The CW Network, seemingly intent on proving there’s life after the departure of its DC Comics and teen drama programming, unveiled its midseason schedule on Tuesday, November 20, 2024, leaning heavily on unscripted fare and sports. The network’s most established returning series, “All American,” will lead the scripted charge, along with the sophomore season of the successful procedural “Wild Cards” and a new comedic drama, “Good Cop/Bad Cop.”
“All American,” the network’s most-watched series last season, will return for its seventh season with a special preview on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, before settling into its regular Monday at 8:00 p.m. timeslot on February 3, 2025. The series, focusing on the triumphs and struggles of a high school football star, has been a consistent performer for The CW, demonstrating the network’s continued ability to connect with audiences seeking character-driven stories. Whether the show can maintain its momentum without the lead-in support of other established series remains an open question.
“Wild Cards,” a freshman success story for The CW, will return on Wednesday, February 5, 2025, at 8:00 p.m., directly following “All American’s” preview the previous week. The procedural, featuring Vanessa Morgan and Giacomo Gianniotti as detectives navigating the challenging landscape of law enforcement in a fictional metropolis, will attempt to build on its first season’s strong ratings. The network is clearly hoping “Wild Cards” can anchor its Wednesday night lineup, a crucial night for attracting advertising revenue.
Hoping to capitalize on the established audience for crime procedurals, “Good Cop/Bad Cop,” starring Leighton Meester and Luke Cook as mismatched detective siblings, will premiere on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. The presence of Clancy Brown as their disapproving police chief father adds a layer of familial tension to the series. While the network’s track record with comedic dramas has been inconsistent, the casting of recognizable actors like Meester and Brown suggests a significant investment in the show’s success.
Unscripted programming continues to be a significant part of The CW’s strategy, with returning series like “Penn & Teller: Fool Us,” “Masters of Illusion,” “Police 24/7,” and “Crime Nation” all slated for January premieres. These shows provide consistent, cost-effective programming that appeals to a broad audience.
Additionally, The CW will offer original documentaries, including “The ’90s Boy Band Boom” on Saturday, February 15, 2025, and three installments of the “I Am” series focusing on Joe Frazier, Luke Perry, and Raquel Welch, airing throughout February and March. These documentaries, exploring figures from the worlds of sports and entertainment, aim to tap into nostalgic interest and offer biographical insights.
The network’s commitment to live sports is also evident with the NASCAR Xfinity Series season opener airing live from Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 15, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. ET. Securing the rights to broadcast all 33 races of the NASCAR Xfinity Series represents a major push by The CW into live sports programming, potentially attracting a new viewership demographic.
The CW’s midseason schedule reflects a network in transition, attempting to establish a new identity after significant programming changes. Whether this blend of established series, new dramas, unscripted mainstays, documentaries, and live sports will resonate with viewers remains to be determined. One thing is certain: The CW is now charting a different course.
“All American” returns for a sneak peek on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on The CW before its regular time slot premiere on Monday, February 3, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT. “Wild Cards” returns Wednesday, February 5, 2025 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on The CW. “Good Cop/Bad Cop” premieres Wednesday, February 19, 2025 at 9:00 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.
