The CW has announced its 2020-2021 primetime schedule and it is proactively pushing the official start of the new season to January 2021. With filming across the world halted due to COVID-19, the delayed start of the new season should give the studios and network time to get back to work and start producing original content. The network admitted that they don’t yet know when filming for its shows will resume, but they’re building in what they hope is ample time.
“This year, The CW has made the proactive strategic decision to launch its new season in January 2021, rolling out a line-up of our signature returning series which will be joined next year by our four new series, including the return of the DC’s most iconic superhero in SUPERMAN & LOIS, the return of the Texas Rangers in WALKER, the reimagined KUNG FU and the rebellious drama THE REPUBLIC OF SARAH. And by moving our new season to January, we are stocking our fall with a balance of original and acquired scripted series and alternative programming that fits The CW brand and provides fresh programming through the fourth quarter,” said Mark Pedowitz, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The CW.
Despite the late start, expect the shows to have the usual amount of episodes, with some having 22 episodes, others having 13 episodes, etc. (which could mean fewer repeats to air).
The fourth quarter of 2020, previously the official start of the fall season, will instead consist of a mix of original and acquired scripted/alternative series, including: SWAMP THING, TELL ME A STORY, CORONER, DEAD PIXELS, PANDORA, THE OUTPOST, TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES, WORLD’S FUNNIEST ANIMALS, MASTERS OF ILLUSION, WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? and PENN & TELLER: FOOL US.
Q4 2020 will also consist of the final episodes of SUPERNATURAL, which has yet to film the final two episodes of the series. The show went on an indefinite hiatus after episode 15×13 aired at the end of March, and has seven more episodes to air, including the series finale. When Pedowitz was asked how filming would work with star Jared Padalecki to start filming for his new series WALKER, he said that as soon as they were able to, Padalecki and co-star Jensen Ackles would return to film the final episodes. He hopes that Padalecki’s transition to WALKER would be “seamless” due to the fact that the studios behind the scenes are in communication and want to make this work.
The usual CW/DC show crossover extravaganza would also be pared down this coming season, with only two hours expected to have a crossover (right now they are in discussions for SUPERMAN & LOIS and BATWOMAN to crossover). They are hoping to air it as a two-hour block on a Sunday night at the end of Q1 or the beginning of Q2 in 2021.
Pedowitz also noted that despite the fact that they aren’t on this schedule, there are still active discussions for the ARROW and THE 100 spin-offs.
The CW’s fourth quarter 2020 primetime schedule is as follows:
Monday
- 8:00 p.m. WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
- 8:30 p.m. WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY?
- 9:00 p.m. PENN & TELLER: FOOL US
Tuesday
- 8:00 p.m. SWAMP THING
9:00 p.m. TELL ME A STORY
Wednesday
- 8:00 p.m. TWO SENTENCE HORROR STORIES
- 8:30 p.m. DEAD PIXELS
- 9:00 p.m. CORONER
Thursday
- 8:00 p.m. SUPERNATURAL
- 9:00 p.m. THE OUTPOST
Friday
- 8:00 p.m. WORLD’S FUNNIEST ANIMALS
- 8:30 p.m. WORLD’S FUNNIEST ANIMALS
- 9:00 p.m. PENN & TELLER: FOOL US (Encores)
Sunday
- 8:00 p.m. MASTERS OF ILLUSION
- 8:30 p.m. MASTERS OF ILLUSION
- 9:00 p.m. PANDORA
The CW’s new primetime schedule effective January 2021 is as follows:
Monday
- 8:00 p.m. ALL AMERICAN
- 9:00 p.m. BLACK LIGHTNING
Tuesday
- 8:00 p.m. THE FLASH
- 9:00 p.m. SUPERMAN & LOIS (New Series)
Wednesday
- 8:00 p.m. RIVERDALE
- 9:00 p.m. NANCY DREW
Thursday
- 8:00 p.m. WALKER (New Series)
- 9:00 p.m. LEGACIES
Friday
- 8:00 p.m. PENN & TELLER: FOOL US (New Night)
- 9:00 p.m. WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Night)
- 9:30 p.m. WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Night)
Sunday
- 8:00 p.m. BATWOMAN
- 9:00 p.m. CHARMED (New Night)
Midseason Shows: The 2021 midseason line-up will include: KUNG FU (new series), THE REPUBLIC OF SARAH (new series), DC’s LEGENDS OF TOMORROW, DYNASTY, IN THE DARK, ROSWELL, NEW MEXICO and SUPERGIRL.