AND THE TWO SHALL BECOME ONE...

The evolution of broadcast television continues.

The WB and UPN, two networks which have been struggling for some element of success similiar to that experienced by Fox in it's short history against the older, more established networks, will become one this fall. The new venture will be known as "CW", noting the two owners --- CBS, Inc. and Warner Brothers --- which will each hold a 50 percent stake.

The Tribune Company will give up it's 22.5 percent share in The WB in exchange for a ten year affiliation agreement to air the new network's programming on 16 of it's stations. CW will draw on some of the more successful and/or promising programming from both UPN and The WB.

The WB and UPN have had some successes in their time. UPN boasts "WWE: Smackdown", "Everybody Hates Chris", and "Veronica Mars", while The WB features "Smallville", "Supernatrual", and "Everwood". Much of their ratings hits have been for shows that appeal primarily to a young, mainly minority (read: African-American) audience, which is generally considered more "hip", and thus valuable to advertisers.

In the Tampa Bay area, the new network will be aired by WTOG-TV 44, which is owned by CBS, Inc. Left out in the cold is the WB's current affiliate, WTTA-TV 38.