Area UPN affiliate becoming part of new network in fall

Cape Girardeau's local UPN network affiliate is slated later this year to become an affiliate for the newly formed CW network.

At the beginning of the 2006-2007 television season, WQWQ-TV, currently known as "UPN The Beat," will become a CW television network affiliate, according to a news release from KFVS12, the sister station of WQWQ.

The CW will launch this fall as a merger between the UPN Network and The WB. Early this year, CBS, which owns UPN, and Warner Brothers Entertainment, which owns The WB, announced the formation of The CW, according to the release. Each company will own 50 percent of the new network.

"We're thrilled that WQWQ will be a new CW affiliate," WQWQ and KFVS12 vice president and general manager Mike Smythe said in the release. "We understand that it will combine the best of the former UPN and The WB networks, and promises to add some exciting additional programming this fall."

The CW will incorporate the current scheduling model of The WB, with 30 hours each week over seven days for their affiliates, according to the release.

That model is 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, and a five-hour Saturday morning animation block.

Monday through Friday With WQWQ becoming a CW station, the new network has clearance in more than 79 percent of the United States, including 19 of the top 20 markets, the release stated.

"We'll work hard this summer to rebrand WQWQ and make sure all of our viewers know how to watch it," Smythe said of new affiliate.

kmorrison@semissourian.com

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