Then again, they did say that Birds of Prey next week was the "Season" finale, so maybe they are putting that on to see how it does during sweeps in its old timeslot? Or maybe they figure that since its the end, it will draw well since fans will be sure to want to catch it? Given that Birds of Prey wasn't on the bubble (it was popped), and now its looking like it might even come back, the only thing I wholehartedly agree with is that nothing is ever a surefire bet.
This is the sweeps period. This is where you want to have your best shows on display. This is the time you have no reruns. You put your best ratings performers out there. I'm saying that the fact that they apparently don't think that Angel is going to be one of those strong rating performers, choosing to go with a cancelled series instead, doesn't exactly show strong faith in the show and its ability to perform well in the ratings.
If this was after the sweeps period, and they did the exact same thing, it wouldn't be anything (because they either show a rerun of Angel, or they can show a new Birds of Prey, may as well use the new show in the can). It's the fact that it is sweeps that is the major deal, at least in my mind.
The WB actually will pull decent shows on their underperforming nights during sweeps. Gilmore Girls was yanked for February 2001 when it still aired opposite Friends, for example. Yeah, it is a bad sign, but there's precedent for the Frog renewing what it didn't have confidence in earlier. The WB seems to keep in mind more than other networks that factors other than the quality of a show help determine ratings.
Originally posted by ges7184Nothing is ever a sure bet with minor networks like WB. I mean, at the end of the day, they don't have any sure-fire ratings winners, so a lot of it will probably depend on how many new shows the WB wants to try to plug in.
Actually, I'd call The WB's lineup the most stable on television right now, retention-wise; I think the other five networks will shake things up far more (save perhaps CBS.) Considering their lack of respect and pathetic penetration and affiliate lineup they get awesome numbers on Monday and Tuesday, and Wednesday and Sunday are respectable. You're right about the "new shows...plug in" thing; as I've said they'll have a few hours open, and it'll matter whether or not they trust what they've developed more than what they want to bring back.