:17,720 --> 00:01:19,840 Speaker 1: from upfront time to them. 19 00:01:20,280 --> 00:01:22,720 Speaker 3: You know, I don't think it's all that different. I 20 00:01:22,720 --> 00:01:26,120 Speaker 3: think the biggest change was that we had All American 21 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:29,240 Speaker 3: on the schedule, which you know, at the time the 22 00:01:29,240 --> 00:01:31,480 Speaker 3: strike wasn't happening, and we thought that show would deliver 23 00:01:31,560 --> 00:01:34,640 Speaker 3: for fourth quarter. It's a monster of a show for us, 24 00:01:35,200 --> 00:01:38,039 Speaker 3: and we were very smartly pairing that with a great 25 00:01:38,080 --> 00:01:43,160 Speaker 3: show fifty first Street. When the strike impacted All American, 26 00:01:43,240 --> 00:01:45,479 Speaker 3: we just had to make a little change, you know. There, 27 00:01:46,319 --> 00:01:48,600 Speaker 3: So we moved our comedy block that we had talked 28 00:01:48,600 --> 00:01:50,520 Speaker 3: about to Monday nights. We thought that was a good 29 00:01:50,800 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 3: competitive night for comedies, and then on Tuesdays, we signed 30 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,320 Speaker 3: a great deal with NFL Films to bring Inside the 31 00:01:59,400 --> 00:02:03,800 Speaker 3: NFL to the CW, which which brings the NFL, you know, 32 00:02:03,840 --> 00:02:07,880 Speaker 3: the biggest sports brand in the country, a very valuable 33 00:02:08,000 --> 00:02:12,800 Speaker 3: NFL Crest, a partner in NFL Films, and a forty 34 00:02:12,880 --> 00:02:17,040 Speaker 3: year well known sports franchise that has won Emmys, and 35 00:02:17,720 --> 00:02:20,799 Speaker 3: for the first time ever is available for sponsorship and advertising. 36 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:23,800 Speaker 3: So that was a really exciting opportunity for us to 37 00:02:23,880 --> 00:02:27,160 Speaker 3: get into a partnership with the NFL. And besides that, 38 00:02:27,320 --> 00:02:28,400 Speaker 3: I don't think anything else. 39 00:02:28,240 --> 00:02:32,839 Speaker 1: Has changed, Dennis, the number of deals that I've made, 40 00:02:32,919 --> 00:02:35,240 Speaker 1: you know, speaking about Inside the NFL, but just strictly 41 00:02:35,240 --> 00:02:38,280 Speaker 1: on sports, right, there have been three since the last 42 00:02:38,320 --> 00:02:40,720 Speaker 1: time that we talked, so I wanted to know how 43 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:43,400 Speaker 1: that came about, how long those talks were going, and 44 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:45,800 Speaker 1: if there's more coming live. 45 00:02:46,760 --> 00:02:50,040 Speaker 4: You know, we were, you know, obviously, like everyone kind 46 00:02:50,080 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 4: of like, wow, this is a huge new development and 47 00:02:53,440 --> 00:02:56,959 Speaker 4: potentially could be very interesting for CW. 48 00:02:57,760 --> 00:02:59,080 Speaker 5: Obviously there's a lot. 49 00:02:58,960 --> 00:03:02,520 Speaker 4: Of uh, you know, field to plow right now for 50 00:03:03,040 --> 00:03:05,560 Speaker 4: the Live Folks and the p I F and the 51 00:03:05,600 --> 00:03:08,400 Speaker 4: p G A, and they're doing what they're doing, and 52 00:03:08,800 --> 00:03:09,840 Speaker 4: we hope it comes to. 53 00:03:09,760 --> 00:03:11,560 Speaker 5: A successful conclusion. 54 00:03:11,600 --> 00:03:14,480 Speaker 4: They've announced the first half of next season that we 55 00:03:14,520 --> 00:03:16,800 Speaker 4: did back in New York a while ago. But you know, 56 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:19,640 Speaker 4: we're we're just fingers crossed and hope that this comes 57 00:03:19,680 --> 00:03:23,680 Speaker 4: to a place where Live and PGA can you know, 58 00:03:23,760 --> 00:03:26,880 Speaker 4: coexist in a good way. And I think we think 59 00:03:26,919 --> 00:03:29,600 Speaker 4: that's where this will all end up. But we we 60 00:03:29,760 --> 00:03:33,320 Speaker 4: you know, remain kind of cautiously optimistic, uh. And then 61 00:03:33,360 --> 00:03:38,280 Speaker 4: the ACC Sean Compton, you know, Jenny, I believe, you know, 62 00:03:38,360 --> 00:03:41,000 Speaker 4: had been in conversations for a long time with the 63 00:03:41,080 --> 00:03:44,880 Speaker 4: Raycon Folks, which is owned by Gray, and he had 64 00:03:44,920 --> 00:03:48,240 Speaker 4: really kind of initiated the conversations as the a c 65 00:03:48,440 --> 00:03:52,720 Speaker 4: C as Raycon was able to pull a package together 66 00:03:53,000 --> 00:03:57,280 Speaker 4: of you know, top college football and basketball games given 67 00:03:57,320 --> 00:04:00,640 Speaker 4: the you know, the existing incumbents in play, and so 68 00:04:01,520 --> 00:04:06,520 Speaker 4: we jumped in and Sean and LeeAnne our CFO at 69 00:04:06,600 --> 00:04:10,200 Speaker 4: Next Star really you know, actively were negotiating for some time, 70 00:04:10,320 --> 00:04:13,640 Speaker 4: and then with the season approaching it it was moving 71 00:04:13,760 --> 00:04:18,599 Speaker 4: expeditiously and ultimately we're able to you know, secure those 72 00:04:18,680 --> 00:04:23,719 Speaker 4: rights and launching as you know, September ninth inside the 73 00:04:23,839 --> 00:04:28,839 Speaker 4: NFL came across the transom from ross Quitoer at NFL Films, 74 00:04:29,480 --> 00:04:31,520 Speaker 4: and we were delighted when we heard that there may 75 00:04:31,520 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 4: be an opportunity to move the Emmy Award winning top 76 00:04:35,040 --> 00:04:38,960 Speaker 4: show off of Showtime in HBO after all those years 77 00:04:39,000 --> 00:04:41,760 Speaker 4: and have NFL Tuesday Night wrapping up the weekend and 78 00:04:41,800 --> 00:04:45,359 Speaker 4: Monday night schedule. So that happened and moved, you know, 79 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:51,400 Speaker 4: very quickly, and NASCAR had been being negotiated for some time. 80 00:04:51,520 --> 00:04:53,520 Speaker 5: This was really at the Next Star. 81 00:04:53,440 --> 00:04:57,839 Speaker 4: Level with Perry and you know all of his team, Leanne, Shawn, 82 00:04:57,880 --> 00:05:01,080 Speaker 4: the whole gang and ourselves had series of meetings with 83 00:05:01,120 --> 00:05:05,120 Speaker 4: the NASCAR folks and I think these were both founder companies, 84 00:05:05,120 --> 00:05:09,240 Speaker 4: the France family and Perry having started next Door and 85 00:05:09,320 --> 00:05:11,560 Speaker 4: being the fifth largest shareholder in the company. There was 86 00:05:11,600 --> 00:05:16,320 Speaker 4: a commonality of kind of perspectives and interests. The Extinity 87 00:05:16,440 --> 00:05:21,640 Speaker 4: came up opportunistically and we pounced and you know successfully 88 00:05:21,680 --> 00:05:23,760 Speaker 4: were able to make that seven year deal with them. So, 89 00:05:24,600 --> 00:05:28,640 Speaker 4: you know, a lot happened very very quickly, very opportunistically. 90 00:05:28,680 --> 00:05:33,359 Speaker 4: I think the combination of cable erosion creating concerns for 91 00:05:33,480 --> 00:05:39,160 Speaker 4: leagues wanting this broad distribution, RSN implosion, retooling of leagues 92 00:05:39,160 --> 00:05:42,800 Speaker 4: which is ongoing right now, and I think Brad and 93 00:05:42,839 --> 00:05:47,400 Speaker 4: I were both very you know, surprised and excited about 94 00:05:47,400 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 4: what was coming our way. So we went from zero, 95 00:05:50,440 --> 00:05:53,280 Speaker 4: as Brat might like to say to you know, four 96 00:05:53,400 --> 00:05:57,400 Speaker 4: hundred and fifty hours in twenty twenty five of sports. 97 00:05:58,120 --> 00:06:01,839 Speaker 3: Yeah, I'll just put one more our button on the 98 00:06:01,920 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 3: end of that. So yeah, so, you know, six months 99 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:08,279 Speaker 3: ago and historically zero live sports on the CW. This 100 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:10,920 Speaker 3: year we'll have over three hundred hours of live sports, 101 00:06:11,040 --> 00:06:13,560 Speaker 3: and in two thousand and twenty five we'll have four 102 00:06:13,640 --> 00:06:16,280 Speaker 3: hundred and fifty hours of sports, and we'll have live 103 00:06:16,320 --> 00:06:19,440 Speaker 3: sports on the CW forty eight weekends a year, and 104 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:24,040 Speaker 3: that's moving very quickly into the sports business and what 105 00:06:24,080 --> 00:06:27,400 Speaker 3: I love. And the other new thing that's happened is 106 00:06:27,560 --> 00:06:31,200 Speaker 3: we now have CW programming hours on Saturday and Sunday afternoons, 107 00:06:31,640 --> 00:06:34,279 Speaker 3: which we've never had, which also just allows for audience 108 00:06:34,320 --> 00:06:37,280 Speaker 3: flow that you can talk to those audiences during the 109 00:06:37,400 --> 00:06:40,840 Speaker 3: day about stuff that's coming into prime. Football can push 110 00:06:40,880 --> 00:06:43,480 Speaker 3: to golf, Golf can push to college football, college football 111 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:46,720 Speaker 3: can push back to golf, and then we can you know, 112 00:06:46,839 --> 00:06:49,080 Speaker 3: use all of that to promote our primetime lineup. So 113 00:06:49,680 --> 00:06:53,159 Speaker 3: it's really exciting. And to answer the second part of 114 00:06:53,160 --> 00:06:55,839 Speaker 3: your question that you asked, Dennis, as you can imagine, 115 00:06:55,880 --> 00:06:59,159 Speaker 3: when you announce all these great big sports things, every 116 00:06:59,200 --> 00:07:02,320 Speaker 3: other sports league arts calling. And so yes, I don't 117 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:03,120 Speaker 3: I don't think. 118 00:07:02,920 --> 00:07:05,360 Speaker 1: We're done a little bit more for you on that rub, 119 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:08,600 Speaker 1: which is what the balance is like for you moving forward. Then, 120 00:07:08,720 --> 00:07:11,240 Speaker 1: as we look at the new CW, with sports being 121 00:07:11,280 --> 00:07:13,520 Speaker 1: such an important part of this, what the rest of 122 00:07:13,560 --> 00:07:16,160 Speaker 1: your schedule looks like. You know, obviously there's the weekend 123 00:07:16,200 --> 00:07:18,800 Speaker 1: and then there's primetime during the week and if you 124 00:07:18,840 --> 00:07:20,880 Speaker 1: see more of it moving there, if there's a chance 125 00:07:20,880 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 1: for that, and then how much time you have a 126 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,520 Speaker 1: program scripted and unscripted during the week and what you're 127 00:07:25,560 --> 00:07:27,000 Speaker 1: looking for that balance there. 128 00:07:27,640 --> 00:07:29,960 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know, I think in our lot. In Nexttar's 129 00:07:30,000 --> 00:07:33,360 Speaker 3: last earnings report, our CEO mentioned how we were starting 130 00:07:33,440 --> 00:07:35,840 Speaker 3: to look and feel a lot more like Fox, you know, 131 00:07:35,920 --> 00:07:38,320 Speaker 3: in that we have two hours of primetime a night, 132 00:07:38,480 --> 00:07:42,320 Speaker 3: and now we're getting into major sports on the weekends. 133 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:46,400 Speaker 3: Our primetime lineup is still going to be heavily entertainment programming. 134 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:47,240 Speaker 5: You know. 135 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:50,520 Speaker 3: I've always kind of thought as we evolve the CW, 136 00:07:50,920 --> 00:07:54,000 Speaker 3: it'll be very balanced fifty to fifty between scripted and unscripted. 137 00:07:54,680 --> 00:07:57,640 Speaker 3: And of course when we have the opportunity to put 138 00:07:57,720 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 3: some sports into primetime, we're going to take some shots 139 00:08:00,920 --> 00:08:04,080 Speaker 3: and do that. And having inside the NFL in prime 140 00:08:04,080 --> 00:08:06,560 Speaker 3: time on Tuesdays, that's just where it's always been for 141 00:08:06,560 --> 00:08:09,240 Speaker 3: forty years. That was kind of the easiest scheduling decision 142 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:12,679 Speaker 3: of all time. But we have some acc football games 143 00:08:12,680 --> 00:08:15,280 Speaker 3: coming that will be in prime. Our first game on 144 00:08:15,320 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 3: the ninth will be in prime, and then two weeks 145 00:08:18,280 --> 00:08:21,040 Speaker 3: later we're going to have five hours of live golf 146 00:08:21,120 --> 00:08:24,080 Speaker 3: leading into three and a half hours bACC football. That's 147 00:08:24,520 --> 00:08:26,760 Speaker 3: eight and a half hours straight of live sports on 148 00:08:26,760 --> 00:08:30,440 Speaker 3: the CW. It's just it's never happened before. So we'll 149 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:33,040 Speaker 3: put some sports into prime where we can. But really, 150 00:08:33,120 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 3: from what we presented at the upfront, are you know 151 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:38,840 Speaker 3: two hours a night, seven nights a week is still 152 00:08:38,920 --> 00:08:40,760 Speaker 3: very heavily entertainment programming. 153 00:08:42,400 --> 00:08:44,760 Speaker 1: You know, as Brad said, not much changed for you 154 00:08:44,800 --> 00:08:47,920 Speaker 1: all in the fall schedule, especially compared to your competitors 155 00:08:47,920 --> 00:08:50,959 Speaker 1: who might have been a little riskier in making their 156 00:08:50,960 --> 00:08:53,600 Speaker 1: initial decisions. So Dennis don't want to know how that 157 00:08:53,720 --> 00:08:57,079 Speaker 1: ended up affecting the upfront and what sales look like 158 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,320 Speaker 1: and what partnerships look like going into this fall first 159 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:03,400 Speaker 1: that you guys are really modifying and changing and in 160 00:09:03,440 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 1: control of the fall schedule. 161 00:09:05,559 --> 00:09:09,960 Speaker 4: Well, we got lucky in ways because you know, we 162 00:09:09,960 --> 00:09:13,479 Speaker 4: were had a number of uh, you know, high profile 163 00:09:13,720 --> 00:09:16,640 Speaker 4: and high quality series that Brad and his team were 164 00:09:16,679 --> 00:09:20,400 Speaker 4: able to you know, go out and dig under a 165 00:09:20,440 --> 00:09:23,120 Speaker 4: lot of rocks and talk to a lot of talented 166 00:09:23,200 --> 00:09:27,040 Speaker 4: production companies in the UK and Canada and elsewhere and find, 167 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:31,079 Speaker 4: you know, opportunities to put this programming on our prime 168 00:09:31,160 --> 00:09:34,160 Speaker 4: time in the fall. We were ending a lot of 169 00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:37,880 Speaker 4: stuff that had been already committed under the previous owners, 170 00:09:37,960 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 4: So we were taking on a lot and running a 171 00:09:41,120 --> 00:09:43,560 Speaker 4: lot of stuff. But we you know, we're fortunate to 172 00:09:43,559 --> 00:09:45,800 Speaker 4: have a number of scripted series that we're just getting 173 00:09:45,840 --> 00:09:49,280 Speaker 4: started on the CW. Obviously, as Brad just said, we've 174 00:09:49,320 --> 00:09:52,800 Speaker 4: got sports on the weekend, and you know, Brad can 175 00:09:52,880 --> 00:09:55,560 Speaker 4: tell you, but you know, we have a pretty active 176 00:09:56,240 --> 00:10:00,280 Speaker 4: nonfiction slate right now that is shooting around the country. 177 00:10:00,800 --> 00:10:04,760 Speaker 4: So I think compared to our competitors who were punkering 178 00:10:04,800 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 4: down and as you know, Jenny talking publicly about selling assets, 179 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:13,680 Speaker 4: I think we were very pleased and happy to be 180 00:10:14,160 --> 00:10:15,400 Speaker 4: building and buying. 181 00:10:16,200 --> 00:10:18,320 Speaker 5: So we think we're we're in a pretty good. 182 00:10:18,240 --> 00:10:23,199 Speaker 1: Place Brad going into this fall from a marketing perspective, 183 00:10:23,240 --> 00:10:25,320 Speaker 1: you know, we talked back in May, but you were like, 184 00:10:25,360 --> 00:10:26,960 Speaker 1: we've got more to com and you'll see how it 185 00:10:27,040 --> 00:10:29,840 Speaker 1: rolls out so far. But promoting the fall and promoting 186 00:10:30,000 --> 00:10:33,480 Speaker 1: the new CW also given that we know that this 187 00:10:33,600 --> 00:10:35,960 Speaker 1: might not be exactly what things look like next fall, 188 00:10:36,040 --> 00:10:39,000 Speaker 1: this could be very different, So how you're branding yourselves 189 00:10:39,040 --> 00:10:41,679 Speaker 1: as the new CW with kind of an asterisk that 190 00:10:41,760 --> 00:10:44,440 Speaker 1: like more to com things could change, Like we obviously 191 00:10:44,440 --> 00:10:46,720 Speaker 1: don't have the same tools going into this fall that 192 00:10:46,760 --> 00:10:48,280 Speaker 1: we could have to program. 193 00:10:49,160 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, look, we knew that the fall was 194 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:54,199 Speaker 3: going to be a lot of new and exciting content 195 00:10:54,240 --> 00:10:56,880 Speaker 3: on the schedule, and we need to keep our powder 196 00:10:56,960 --> 00:10:59,560 Speaker 3: dry and keep our marketing dollars ready for fall. We 197 00:10:59,760 --> 00:11:02,800 Speaker 3: just closed our upfront and we have ratings targets to hit, 198 00:11:03,200 --> 00:11:04,600 Speaker 3: and we have a bunch of new shows that we 199 00:11:04,679 --> 00:11:06,480 Speaker 3: think are going to hit them, and so we want 200 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:08,280 Speaker 3: to give those shows the best chance possible. So we've 201 00:11:08,280 --> 00:11:10,920 Speaker 3: saved a lot of our marketing money, you know, to 202 00:11:10,960 --> 00:11:14,560 Speaker 3: promote priorities like Sullivan's Crossing, like Son of a Critch, 203 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:18,200 Speaker 3: like Inside the NFL, like f Boy Island, the sports 204 00:11:18,240 --> 00:11:20,640 Speaker 3: on the weekend. So we're going to be putting a 205 00:11:20,640 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 3: lot of money behind, you know, giving those shows a 206 00:11:22,960 --> 00:11:27,560 Speaker 3: great chance. And then what comes. As Dennis said, I mean, 207 00:11:27,600 --> 00:11:32,080 Speaker 3: we have ten to fifteen unscripted series currently in production 208 00:11:32,200 --> 00:11:36,080 Speaker 3: shooting all over the country, our unscripted teams visiting all 209 00:11:36,080 --> 00:11:38,199 Speaker 3: these places, they're constantly out of the office. But we 210 00:11:38,280 --> 00:11:41,920 Speaker 3: have a lot of really ambitious, exciting, new original, homegrown 211 00:11:42,000 --> 00:11:45,440 Speaker 3: unscripted content coming and then also, you know, we have 212 00:11:45,520 --> 00:11:49,000 Speaker 3: about five scripted series that are that are that are 213 00:11:49,040 --> 00:11:51,720 Speaker 3: going that are co productions, that are independent productions that 214 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:56,480 Speaker 3: are that got waivers and are being produced. And so 215 00:11:56,520 --> 00:12:01,880 Speaker 3: we're really excited about homegrown, from scratch scripted content that's coming. 216 00:12:02,360 --> 00:12:04,440 Speaker 3: And then for some of the acquisitions that we've made, 217 00:12:04,520 --> 00:12:06,679 Speaker 3: be it you know, Sullivan's Crossing or some kind of 218 00:12:06,720 --> 00:12:09,920 Speaker 3: a Critch, those shows are shooting second and third seasons 219 00:12:10,000 --> 00:12:12,480 Speaker 3: and we are creatively involved as co producers on all 220 00:12:12,480 --> 00:12:15,640 Speaker 3: of those shows. So so our scripted team is crazy 221 00:12:15,679 --> 00:12:18,760 Speaker 3: busy with a whole bunch of new stuff coming in 222 00:12:18,840 --> 00:12:21,920 Speaker 3: the new year, and our unscripted team is busy, and 223 00:12:21,960 --> 00:12:24,480 Speaker 3: we continue with sports. When can you inside the NFL? 224 00:12:24,600 --> 00:12:28,360 Speaker 3: And you know, the SoundBite I like to say is 225 00:12:28,400 --> 00:12:31,400 Speaker 3: this fall, the CW will have more scripted content on 226 00:12:31,440 --> 00:12:33,119 Speaker 3: its schedule than any other broadcaster. 227 00:12:35,400 --> 00:12:37,439 Speaker 1: So if you had to give the best, like what 228 00:12:37,520 --> 00:12:39,760 Speaker 1: you want the identity of the CW to be known 229 00:12:39,800 --> 00:12:41,439 Speaker 1: as right now, and if you want to kind of 230 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,000 Speaker 1: leave it open for what it'll be in the future, 231 00:12:44,080 --> 00:12:44,840 Speaker 1: what would you say? 232 00:12:45,800 --> 00:12:48,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, you know what our goal was certainly to try 233 00:12:48,520 --> 00:12:50,520 Speaker 3: and get broader, and when you look at all the 234 00:12:50,559 --> 00:12:52,920 Speaker 3: broadcast networks. I mean, we are broadcast. We're not a 235 00:12:53,040 --> 00:12:56,280 Speaker 3: niche cable channel. We have to reach the largest audiences possible. 236 00:12:56,360 --> 00:12:58,240 Speaker 3: We need those audiences to fall in love with us, 237 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:00,280 Speaker 3: and we want to spend a lot of time with us. 238 00:13:01,040 --> 00:13:03,600 Speaker 3: But if you steal some of the magic of the 239 00:13:03,640 --> 00:13:07,240 Speaker 3: old CW, the CW was always a contrarian brand. There 240 00:13:07,280 --> 00:13:10,880 Speaker 3: was always a more youthful brand, and I think there 241 00:13:10,880 --> 00:13:13,680 Speaker 3: are some things in that world that we can put 242 00:13:13,679 --> 00:13:15,839 Speaker 3: on the new CW. I think we're an underdog. I 243 00:13:15,880 --> 00:13:19,000 Speaker 3: think that's a really nice place to be. We strive 244 00:13:19,120 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 3: to be one of the you know to be big 245 00:13:21,800 --> 00:13:26,160 Speaker 3: five network and all of our programming choices are pushing 246 00:13:26,200 --> 00:13:28,160 Speaker 3: us there. And that's why we want comedy fans and 247 00:13:29,120 --> 00:13:32,720 Speaker 3: adult drama fans, and sports fans and big unscripted fans 248 00:13:32,760 --> 00:13:35,920 Speaker 3: to all come here. And we are currently working on 249 00:13:35,960 --> 00:13:39,080 Speaker 3: a channel redesign, not a new name, but a redesign 250 00:13:39,559 --> 00:13:42,120 Speaker 3: that kind of feels elastic enough where all these things 251 00:13:42,320 --> 00:13:46,120 Speaker 3: make sense all together and wraps up. But I love 252 00:13:46,160 --> 00:13:50,080 Speaker 3: the idea of feeling different than the other broadcast networks, 253 00:13:50,080 --> 00:13:52,520 Speaker 3: of maybe being a little more youthful in our tone, 254 00:13:53,080 --> 00:13:55,960 Speaker 3: even at just so that everything feels different when you 255 00:13:56,000 --> 00:13:59,280 Speaker 3: come to the CW. But we are making broad choices, 256 00:14:00,040 --> 00:14:02,520 Speaker 3: but also things that and you'll see in some of 257 00:14:02,559 --> 00:14:05,560 Speaker 3: our newer announcements that haven't come out yet, some really 258 00:14:05,559 --> 00:14:08,640 Speaker 3: contrarian things that I think the early days of Fox 259 00:14:08,640 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 3: when they started things like married with Children that was 260 00:14:10,840 --> 00:14:13,600 Speaker 3: just different than anybody else was doing. I think you're 261 00:14:13,600 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 3: going to see a little of that coming as well. 262 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:18,560 Speaker 3: But if we can be an underdog, a contrarian, a 263 00:14:18,559 --> 00:14:23,760 Speaker 3: little more youthful, a way of combining audiences that might 264 00:14:23,800 --> 00:14:26,800 Speaker 3: be in their fifties on linear and they should have 265 00:14:26,840 --> 00:14:29,440 Speaker 3: a passionate connection to the CW, and then that same 266 00:14:29,560 --> 00:14:34,080 Speaker 3: content reach a completely unduplicated, younger audience on streaming and 267 00:14:34,120 --> 00:14:37,400 Speaker 3: make that all feel makes sense together. That's the goal. 268 00:14:38,840 --> 00:14:41,480 Speaker 1: So what have you all seen from next start in 269 00:14:41,600 --> 00:14:45,400 Speaker 1: terms of your spend that you've been given, the access 270 00:14:45,440 --> 00:14:48,800 Speaker 1: to content spend, marketing spend in this new CW. 271 00:14:53,200 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 3: I think Dennis nailed it before. I think you look 272 00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:58,160 Speaker 3: out there at the media industry and a lot of 273 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:01,480 Speaker 3: people are contracting or hearing interviews that people give, or 274 00:15:01,480 --> 00:15:05,720 Speaker 3: people aren't trying to get rid of assets. And then 275 00:15:05,760 --> 00:15:08,560 Speaker 3: I look at the CW and gosh, I we have 276 00:15:08,600 --> 00:15:11,480 Speaker 3: ten or twenty positions that we're hiring for. We're hiring, 277 00:15:11,640 --> 00:15:15,240 Speaker 3: we're growing, We're spending tons of money on sports rights. 278 00:15:16,400 --> 00:15:20,080 Speaker 3: We're investing in scripted and unscripted and like four hundred 279 00:15:20,120 --> 00:15:22,640 Speaker 3: and fifty hours original content that'll be on the CW 280 00:15:22,760 --> 00:15:26,800 Speaker 3: next year. We're investing in our digital platforms. So I see, 281 00:15:27,440 --> 00:15:29,000 Speaker 3: you know, I think a lot of people that come 282 00:15:29,000 --> 00:15:30,680 Speaker 3: and pitch us these days are like, you guys are 283 00:15:30,720 --> 00:15:33,920 Speaker 3: the only buyers in town, you know, as a joke. 284 00:15:34,200 --> 00:15:38,320 Speaker 3: I think we're I think we're playing offense and that's exciting. 285 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,480 Speaker 3: That doesn't mean we can compete with Netflix budgets or 286 00:15:41,480 --> 00:15:44,400 Speaker 3: Disney budgets, et cetera. We do have to be smarter 287 00:15:44,520 --> 00:15:47,800 Speaker 3: and scrappier and find things that other in places other 288 00:15:47,800 --> 00:15:52,360 Speaker 3: people aren't looking, and hit above our weight and have 289 00:15:52,400 --> 00:15:55,400 Speaker 3: a high batting average at the same time. But I 290 00:15:55,440 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 3: think we're being very aggressive and playing offense. 291 00:16:01,320 --> 00:16:03,960 Speaker 1: Dennis has that it all affected the ideas of the 292 00:16:04,000 --> 00:16:07,560 Speaker 1: path to profitability for the CW that were previously projected. 293 00:16:09,360 --> 00:16:10,400 Speaker 5: I don't think so. 294 00:16:10,480 --> 00:16:14,560 Speaker 4: I think that we you know that the entire company said, hey, 295 00:16:14,640 --> 00:16:18,280 Speaker 4: sports is a way to drive asset value for the 296 00:16:18,320 --> 00:16:22,800 Speaker 4: CW and probably the smartest you know component here visa 297 00:16:22,840 --> 00:16:25,160 Speaker 4: you our local broadcasters. As you know, we have thirty 298 00:16:25,160 --> 00:16:30,600 Speaker 4: plus CW stations, they've never had sports before. The MVPDs 299 00:16:30,640 --> 00:16:34,160 Speaker 4: and the virtual MVPDs have made it clear that sports 300 00:16:34,240 --> 00:16:35,040 Speaker 4: is really. 301 00:16:34,840 --> 00:16:37,080 Speaker 5: The driver of value for consumers. 302 00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,760 Speaker 4: We've been the beneficiary of a lot of rsns between 303 00:16:41,800 --> 00:16:47,080 Speaker 4: their debt structures and the cable situation and bundles starting 304 00:16:47,120 --> 00:16:50,200 Speaker 4: to decline dramatically that you know, imploded, and we've been 305 00:16:50,240 --> 00:16:53,200 Speaker 4: the beneficiary of that. So I think our big boss, 306 00:16:53,240 --> 00:16:55,560 Speaker 4: you know, Perry Sook, likes to say, hey, I want 307 00:16:55,560 --> 00:16:58,520 Speaker 4: to play smart TV. I want to play moneyball, not 308 00:16:58,640 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 4: interested in peak TV. That was something that Landgraft coined 309 00:17:02,960 --> 00:17:05,280 Speaker 4: brilliantly at the time, and I think. 310 00:17:05,119 --> 00:17:07,320 Speaker 5: Everyone's pulling back from that. But it's time to play 311 00:17:07,320 --> 00:17:08,480 Speaker 5: smart TV right now. 312 00:17:11,800 --> 00:17:14,240 Speaker 1: We'll be back with more from Brad and Dennis after 313 00:17:14,320 --> 00:17:14,840 Speaker 1: this break. 314 00:17:21,119 --> 00:17:23,800 Speaker 2: And we're back with more from Brad Schwartz and Dennis 315 00:17:23,800 --> 00:17:26,520 Speaker 2: Miller on the reinvention of the CW network. 316 00:17:27,760 --> 00:17:29,840 Speaker 1: I mean this was back in April, but with you 317 00:17:29,880 --> 00:17:32,840 Speaker 1: all hiring your first ever chief digital officer, I want 318 00:17:32,880 --> 00:17:35,719 Speaker 1: to know what that signals for the future of the CW. 319 00:17:35,840 --> 00:17:37,480 Speaker 1: There are a lot of people, you know, talking about 320 00:17:37,520 --> 00:17:41,760 Speaker 1: what the relationship with streaming would be post the sale, 321 00:17:41,800 --> 00:17:43,439 Speaker 1: and I just want to know what you guys are 322 00:17:43,480 --> 00:17:44,439 Speaker 1: planning going forward. 323 00:17:45,040 --> 00:17:46,960 Speaker 4: I mean, I think a couple of things. You know, 324 00:17:47,040 --> 00:17:49,560 Speaker 4: Brad likes to say the CW needs to be everywhere, 325 00:17:50,240 --> 00:17:52,520 Speaker 4: and I think, you know, a brand needs to be 326 00:17:53,040 --> 00:17:57,320 Speaker 4: touching consumers everywhere. And as we're seeing, you get an audience, 327 00:17:57,440 --> 00:17:59,840 Speaker 4: you know, just by way of past example, an audience 328 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:03,479 Speaker 4: or all American on the CW, an audience that is, 329 00:18:03,600 --> 00:18:06,280 Speaker 4: you know, median age fifty nine, an audience that's median 330 00:18:06,359 --> 00:18:10,560 Speaker 4: age twenty nine for all American on the CW digital platform, 331 00:18:10,880 --> 00:18:13,720 Speaker 4: and then a top ten performing show on Netflix a 332 00:18:13,760 --> 00:18:17,639 Speaker 4: week later. So these shows have different audiences and different 333 00:18:17,640 --> 00:18:19,840 Speaker 4: touch points and engagement. And I think a lot of 334 00:18:19,880 --> 00:18:23,199 Speaker 4: people you know witness you know, Suits off of USA 335 00:18:23,320 --> 00:18:25,919 Speaker 4: being the number one streaming show on Netflix today. So 336 00:18:26,840 --> 00:18:29,879 Speaker 4: we made a big hire in Ashley Hovey coming out 337 00:18:29,920 --> 00:18:33,520 Speaker 4: of Roku. We loved the experience and knowledge she came 338 00:18:33,560 --> 00:18:36,359 Speaker 4: off of one of the top performing you know, avon 339 00:18:36,480 --> 00:18:40,159 Speaker 4: platforms out there. You know, Jenny what Pluto and twob 340 00:18:40,760 --> 00:18:43,560 Speaker 4: and free v and Roku are doing in terms of 341 00:18:43,680 --> 00:18:47,200 Speaker 4: driving audience awareness. They're now showing up on Nielsen reports here. 342 00:18:47,720 --> 00:18:52,520 Speaker 4: So you're going to see over the next certainly you know, 343 00:18:52,600 --> 00:18:55,920 Speaker 4: one to two years, and starting very soon, a very 344 00:18:55,960 --> 00:19:01,159 Speaker 4: aggressive content acquisition strategy for the CW Digital. We're going 345 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:03,440 Speaker 4: to grow it was a bit of an afterthought under 346 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:06,560 Speaker 4: the previous owners, but generate a lot of impressions. So 347 00:19:06,600 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 4: we're going to really focus on that twenty five to 348 00:19:09,119 --> 00:19:12,360 Speaker 4: forty year old spot. The app is being upgraded dramatically, 349 00:19:12,480 --> 00:19:14,960 Speaker 4: so we have you know, kind of best in class 350 00:19:15,400 --> 00:19:19,720 Speaker 4: vise are ther peers and then a lot of hours 351 00:19:19,760 --> 00:19:23,840 Speaker 4: and half hours and programs, fast channels and just you 352 00:19:23,840 --> 00:19:28,120 Speaker 4: know on demand programming that will supplement around that twenty five. 353 00:19:27,960 --> 00:19:28,960 Speaker 5: To forty year old base. 354 00:19:29,080 --> 00:19:32,600 Speaker 4: So that is you know, maybe one of the biggest 355 00:19:32,600 --> 00:19:35,320 Speaker 4: growth opportunities for the CW. 356 00:19:34,840 --> 00:19:36,320 Speaker 5: Overall, and you're going to see. 357 00:19:36,119 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 4: The resources and people you know, put against that under 358 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:40,600 Speaker 4: Ashley's direction. 359 00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:45,159 Speaker 1: So with that, I want to know what the future 360 00:19:45,359 --> 00:19:48,200 Speaker 1: any outside partnerships for streaming look like. As you all 361 00:19:48,200 --> 00:19:51,360 Speaker 1: mentioned how well All American does on Netflix, So decision 362 00:19:51,400 --> 00:19:54,560 Speaker 1: like that whenever that does come back what you see 363 00:19:54,560 --> 00:19:56,399 Speaker 1: as those Is there more of a thought to wanting 364 00:19:56,440 --> 00:19:59,200 Speaker 1: to own your own content and stream your own content 365 00:19:59,400 --> 00:20:01,800 Speaker 1: or do you can those partnerships that have proved. 366 00:20:01,520 --> 00:20:05,280 Speaker 5: A successful I'll let that softball go to brand. 367 00:20:08,800 --> 00:20:11,040 Speaker 3: Yeah. You know, one of the one of the biggest 368 00:20:11,119 --> 00:20:13,359 Speaker 3: challenges of the of the previous c W is they 369 00:20:13,359 --> 00:20:17,160 Speaker 3: didn't have the rights to the content. The content was fabulous. 370 00:20:17,480 --> 00:20:21,200 Speaker 3: But and as Dennis said in a week where Succession 371 00:20:21,359 --> 00:20:24,560 Speaker 3: was had its finale and ted Lasso had its finale, uh, 372 00:20:24,840 --> 00:20:27,399 Speaker 3: the All American on Netflix beat both of them on 373 00:20:27,440 --> 00:20:30,159 Speaker 3: the Nielsen ratings, Like, we know that the CW can 374 00:20:30,200 --> 00:20:33,240 Speaker 3: create hits and uh. And one of the issues with 375 00:20:33,280 --> 00:20:36,080 Speaker 3: the old CW is those rights, you know, were CBS 376 00:20:36,160 --> 00:20:38,600 Speaker 3: rights and they were Warner rights, and so that kind 377 00:20:38,640 --> 00:20:42,359 Speaker 3: of third, fourth, fifth, sixth window on this programming was 378 00:20:42,400 --> 00:20:45,080 Speaker 3: never really credited back to the c W. And all 379 00:20:45,160 --> 00:20:48,000 Speaker 3: the new content we're doing, both scripted and unscripted, all 380 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:52,600 Speaker 3: those rights are ours. And so as we decide, you know, 381 00:20:52,680 --> 00:20:55,840 Speaker 3: the future of CW content after we've monetized it on 382 00:20:55,920 --> 00:20:58,520 Speaker 3: linear and we've made the biggest hay with it on linear, 383 00:20:58,920 --> 00:21:02,600 Speaker 3: and we've monetized them our on our digital platforms. Those 384 00:21:02,600 --> 00:21:04,879 Speaker 3: decisions of where else we can take that content to 385 00:21:04,920 --> 00:21:10,040 Speaker 3: monetize it are now completely ours, and Ashley Hovey is 386 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,639 Speaker 3: working on a ton of strategies that can make sure 387 00:21:13,800 --> 00:21:16,879 Speaker 3: that every CW show is watched by as many people 388 00:21:16,880 --> 00:21:19,679 Speaker 3: as possible and that we are monetizing those connections everywhere 389 00:21:19,720 --> 00:21:23,800 Speaker 3: it happens. So that's absolutely a top three strategy for 390 00:21:23,840 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 3: the future of the Cwuh. 391 00:21:26,480 --> 00:21:28,960 Speaker 1: You know, you've got mid season not locked at all, 392 00:21:29,000 --> 00:21:31,400 Speaker 1: because no one does, but you do have a plan 393 00:21:31,520 --> 00:21:33,359 Speaker 1: moving forward, and I think looking at it, you have 394 00:21:33,520 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 1: roughly half of those shows that you've listed are done 395 00:21:37,000 --> 00:21:39,720 Speaker 1: in the can and can go, but several of them aren't. 396 00:21:39,720 --> 00:21:41,840 Speaker 1: So I want to know, you know, with the ongoing strikes, 397 00:21:42,200 --> 00:21:44,040 Speaker 1: how soon you all feel like you need to go 398 00:21:44,080 --> 00:21:46,520 Speaker 1: back into production to be able to hit a mid 399 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:48,919 Speaker 1: season target for some of those and how soon you 400 00:21:48,960 --> 00:21:51,439 Speaker 1: need to rethink those being part of that grouping. 401 00:21:52,520 --> 00:21:56,679 Speaker 3: We're we're in really really good shape. The strike impact 402 00:21:56,680 --> 00:22:00,560 Speaker 3: that shows for us All American, All American Homecoming, Walker, 403 00:22:00,720 --> 00:22:04,640 Speaker 3: Superman and Lois Librarians, which we announced at the upfront. 404 00:22:05,320 --> 00:22:07,280 Speaker 3: Those shows are all you know, waiting for the strike 405 00:22:07,320 --> 00:22:10,840 Speaker 3: to end. But you know, we have a ton of 406 00:22:11,080 --> 00:22:14,280 Speaker 3: scripted content that is out there, co productions that that 407 00:22:14,320 --> 00:22:17,639 Speaker 3: are that is our in production. That show Joan that 408 00:22:17,680 --> 00:22:19,840 Speaker 3: we talked about we're really excited about. That's a co 409 00:22:19,880 --> 00:22:23,479 Speaker 3: production with the UK that Sophie Turner is starting in. 410 00:22:23,520 --> 00:22:26,440 Speaker 3: That show just wrapped. That's going to be an Awards 411 00:22:26,480 --> 00:22:30,119 Speaker 3: conversation piece that's just looking amazing. And then as we mentioned, 412 00:22:30,119 --> 00:22:32,680 Speaker 3: we have a ton of unscripted content that we haven't 413 00:22:32,680 --> 00:22:35,160 Speaker 3: even announced yet, but I'm sure Rob has a plan 414 00:22:35,320 --> 00:22:39,160 Speaker 3: for us to everybody know about that soon. But I mean, 415 00:22:39,280 --> 00:22:41,680 Speaker 3: I look at our Q one, I'm looking at it 416 00:22:41,760 --> 00:22:45,800 Speaker 3: right now, in our Q two, I mean we are 417 00:22:45,920 --> 00:22:48,639 Speaker 3: solid right through to kind of Q three, So I 418 00:22:48,720 --> 00:22:51,920 Speaker 3: think we're in good shape. And hopefully this strike ends 419 00:22:51,960 --> 00:22:54,520 Speaker 3: really soon and we can get into production on all 420 00:22:54,600 --> 00:22:57,760 Speaker 3: of those other amazing hit shows and have those come 421 00:22:57,800 --> 00:23:00,600 Speaker 3: in Q three Q four, and it's gonna your real 422 00:23:00,760 --> 00:23:03,560 Speaker 3: solid year for the CW. I mean, we have new 423 00:23:03,600 --> 00:23:05,720 Speaker 3: seasons of Son of a Critch, new seasons of Children 424 00:23:05,880 --> 00:23:08,040 Speaker 3: and Everything, new seasons of Run the Verbs, new seasons 425 00:23:08,080 --> 00:23:11,000 Speaker 3: of Family Law and Family Law. Last week just on 426 00:23:11,040 --> 00:23:14,840 Speaker 3: a Friday night, just killed it and then a ton 427 00:23:14,920 --> 00:23:17,680 Speaker 3: of unscripted stuff that, as I said, we'll be announcing 428 00:23:17,680 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 3: here momentarily, but we're we're in really good shape and 429 00:23:22,119 --> 00:23:25,240 Speaker 3: we will maintain that kind of fifty to fifty scripted 430 00:23:25,320 --> 00:23:30,280 Speaker 3: unscripted plus sports well into halfway through twenty twenty four 431 00:23:30,320 --> 00:23:31,800 Speaker 3: without any problem. 432 00:23:32,080 --> 00:23:34,600 Speaker 1: So do you see, like, have you made multiple plans 433 00:23:34,600 --> 00:23:37,080 Speaker 1: for what misseason click look at? Is there any chance 434 00:23:37,160 --> 00:23:39,240 Speaker 1: that you couldn't make those dates you think if there 435 00:23:39,320 --> 00:23:41,600 Speaker 1: was that happening, or are you really looking at these 436 00:23:41,920 --> 00:23:44,800 Speaker 1: new unscripted shows biling that. 437 00:23:45,800 --> 00:23:48,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, I think we have a schedule that is set 438 00:23:48,680 --> 00:23:51,840 Speaker 3: through Q two of twenty twenty four, so halfway through 439 00:23:51,880 --> 00:23:54,800 Speaker 3: twenty twenty four, I think we're pretty solid, and you'll 440 00:23:54,840 --> 00:23:58,120 Speaker 3: be seeing those announcements coming soon and then hopefully all 441 00:23:58,119 --> 00:24:00,520 Speaker 3: the great and you know, hopefully the strike end and 442 00:24:00,600 --> 00:24:02,919 Speaker 3: everyone can get back to work on these shows that 443 00:24:03,000 --> 00:24:05,800 Speaker 3: we're also really excited about. And if those can come 444 00:24:05,840 --> 00:24:08,520 Speaker 3: in the second half of next year, I think it's 445 00:24:08,520 --> 00:24:10,720 Speaker 3: going to be, as I said, a really wonderful year. 446 00:24:12,400 --> 00:24:15,359 Speaker 1: Dennis. Do you see the Direct TV blackout if it 447 00:24:15,400 --> 00:24:19,640 Speaker 1: continues to go through on next next our stations into September, 448 00:24:19,960 --> 00:24:23,480 Speaker 1: how much that might affect your relaunch plans and what 449 00:24:23,640 --> 00:24:25,560 Speaker 1: the wider reach of the CW looks like this fall. 450 00:24:27,200 --> 00:24:29,320 Speaker 5: It's not going to affect our relaunch plans. 451 00:24:29,440 --> 00:24:33,320 Speaker 4: We're hopeful that it gets concluded by around Labor Day here, 452 00:24:33,480 --> 00:24:37,199 Speaker 4: and these things tend to happen around the NFL season, 453 00:24:37,400 --> 00:24:41,320 Speaker 4: you know, kicking off in earnest, so we're hopeful about 454 00:24:41,320 --> 00:24:44,639 Speaker 4: that there's a good resolution for both sides here, but 455 00:24:44,680 --> 00:24:49,520 Speaker 4: we have no plans to alter the kickoff of our 456 00:24:49,960 --> 00:24:54,480 Speaker 4: fall schedule. It tends to impact you know, all stations, 457 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,960 Speaker 4: all ratings at about thirteen to fourteen percent of you know, 458 00:24:58,000 --> 00:25:02,159 Speaker 4: your normally delivered on bians. But I think you know, 459 00:25:02,240 --> 00:25:05,920 Speaker 4: reasonable heads will prevail and we'll all be back in business, 460 00:25:06,080 --> 00:25:07,000 Speaker 4: you know, come Labor Day. 461 00:25:08,720 --> 00:25:12,359 Speaker 1: As you mentioned, some assets conversation going around in the 462 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:14,280 Speaker 1: whole environment right now. I know this came up on 463 00:25:14,320 --> 00:25:16,879 Speaker 1: the earnings call and Perry was asked about it. But 464 00:25:16,960 --> 00:25:19,440 Speaker 1: the chance that nextar could be looked at and seen 465 00:25:19,480 --> 00:25:23,280 Speaker 1: as a potential buyer for ABC or CBS. What conversations 466 00:25:23,320 --> 00:25:25,400 Speaker 1: like that out there in the media make you all 467 00:25:25,440 --> 00:25:28,439 Speaker 1: think about when the CW is what you're focused on 468 00:25:28,720 --> 00:25:31,439 Speaker 1: and what next ours said they are focused on. 469 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:35,320 Speaker 4: Look, I think that the nice thing is is that 470 00:25:35,560 --> 00:25:41,760 Speaker 4: we're in a very enviable situation because unlike our peers, 471 00:25:41,920 --> 00:25:44,360 Speaker 4: we have you know where we have very low leverage, 472 00:25:44,880 --> 00:25:47,600 Speaker 4: we have you know, really good cash flow, we have 473 00:25:47,640 --> 00:25:51,280 Speaker 4: a really good margin business. We're not in streaming, which 474 00:25:51,359 --> 00:25:53,800 Speaker 4: is a great advantage. Who would have thought, but it 475 00:25:53,840 --> 00:25:57,240 Speaker 4: seems to be a great advantage for your cash flow 476 00:25:57,320 --> 00:25:59,960 Speaker 4: balance sheet. We're heading into what is going to be 477 00:26:00,200 --> 00:26:04,119 Speaker 4: a tumultuous, loud political year, which is always a boon 478 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:07,639 Speaker 4: for local broadcasts. So uh, and we have a you know, 479 00:26:07,720 --> 00:26:12,240 Speaker 4: a great mix of Fox, ABC, NBC, CBS, and CW station. 480 00:26:12,520 --> 00:26:17,320 Speaker 4: So I like our you know, uh, our situation as 481 00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:19,760 Speaker 4: it is. And as we're heading into after what has 482 00:26:19,800 --> 00:26:24,560 Speaker 4: been you know, bumpy and challenging for everybody, are you know, 483 00:26:24,600 --> 00:26:27,400 Speaker 4: our other peers have announced that they're going to probably 484 00:26:27,440 --> 00:26:32,480 Speaker 4: need to make strategic moves with their assets. And I think, 485 00:26:32,600 --> 00:26:35,880 Speaker 4: you know, when we recently Perry recently hired Mike Beard 486 00:26:35,920 --> 00:26:39,000 Speaker 4: from Fox who's had a front row seat for all 487 00:26:39,040 --> 00:26:42,040 Speaker 4: of the you know, accomplishments and building that has gone 488 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:43,760 Speaker 4: on at Fox, and it will be the new. 489 00:26:43,600 --> 00:26:46,040 Speaker 5: President CEO starting early next week. 490 00:26:46,119 --> 00:26:49,359 Speaker 4: So uh, I think we're we're in a really good 491 00:26:49,400 --> 00:26:53,480 Speaker 4: situation to look at everything that comes our way and 492 00:26:54,160 --> 00:26:57,280 Speaker 4: continue to figure out, Hey, what's the best alignment of assets, 493 00:26:57,400 --> 00:26:58,439 Speaker 4: you know, going forward here? 494 00:27:00,280 --> 00:27:03,080 Speaker 1: So I know Dennis has extended his contract, Brott, are 495 00:27:03,119 --> 00:27:05,440 Speaker 1: you staying with us for the foreseeable future? 496 00:27:05,800 --> 00:27:09,000 Speaker 4: This is his last stagey, It's really a real point. 497 00:27:10,520 --> 00:27:12,840 Speaker 4: But this is a wonderful, wonderful way to go out. 498 00:27:17,520 --> 00:27:19,439 Speaker 6: Oh am, I supposed to answer that question, yes, you're 499 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:23,199 Speaker 6: to question. Yes, I've I've never had more fun in 500 00:27:23,240 --> 00:27:26,560 Speaker 6: my career. This is This has been absolutely thrilling. Like 501 00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:28,160 Speaker 6: I think we've assembled a hell of a team. 502 00:27:28,240 --> 00:27:31,480 Speaker 3: We already talked about Ashley Hovey and she's a genius 503 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,840 Speaker 3: and an incredible executive. And Chris Pattuccini was the former 504 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:39,360 Speaker 3: CMO of HBO, is now running marketing for US and 505 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:42,680 Speaker 3: an amazing you had a BA and Tom Martin who 506 00:27:43,240 --> 00:27:46,480 Speaker 3: worked for Katzenberg and worked for NBC. And Heather Olander 507 00:27:46,800 --> 00:27:49,960 Speaker 3: is a superstar and one of the greatest unscripted executives 508 00:27:49,960 --> 00:27:52,639 Speaker 3: in the entire industry. And Liz Wise, who runs our 509 00:27:52,680 --> 00:27:55,280 Speaker 3: scripted team, who has done both current and scripted for 510 00:27:55,400 --> 00:27:57,680 Speaker 3: some of the biggest CW scripted hits of all time 511 00:27:58,080 --> 00:28:00,600 Speaker 3: is running our scripted team. It's just it's a really 512 00:28:00,640 --> 00:28:05,639 Speaker 3: amazing team that Dennis and I have been able to assemble. 513 00:28:07,280 --> 00:28:10,119 Speaker 3: And I love it, and you know, I'll hitch my 514 00:28:10,160 --> 00:28:12,159 Speaker 3: wagon to Dennis and just we'll keep rolling. 515 00:28:13,600 --> 00:28:15,320 Speaker 5: Yeah, Jenny, we are a team. 516 00:28:15,359 --> 00:28:18,760 Speaker 4: We've been a team before, and I couldn't do the 517 00:28:18,840 --> 00:28:21,639 Speaker 4: things that I like to do without somebody with Brad's 518 00:28:21,640 --> 00:28:25,480 Speaker 4: skill set and capabilities, you know, managing the day to 519 00:28:25,560 --> 00:28:29,400 Speaker 4: day and his programming and marketing instincts. And I get 520 00:28:29,440 --> 00:28:31,679 Speaker 4: to spend some time thinking about, you know, where we 521 00:28:31,760 --> 00:28:34,320 Speaker 4: go from here and deal with some of the larger 522 00:28:34,400 --> 00:28:37,440 Speaker 4: kind of business you know, dynamics here. So we found 523 00:28:37,440 --> 00:28:39,240 Speaker 4: the right yin and yang. I feel very blessed to 524 00:28:39,240 --> 00:28:40,280 Speaker 4: have Brad as my partner. 525 00:28:40,840 --> 00:28:42,920 Speaker 1: Brad, I know we had already talked about and I 526 00:28:42,920 --> 00:28:46,560 Speaker 1: was pretty excited to hear. With Sullivan's crossing coming, there's 527 00:28:46,600 --> 00:28:50,080 Speaker 1: that old CW connection with Chad, Michael Murray and Scott 528 00:28:50,120 --> 00:28:52,960 Speaker 1: Patterson being in that series and then you all picking 529 00:28:53,080 --> 00:28:56,000 Speaker 1: up the Librarians. There's these touch points and then obviously 530 00:28:56,040 --> 00:28:58,360 Speaker 1: the shows that you did were new and so I 531 00:28:58,400 --> 00:29:00,880 Speaker 1: want to know, you know, with the straight being looming there, 532 00:29:00,920 --> 00:29:03,080 Speaker 1: if there are other ways that you're trying to find 533 00:29:03,160 --> 00:29:07,360 Speaker 1: to keep that running through to mid season two next 534 00:29:07,840 --> 00:29:10,200 Speaker 1: spring and stuff with that still being a question mark, 535 00:29:10,240 --> 00:29:12,560 Speaker 1: are there other acquisitions you're looking at other ways to 536 00:29:12,640 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 1: have those little ties. 537 00:29:15,800 --> 00:29:19,040 Speaker 3: Look, we don't want to alienate an audience that we 538 00:29:19,080 --> 00:29:22,360 Speaker 3: spent twenty years cultivating. It just can't be the only 539 00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:24,760 Speaker 3: thing we do, right. It can be like one of 540 00:29:24,800 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 3: five things that we do. We are currently in production 541 00:29:28,360 --> 00:29:31,120 Speaker 3: on a scripted series that may or may not have 542 00:29:31,160 --> 00:29:36,479 Speaker 3: a star from Riverdale, so little touch points like that 543 00:29:36,640 --> 00:29:38,840 Speaker 3: are always in the back of our minds when we 544 00:29:38,880 --> 00:29:42,360 Speaker 3: make casting decisions. How can we you know, maybe have 545 00:29:42,400 --> 00:29:45,200 Speaker 3: a little bit of a nod uh to uh to 546 00:29:45,200 --> 00:29:48,840 Speaker 3: to the old CW. But but it's certainly you know, 547 00:29:49,000 --> 00:29:52,680 Speaker 3: one of five things. As I said, there are some 548 00:29:52,720 --> 00:29:55,480 Speaker 3: comedies that I'm that are coming that I feel harkened 549 00:29:55,480 --> 00:29:59,160 Speaker 3: back to those early days of maybe those amazing African 550 00:29:59,160 --> 00:30:01,360 Speaker 3: American comedy that used to do, you know, be on 551 00:30:01,400 --> 00:30:05,000 Speaker 3: the old upn and so I think there will always 552 00:30:05,000 --> 00:30:06,840 Speaker 3: be a little bit of that. And of course we 553 00:30:06,920 --> 00:30:11,160 Speaker 3: have four huge shows coming back from the CW. So yeah, 554 00:30:11,160 --> 00:30:12,560 Speaker 3: We always had that in the back of our mind 555 00:30:14,120 --> 00:30:16,959 Speaker 3: to play in some of the places we've been successful 556 00:30:17,280 --> 00:30:19,400 Speaker 3: as we look to grow into new places at the 557 00:30:19,400 --> 00:30:19,880 Speaker 3: same time. 558 00:30:21,400 --> 00:30:23,239 Speaker 1: And then my last one is for both of you, 559 00:30:23,320 --> 00:30:25,960 Speaker 1: which is I really did think it was very accurate 560 00:30:26,040 --> 00:30:29,600 Speaker 1: to describe the CW, the upcoming CW as looking more 561 00:30:29,640 --> 00:30:32,280 Speaker 1: and more like Fox, and even more so behind the 562 00:30:32,280 --> 00:30:35,360 Speaker 1: scenes with all of your recent hires, one being very 563 00:30:35,440 --> 00:30:38,680 Speaker 1: much from Fox. But the level and the caliber you 564 00:30:38,800 --> 00:30:41,960 Speaker 1: all yourselves of what the CW has right now. I 565 00:30:42,000 --> 00:30:45,440 Speaker 1: want to if you all see the industry looking at 566 00:30:45,480 --> 00:30:48,480 Speaker 1: you that way, yet, even if the schedule proves that way, 567 00:30:48,520 --> 00:30:50,960 Speaker 1: if you've seen your reputation the way the CW is 568 00:30:50,960 --> 00:30:54,160 Speaker 1: seen right now, do you see yourselves at that level 569 00:30:54,760 --> 00:30:57,440 Speaker 1: with who you're talking to and how those conversations go. 570 00:30:57,480 --> 00:30:58,800 Speaker 1: Where do you feel like you still have a ways 571 00:30:58,800 --> 00:31:02,080 Speaker 1: to go before other people catch up with their opinion 572 00:31:02,120 --> 00:31:02,680 Speaker 1: of the CW. 573 00:31:04,680 --> 00:31:07,520 Speaker 4: I would say, we you know, we are, we got 574 00:31:07,520 --> 00:31:10,640 Speaker 4: a ways to go. We're just getting started. Purchase was 575 00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:14,000 Speaker 4: in October, most of the team joining first of the year, 576 00:31:15,080 --> 00:31:18,479 Speaker 4: just sports just coming on to the network. Uh, you know, 577 00:31:18,560 --> 00:31:22,440 Speaker 4: it took obviously Fox a number of years before the 578 00:31:22,440 --> 00:31:25,920 Speaker 4: they developed some really cool alternative shows, and then Rupert 579 00:31:25,920 --> 00:31:28,480 Speaker 4: had the brilliant idea of which he was you know, 580 00:31:28,560 --> 00:31:31,200 Speaker 4: questioned about, to bring the NFL to Fox, and that. 581 00:31:31,160 --> 00:31:34,280 Speaker 5: Really took it to a whole other level. So, you know, 582 00:31:34,320 --> 00:31:35,560 Speaker 5: we're just getting started. 583 00:31:35,640 --> 00:31:38,280 Speaker 4: I think we know some things are hopefully some things 584 00:31:38,320 --> 00:31:39,760 Speaker 4: are going to work, and a lot of things are 585 00:31:39,800 --> 00:31:41,680 Speaker 4: not going to work, and we're going to fail fast 586 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:44,520 Speaker 4: and then put on things that work. But no, we've 587 00:31:44,520 --> 00:31:47,360 Speaker 4: got we got work to do. We've got a long 588 00:31:47,400 --> 00:31:49,960 Speaker 4: standing tradition that we want to, as Brad said, be 589 00:31:50,000 --> 00:31:53,800 Speaker 4: sensitive to, but now kind of build on. We're gonna, 590 00:31:53,920 --> 00:31:56,400 Speaker 4: you know, I think hopefully have the benefit of seeing 591 00:31:56,440 --> 00:31:58,920 Speaker 4: what some of our you know, competitors are doing and 592 00:31:58,960 --> 00:31:59,840 Speaker 4: what's working or not. 593 00:32:00,480 --> 00:32:02,760 Speaker 5: We're realigning the stations in a way. 594 00:32:02,600 --> 00:32:05,440 Speaker 4: Where we have the best kind of distribution architecture out 595 00:32:05,440 --> 00:32:08,600 Speaker 4: there and put the best people in place. But we 596 00:32:08,720 --> 00:32:11,520 Speaker 4: know this is a you know, this is a half marathon, 597 00:32:11,600 --> 00:32:14,000 Speaker 4: it's not a sprint, so we've got to you know, 598 00:32:14,040 --> 00:32:16,520 Speaker 4: we're just we're just getting up to the starting line 599 00:32:16,520 --> 00:32:17,560 Speaker 4: and get ready to go. 600 00:32:17,600 --> 00:32:19,000 Speaker 5: But we have we have a lot of work to do. 601 00:32:21,160 --> 00:32:23,680 Speaker 3: It's it's execution time now. You know, we've laid out 602 00:32:23,680 --> 00:32:26,560 Speaker 3: some plans for Phase one and it really is just 603 00:32:26,680 --> 00:32:29,360 Speaker 3: a phase one and now it's now it's a go 604 00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:31,800 Speaker 3: to prove it. Now, let's go execute, and we have 605 00:32:31,840 --> 00:32:34,360 Speaker 3: the right team to do it. And after phase one 606 00:32:34,760 --> 00:32:38,520 Speaker 3: we'll get more into homegrown development, we'll get our digital strategy, 607 00:32:38,720 --> 00:32:41,160 Speaker 3: you know, rolling, and it's the right team to do it. 608 00:32:41,320 --> 00:32:45,720 Speaker 3: And it's a really exciting, exciting time now and looking 609 00:32:45,760 --> 00:32:46,520 Speaker 3: forward to the future. 610 00:32:47,280 --> 00:32:49,400 Speaker 1: How many phases do we have plotted out right now? 611 00:32:50,440 --> 00:32:51,080 Speaker 3: Thirty eight? 612 00:32:51,400 --> 00:32:56,560 Speaker 1: Thirty eight, Oh no, well ahead of Marvel's just really 613 00:32:56,720 --> 00:33:00,880 Speaker 1: up long term. Well, it's always are speaking to you guys. 614 00:33:00,880 --> 00:33:03,400 Speaker 1: Thank you so much for giving me this much time today. 615 00:33:03,440 --> 00:33:11,280 Speaker 1: I appreciate it. Thank you for joining us for this 616 00:33:11,320 --> 00:33:14,360 Speaker 1: week's episode of Variety Strictly Business. You can find new 617 00:33:14,400 --> 00:33:16,440 Speaker 1: episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts.