Exclusive: Faced with their first decision on ordering more of the CW’s existing scripted series, the network’s new Nexstar owners opted against it. I hear there will be no back orders for the CW’s new fall series Walker: Independence, from CBS Studios, and The Winchesters, from Warner Bros. Television, whose freshman seasons will remain at the original 13 episodes.
I hear the same would apply to all CW freshman series and that the network’s head, Dennis Miller, stressed to producers and talent that no decisions about next season have been made, indicating that the lack of back orders does not mean cancellations.
Still, the decision further underlines Nexstar’s push to cut costs, including moving toward more. unscripted and cheaper scripted programming. Four CW scripted series are ending this season, The Flash, Riverdale, Nancy Drew and Stargirl. The list is expected to grow as the season progresses.
I hear the same would apply to all CW freshman series and that the network’s head, Dennis Miller, stressed to producers and talent that no decisions about next season have been made, indicating that the lack of back orders does not mean cancellations.
Still, the decision further underlines Nexstar’s push to cut costs, including moving toward more. unscripted and cheaper scripted programming. Four CW scripted series are ending this season, The Flash, Riverdale, Nancy Drew and Stargirl. The list is expected to grow as the season progresses.
- 11/1/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Roughly 30-40 employees of The CW were laid off on Tuesday by new owner Nexstar Media, IndieWire has learned.
The move is the first large scale overhaul at the CW after Nexstar, the largest television-station owner in the United States, took control of the channel’s operation on October 3. Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global, The CW’s previous owners, sold a majority of their unprofitable joint venture to Nexstar in June.
Among those laid off on Tuesday were Paul Hewitt, the CW communications chief since it formed from the merger of Upn with The WB in 2006. In his place, Beth Feldman has been named SVP of Network Communications, taking on the role in addition to her current duties as Nexstar’s executive director of communication, Networks division.
“For the past 20 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to have played a role, albeit a small one, in helping shape, influence...
The move is the first large scale overhaul at the CW after Nexstar, the largest television-station owner in the United States, took control of the channel’s operation on October 3. Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount Global, The CW’s previous owners, sold a majority of their unprofitable joint venture to Nexstar in June.
Among those laid off on Tuesday were Paul Hewitt, the CW communications chief since it formed from the merger of Upn with The WB in 2006. In his place, Beth Feldman has been named SVP of Network Communications, taking on the role in addition to her current duties as Nexstar’s executive director of communication, Networks division.
“For the past 20 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to have played a role, albeit a small one, in helping shape, influence...
- 11/1/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
Less than a month after Nexstar Media closed a deal to take 75 ownership of The CW, the broadcast network has been hit with dozens of layoffs.
The exact number of departures is still becoming clear, but one person with knowledge of the situation pegged it at about 30 to 40. While Nexstar is known for local stations, the company also operates NewsNation, which it overhauled and reformatted from its prior incarnation, WGN America, after acquiring Tribune Media in 2019. The lower cost profile of news programming, a distinctly different neighborhood from the scripted fare that briefly was Wgna’s specialty, was the driving motivation of the makeover.
Related Story The CW’s Paul Hewitt Leaves After 22 Years; Beth Feldman Takes Comms Role As Layoffs Kick In Related Story The CW Floats 1M An Episode License Fee For Drama Series As Studios Wait For Clarity On New Business Model Related Story 'The Winchesters' & '...
The exact number of departures is still becoming clear, but one person with knowledge of the situation pegged it at about 30 to 40. While Nexstar is known for local stations, the company also operates NewsNation, which it overhauled and reformatted from its prior incarnation, WGN America, after acquiring Tribune Media in 2019. The lower cost profile of news programming, a distinctly different neighborhood from the scripted fare that briefly was Wgna’s specialty, was the driving motivation of the makeover.
Related Story The CW’s Paul Hewitt Leaves After 22 Years; Beth Feldman Takes Comms Role As Layoffs Kick In Related Story The CW Floats 1M An Episode License Fee For Drama Series As Studios Wait For Clarity On New Business Model Related Story 'The Winchesters' & '...
- 11/1/2022
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
PR chief Paul Hewitt has exited the CW after 22 years amid dozens of layoffs at the network, an individual with knowledge confirmed to TheWrap.
Beth Feldman, a former partner at Beyond PR Group, has been tapped by Nexstar to replace Hewitt, effectively immediately.
Hewitt’s exit — and the layoffs — join a slew of sweeping changes to the network under the control of Nexstar, most notably replacing CW CEO Mark Pedowitz with current president Dennis Miller, a former board member.
Beginning his career at Fox Entertainment’s research and marketing department, Hewitt worked his way up to the network’s senior vice president of network communication, overseeing all communications strategies, media relations and internal communications. The publicity executive worked at Upn when the company merged with The WB Network in 2006, and oversaw the launch of The CW as the vice president of corporate communications.
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Beth Feldman, a former partner at Beyond PR Group, has been tapped by Nexstar to replace Hewitt, effectively immediately.
Hewitt’s exit — and the layoffs — join a slew of sweeping changes to the network under the control of Nexstar, most notably replacing CW CEO Mark Pedowitz with current president Dennis Miller, a former board member.
Beginning his career at Fox Entertainment’s research and marketing department, Hewitt worked his way up to the network’s senior vice president of network communication, overseeing all communications strategies, media relations and internal communications. The publicity executive worked at Upn when the company merged with The WB Network in 2006, and oversaw the launch of The CW as the vice president of corporate communications.
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YouTube to Resell Subscriptions to Streaming Platforms Including Paramount+,...
- 11/1/2022
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Paul Hewitt is the latest long-term exec leaving The CW. The veteran comms exec is leaving after 22 years and will be replaced by Beth Feldman as SVP Network Communications.
Related Story The CW Is Hit With Dozens Of Layoffs As Nexstar Plots More Frugal Course For Broadcast Network Related Story The CW Floats 1M An Episode License Fee For Drama Series As Studios Wait For Clarity On New Business Model Related Story 'The Winchesters' & 'Walker: Independence' Get No Back Orders As CW Cutbacks Continue, No Decision On Season 2
The move comes as The CW has laid off a significant number of staff, which was not a surprise since local TV group Nexstar acquired a majority stake in the broadcaster. Streaming and branding chief Rick Haskins and ad chief Mitch Nedick also recently left alongside longtime CW Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz, who was replaced by Dennis Miller.
Feldman...
Related Story The CW Is Hit With Dozens Of Layoffs As Nexstar Plots More Frugal Course For Broadcast Network Related Story The CW Floats 1M An Episode License Fee For Drama Series As Studios Wait For Clarity On New Business Model Related Story 'The Winchesters' & 'Walker: Independence' Get No Back Orders As CW Cutbacks Continue, No Decision On Season 2
The move comes as The CW has laid off a significant number of staff, which was not a surprise since local TV group Nexstar acquired a majority stake in the broadcaster. Streaming and branding chief Rick Haskins and ad chief Mitch Nedick also recently left alongside longtime CW Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz, who was replaced by Dennis Miller.
Feldman...
- 11/1/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Nexstar laid off between 30-40 staffers at the CW network Tuesday, marking the first sweeping staffing overhaul at the “Walker” broadcaster since it changed ownership, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Among those cuts were Paul Hewitt, the longtime CW comms chief, who has been replaced by Beth Feldman. Additionally, multiple execs in distribution, strategy and affiliate relations were let go, with Google vet Rebekah Dopp taking over those departments.
Nexstar is wasting little time revamping The CW, a plan that began with the replacement of longtime CW president Mark Pedowitz being ousted upon the close of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery’s sale of the network to Nexstar Oct. 3. Also cut in the wake of the deal were streaming and branding exec Rick Haskins and ad sales head Mitch Nedick.
Following half a year of speculation and buildup to the sale, TV station giant Nexstar has...
Among those cuts were Paul Hewitt, the longtime CW comms chief, who has been replaced by Beth Feldman. Additionally, multiple execs in distribution, strategy and affiliate relations were let go, with Google vet Rebekah Dopp taking over those departments.
Nexstar is wasting little time revamping The CW, a plan that began with the replacement of longtime CW president Mark Pedowitz being ousted upon the close of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery’s sale of the network to Nexstar Oct. 3. Also cut in the wake of the deal were streaming and branding exec Rick Haskins and ad sales head Mitch Nedick.
Following half a year of speculation and buildup to the sale, TV station giant Nexstar has...
- 11/1/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Nexstar has named Beyond PR Group partner Beth Feldman the senior vice president of network communications at The CW, replacing Paul Hewitt, the longtime comms chief at the younger-skewing broadcaster.
Feldman will oversee internal and external communication and program publicity effective immediately, taking over for Hewitt — who is leaving the network after 22 years, first at Upn before it merged with the WB to create The CW in 2006 — in the wake of Nexstar’s majority acquisition of the channel.
Hewitt’s exit comes on the heels of longtime CW president Mark Pedowitz being ousted upon the close of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery’s sale of the network to Nexstar in October.
In a statement about his exit, Hewitt said: “For the past 20 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to have played a role, albeit a small one, in helping shape, influence and even define popular culture with the series...
Feldman will oversee internal and external communication and program publicity effective immediately, taking over for Hewitt — who is leaving the network after 22 years, first at Upn before it merged with the WB to create The CW in 2006 — in the wake of Nexstar’s majority acquisition of the channel.
Hewitt’s exit comes on the heels of longtime CW president Mark Pedowitz being ousted upon the close of Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery’s sale of the network to Nexstar in October.
In a statement about his exit, Hewitt said: “For the past 20 years, I have been incredibly fortunate to have played a role, albeit a small one, in helping shape, influence and even define popular culture with the series...
- 11/1/2022
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
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