Though it may seem like many years ago, most of us can recall those weeknights spent huddling around the television glued to the latest development with the Dawson, Pacey and Joey love triangle or watching as Buffy slew her latest victim. In those days of classic teenage TV, The WB and UPN reigned supreme.
Formed in 1995 and in constant competition, The WB and UPN surprised dedicated fans of shows like “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” “Gilmore Girls,” and “America’s Next Top Model” when they announced in September 2006 that they would be merging into a new network called the CW.
While these two networks no longer grace our screens, the lessons learned from their mercurial rise and fall will be around for a long time to come.
Former president of entertainment for The WB, Susanne Daniels, with the help of co-author Cynthia Littleton, deputy editor of news development for industry trade magazine “Variety,” recently released their book “Season Finale: The Unexpected Rise & Fall of The WB and UPN.”
Tonight at 5 p.m., Daniels and Littleton will participate in a Q&A sponsored by the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television to speak on the ascent and eventual merger of these two networks. This event is mediated by former UPN president and current UCLA film and television professor, Tom Nunan who also organized this event.
“When Susanne and Cynthia told me the book was coming out, I told them I would put together an event at UCLA,” Nunan said. “It is a way to bring students from my classes, the film and TV, communications and business schools together.”
Many fans and industry mavens wondered how in only 10 years, two companies could rise, compete, and suddenly merge.
Striking a balance between insider scoops and detailed examinations of the TV business in issues such as casting and development, the book appeals to both Buffy fanatics and potential industry employees.
Who better to tell the stories of this unique time in TV history? The two women played major roles: One worked directly for the successful WB (Daniels), and the other documented the two networks’ progress along the way (Littleton). Both offer insider and outsider perspectives.
“I had covered both networks from the time they launched, and I realized that this was part of TV history, even before we knew they were going away,” Littleton said.
Through insights and interviews with some of the key players in the industry both now and then, “Season Finale” reveals the inner workings of these networks, while also providing behind-the-scenes looks at some of the real drama, love triangles and gossip of their iconic teenage series.
“I always wanted to write this book. … I had read the book “Outfoxed” by Alex Ben Block and found the story of early Fox network fascinating. Even as I joined The WB as the third person hired, I felt there might be a book one day in the story of the network,” Daniels said.
Littleton was equally enthusiastic about Daniels’ novel idea when Daniels first approached her about co-authoring.
“The book was Susanne’s idea,” Littleton said. “She had the drive and motivation to tell the experience as a founding executive. She had literally seen it go from nothing to quite successful in its heyday. She had always wanted to get that down on paper.”
The Q&A, like the book, will cover the dismantlement of The WB and UPN. Some of the main causes, including the verticalization of media industries and audiences’ shifting tastes towards outlets such as TiVo and the Internet for their TV-watching experiences, are internal and external developments that the industry still struggles to adapt with.
The discussion will also cover the history and the television landscape of early 1990s, exploring the shifts and changes in the TV industry that led to the development of these speciality networks,
“My co-author, Cynthia Littleton, calls it the “˜nichification’ of television programming. Networks like HGTV and the Food Network were born out of The WB’s early targeted strategy,” Daniels said.
“I think that when you get a chance to get a front row seat to any sort of major business story, it’s a unique experience for students, faculty or anyone,” Nunan said. “The event has two principle people involved, so you have a unique opportunity to ask questions to people who have genuine experience in the field.”