The CW will expand its schedule to 6 nights starting this fall

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Good news, everyone! Your Sunday night viewing schedule is about to become more diverse, as The CW has just announced that they'll be airing original programs on Sunday nights, expanding their current schedule to six nights a week as opposed to five.

The change will be set into motion beginning in the fall, in a move that will provide the network with some much needed space after ordering a record nine pilots for the forthcoming TV season. For those of us who are old enough to recall, The CW used to dominate television's Sunday night schedule with hit shows like 7TH HEAVEN and CHARMED, until the failed series LIFE IS WILD contributed to the end of the network's Sunday slate. Before relinquishing the night to other channels, The CW ran a series of films and reruns to occupy the slot, but eventually gave up the ghost as a need to re-access their place in the race for televised entertainment became necessary.

In talking about the expansion, CW president Mark Pedowitz stated, “By expanding to six nights, The CW is now able to give our fans even more of the series they’re so passionate about. Broadcasting remains the foundation of our multi-platform approach to bringing our programming to viewers. Over the past seven years, The CW has added more than 80 hours of original scripted programming to its schedule – now that number can continue to climb, as we grow our broadcast lineup, and continue to add content on every platform.”

Pedowitz also copped to the fact that the desire to expand The CW's programming schedule has been a topic among network executives since his 2011 arrival. In recent times, The CW has seen tremendous growth thanks to DC superhero-related shows like ARROW, THE FLASH, LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, SUPERGIRL, and BLACK LIGHTNING. The success of those programs (as well as others) has edged the network into a near 50/50 balance of shows featuring a female lead.

How The CW plans to fill the Sunday time slot remains to be seen, though we wouldn't be surprised it the network's CHARMED reboot resumes its original end-of-the-weekend spot alongside whatever else is planned for the menu. After all, networks have got to do something in order to stay relevant in a time where streaming giants the likes of Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon rule the roost.