# And Then There Were Five: UPN, WB to Merge **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 24, 2006, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411 "2006-01-24T17:08:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 2:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/21 "2006-01-25T14:07:34Z")
okay - waitaminute - CBS _owns_ UPN? That means they have two stations in the same market - all over the country. Where’s the FCC ruling in all this? And you young’uns may not remember that (along with many if not all other WBs, UPNs and FOXs) 9 (WWOR) and 11 (WPIX) and even 5 (WNEW/WNYW) were once independants, playing nothing but old movies, cheesy game shows, and I Love Lucy all freakin’ day long. ---
**Author:** ![Trion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ccd318/32.png) [@Trion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trion)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/22 "2006-01-25T14:21:25Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > And you young’uns may not remember that (along with many if not all other WBs, UPNs and FOXs) 9 (WWOR) and 11 (WPIX) and even 5 (WNEW/WNYW) were once independants, playing nothing but old movies, cheesy game shows, and I Love Lucy all freakin’ day long. Ha. I remember when kids would call in to WPIX after school and play Atari video games over the phone to win prizes. They should bring that back. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/23 "2006-01-25T14:56:58Z")
> [@anyrose](#): > > okay - waitaminute - CBS _owns_ UPN? That means they have two stations in the same market - all over the country. Where’s the FCC ruling in all this? > And you young’uns may not remember that (along with many if not all other WBs, UPNs and FOXs) 9 (WWOR) and 11 (WPIX) and even 5 (WNEW/WNYW) were once independants, playing nothing but old movies, cheesy game shows, and I Love Lucy all freakin’ day long. Hey WPIX brought me Star Trek and Yankees. It was way better than the Networks. BTW you forgot Merv Griffin every night in prime time on channel 5 WNEW. Jim ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 3:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/24 "2006-01-25T15:05:40Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > Ha. I remember when kids would call in to WPIX after school and play Atari video games over the phone to win prizes. They should bring that back. 😉 Pix…pix…pix…pix…pix…pix! Hell, I remember that and I grew up in Central Pennsylvania (we had WPIX on our cable lineup). That and old Tom & Jerry cartoons for two hours before school and two hours after. And the Magic Garden (“You don’t need a key, so follow me! There are no locks on Story Box!”). ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/25 "2006-01-25T23:11:26Z")
> [@Trion](#): > > Ha. I remember when kids would call in to WPIX after school and play Atari video games over the phone to win prizes. They should bring that back. 😉 Wrong system: > [@Intellivision Productions](#): > > In the late 1970s, television syndicator Marv Kempner developed “TV POWWW,” an interactive TV game show. TV POWWW used Fairchild Channel F game consoles modified to be voice activated and simplified versions of the Channel F games…The games were mostly simple shooting games - the game would start and the studio contestant would fire by yelling “POW!” After 15 or 30 seconds, the game would be restarted and the contestant on the phone would try to beat the studio contestant’s score. TV POWWW was a success, but in 1980 Fairchild announced they were quitting the video game market. Needing a replacement system, Kempner made a deal with Mattel to use Intellivision…In New York City on station WPIX, contestants were instructed to shout “PIX!” instead of “POW!” > from [here](http://www.intellivisionlives.com/media/newsletters/news020327.html), ©Intellivision Productions, Inc. ---
**Author:** ![middleman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e9a140/32.png) [@middleman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/middleman)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/26 "2006-01-25T23:31:59Z")
I’m still hoping ABC gets Russell Simmons to do a hip hop channel and they call it ABCDEF. ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/27 "2006-01-25T23:32:45Z")
Wait, I’m all manner of confused. I’m fairly certain that out of Philly, there’s a UPN station and a WB station (broadcast, not cable, and I could be wrong). Does this mean there will just be one once this goes down, and the other station will just go away - meaning, rather than seeing WB shows on channel 1 and UPN shoes on channel 1, you’ll get some of both on channel 1, and nothing on channel 2? ---
**Author:** ![NinjaChick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/71c47a/32.png) [@NinjaChick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NinjaChick)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/28 "2006-01-25T23:34:01Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > rather than seeing WB shows on channel 1 and UPN shoes on channel 1, you’ll get some of both on channel 1, and nothing on channel 2? _sigh_ In my mind “shoes” is in fact pronounced as “shows” is, I swear. ---
**Author:** ![ladybug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/46a35a/32.png) [@ladybug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladybug)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/29 "2006-01-25T23:40:06Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > Wait, I’m all manner of confused. I’m fairly certain that out of Philly, there’s a UPN station and a WB station (broadcast, not cable, and I could be wrong). Does this mean there will just be one once this goes down, and the other station will just go away - meaning, rather than seeing WB shows on channel 1 and UPN shoes on channel 1, you’ll get some of both on channel 1, and nothing on channel 2? You might end up having duplicate stations. Right now on Adelphia I get two WB stations, along with two ABC stations and two FOX stations. The duplicates have the same programming lineup in primetime. ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/30 "2006-01-25T23:41:27Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > _sigh_ In my mind “shoes” is in fact pronounced as “shows” is, I swear. One will become CW and one will go back to independent in all likelihood. From the Articles in NY: WPIX will be the CW station and WOR will go back to independent. Jim ---
**Author:** ![mobo85](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b19c9b/32.png) [@mobo85](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mobo85)\ **Post date:** [January 25, 2006, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/31 "2006-01-25T23:52:52Z")
> [@NinjaChick](#): > > _sigh_ In my mind “shoes” is in fact pronounced as “shows” is, I swear. Ed Sullivan thought the same thing. ---
**Author:** ![Achren](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/898d66/32.png) [@Achren](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achren)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/32 "2006-01-26T00:13:46Z")
> [@What Exit?](#): > > No, Fox gave up on these shows. I thought maybe the new larger CW network would possibly rescue them. Just a minor thought. > > Jim Ah! The “extended life” had me confused. Good point. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/33 "2006-01-26T14:11:51Z")
Nooooooo! > **[WXOW-TV likely to be new TV network’s local operator](https://lacrossetribune.com/news/wxow-tv-likely-to-be-new-tv-network-s-local-operator/article_b6ddaf33-7488-5cc4-ae06-b82ac144ed10.html)** > > Early indications are WXOW-TV in La Crosse will be the local operator for the new The CW television network when it debuts this fall, station officials said Wednesday. The local UPN affilaite is going independant Friday. The new CW will likely be cable only. No more Veronica Mar ☹ :mad: ☹ Brian ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/34 "2006-01-26T14:25:41Z")
That sucks, **N9IWP**. ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/35 "2006-01-26T14:35:09Z")
According to Mark Evanier, TV writer– > [@](#): > > The WB Network and UPN are merging. The goal is to create one network full of shows I won’t watch instead of two. I cannot agree more. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/36 "2006-01-26T14:43:28Z")
For what its worth I emailed UPN and the local affiliate. To the former I asked if some other station could air VM. (for a while the local Fox affilate aired “Enterprise”) To the latter I asked why they were doing this now. I can understand not waiting until Septemeber, but why not wait until May when new programming ends? I was happy with this announcement, figuring it would allow me to see the best of UPN (Veronica Mars, and possibly Everybody hates Chris) with the best of WB (Smallville, not sure what else). But now it means I will be unable to see either (since I will NOT get cable). Guess I have to wait for the DVDs… Brian ---
**Author:** ![wonky](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wonky/32/393_2.png) [@wonky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wonky)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/37 "2006-01-26T14:58:16Z")
> [@Bosda Di'Chi of Tricor](#): > > According to Mark Evanier, TV writer– > > I cannot agree more. The combined network will have two shows on it that I watch. That’s the same number of CBS shows I watch, and the same number of NBC shows I watch, etc. Judging a show by the network it’s on is strange. ---
**Author:** ![anyrose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/54ee81/32.png) [@anyrose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/anyrose)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/38 "2006-01-26T16:01:14Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > Nooooooo! > > [WXOW-TV likely to be new TV network’s local operator](http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2006/01/26/news/z00cwnetwork.txt) > > The local UPN affilaite is going independant Friday. The new CW will likely be cable only. > > No more Veronica Mar > > ☹ :mad: ☹ > > Brian it super sucks because VM is getting juicy! ---
**Author:** ![Skywatcher](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/skywatcher/32/254_2.png) [@Skywatcher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skywatcher)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/39 "2006-01-26T17:15:31Z")
> [@Governor Quinn](#): > > **And Then There Were Five** You mean “six”. ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, CW, and [the I](http://www.ionline.tv/) (formerly known as PAX). ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2006, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411/40 "2006-01-26T17:33:22Z")
Our local UPN station announced it will become “independent.” The new core programing will be telenovelas. Unfortunately, my Spanish isn’t that good. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/and-then-there-were-five-upn-wb-to-merge/341411.md?page=3)