Angel

The WB has renewed six of its series for next season - but unfortunately, Angel isn’t one of them. Charmed, Gilmore Girls, Everwood, Smallville and Reba have been picked up for the 2003-04 season, while Monday-night staple 7th Heaven received a two-year green light. The network is expected to make a decision on Angel, arguably the WB’s best show, in May.

WB Picks Up Six Series Tue, Mar 25, 2003 01:02 PM PDT

LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - The WB’s 2003-04 schedule likely won’t look much different from its 2002-03 lineup.

The network, which is working on the best season in its eight-year history, has picked up six of its current series for next season. Family drama "7th Heaven" got a two-year order, extending its run through 2005.

The other shows assured of returning next season are "Everwood, "Gilmore Girls," "Smallville," "Reba" and "Charmed."

Assuming no series moves from its current timeslot, The WB will have a returning series on four of the six nights that it broadcasts. It’s a point network executives will surely stress to advertisers in selling up-front ad positions later this spring.

"The long-term stability of scripted programming creates the foundation for any successful entertainment network," WB Entertainment President Jordan Levin says. "These renewals represent a blend of newcomers and veteran shows that continue to attract loyal audiences."

The network has also ordered second editions of its unscripted shows "High School Reunion" and "The Surreal Life."

"Smallville and "7th Heaven" have traded spots as The WB’s most-watched series this season. The young-Superman drama is averaging about 7.3 million viewers a week, while "7th Heaven" is close behind at 7.1 million viewers. The other renewed shows bring audiences ranging from 4.7 million to 5.7 million people each week.

Missing from the pickup list are WB stalwarts "Angel" and "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch."

The network’s contract with 20th Century Fox, which produces "Angel," is up after this season and would have to be renegotiated.

"Grounded for Life" and freshman comedies "What I Like about You" and "Greetings from Tucson" are also on the bubble.

The WB Renews Six Scripted Series By Brian Ford Sullivan

CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) — As its strongest season to date draws to a close, the WB is looking forward to the 2003-04 season, renewing six of its most successful series:

7th Heaven: The Frog has signed a two-season renewal of the Aaron Spelling produced series, ensuring the drama will be on the network’s schedule through the 2004-05 season. As part of the deal, the WB will increase its license fee for the series so that it completely covers the costs of production. Creator/executive producer Brenda Hampton has also been locked in for the duration of the pact. To date this season "Heaven" is averaging a 2.7/8 among adults 18-43, a 4% increase vs. last year. It also remains the top drama on TV with female teens, averaging a 6.1/18 in the demo.

Charmed: The network’s other Spelling produced series has also been given a green light for the 2003-04 season. Its move to Sunday nights has been nothing but positive news for the WB as the network is up 92% among adults 18-34 vs. last season’s Sunday numbers.

Reba: The WB’s most successful comedy will return for a third season this fall under new showrunner Kevin Abbott. The series is up an astonishing 20% in adults 18-34 vs. last season.

Smallville: A breakout success this season, the young Superman series will return for the 2003-04 season. The series regularly gives the Big Four networks a scare in younger demos in its Tuesday, 9:00/8:00c home.

Everwood: Proving to be "7th Heaven’s" best companion to date, the Frog will go forward with a second season of the drama. To date the series has retained over 75% of "Heaven’s" audience on average.

Gilmore Girls: With growing ratings and a spin-off in the works, it’s no surprise the Gilmore clan will return for a fourth season this fall.

The six series join the previously renewed reality series "High School Reunion" and "The Surreal Life" for the WB’s 2003-04 schedule.