CW Chief Blames Shonda Rhimes, ABC for Network's Sluggish Thursday Ratings

The CW’s President Mark Pedowitz spoke at the Television Critics Association press tour on Sunday, shortly after his network announced the renewal of eight of its dramatic series. He said live ratings weren’t the most important factor in deciding renewals and credited Shonda Rhimes and ABC with making it difficult to attract Thursday night viewers.

“They made it tougher,” Mark Pedowitz told TheWrap during his TCA session. “There are very similar audiences being appealed to, but we have a huge digital component in delayed viewing.”

Also Read: CW Sets Premiere Dates for New Dramas ‘iZombie,’ ‘The Messengers’

Rhimes and her Shondaland banner are responsible for three highly rated hours of Thursday drama: “Grey’s Anatomy,” Scandal” and freshman series “How to Get Away with Murder.” The CW’s Thursday offerings, which include period drama “Reign” and mainstay “The Vampire Diaries” haven’t fared as well.

As TheWrap previously reported, many of the network’s scripted series rank near the bottom in terms of live viewership and ratings share, including “Reign” which averaged a 0.6. But. Pedowitz believes The CW’s shows succeed in delayed viewership, even when the live viewing numbers don’t stack up with the other networks.

“We have a huge digital component in delayed viewing,” he said, citing a 23 percent grown in digital viewing and growth in Video On Demand. “We’ve monetized our delayed component.”

Also Read: ‘Vampire Diaries,’ ‘Originals’ Stars on Overcoming Social Media Criticism

Pedowitz also thinks his network’s dramas, which range from sci-fi post-apocalyptic (“The 100”) to adaptations of telenovelas (“Jane the Virgin”), to superhero-based (“The Flash,” “Arrow”) series exceed artistically.

“For us the shows were creatively quite strong. We believe in them,” he said.

Two of The CW biggest successes in 2014 were new dramas. “Jane the Virgin” was nominated for two Golden Globes, including Best Comedy Actress in star Gina Rodriguez, and “The Flash” gave the network its best premiere ratings ever.

He said The CW wants to give low-rated “Jane the Virgin” time to find an audience and hopefully the nominations and critical support will drive viewers.

Also Read: CW Renews ‘Arrow,’ ‘Flash,’ ‘The Vampire Diaries,’ 5 More Series

Regardless, Pedowitz thinks things are moving in the right direction.”I’m very proud of where we’re going. We’re the only network in the last 2 years that have grown our numbers,” he said.

Still, the network president doesn’t expect to catch his competitors overnight.

“I’d like [The CW] to be No. 1,” he said. “But, you have to be realistic.”

Also Read: ‘iZombie’ Introduces Pretty, Self-Aware Walking Dead Who Are Totally Dateable

Here are other highlights from the session.

On a “Supernatural” spinoff: “I’ve been pretty outspoken in wanting another ‘Supernatural’ spinoff. It’s really in creators Jeremy Carver and Eric Kripke and Bob Singer’s court.”

On not bringing on “Supergirl” series: Pedowitz said The CW was aware of “Supergirl,” but the network didn’t want to become just one thing and he’s happy CBS bought it. At the same time, he says that they’re exploring ways to expand the “Arrow”/”Flash” universe.

On next “Arrow”/”Flash” crossover episodes: The network plans to have them once a year in the fourth quarter.

Also Read: CW Sets Premiere Dates for New Dramas ‘iZombie,’ ‘The Messengers’

On renewing poorly rated “America’s Next Top Model” for Cycle 22: Pedowitz said it’s still performing well and doing “phenomenally” digitally. The next cycle will continue with both male and female competitors.

On whether this is the final season of “Hart of Dixie”: “Not necessarily,” Pedowitz said. He wants to see the ratings and how it plays with “Jane the Virgin.”

On the return of “Beauty and the Beast”: Pedowitz said it will air during the summer.

The Scene at TCA: Funny, Frank and Flippant Quotes From the 2015 TV Press Tour (Photos)

"It's a big misconception that we use data to craft perfect shows." – Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, on Netflix's refusal to release viewings numbers.
Getty
“I love Debra Messing, but I don’t want her face going across the screen: The Mysteries Of Laura." – Tina Fey, on moving "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt" to the ad-less Netflix.
Getty
"Do we really need to see that? She was a mother, sister, friend. We forget that she just wanted to live a normal life." – Angela Bassett on why she decided not to depict Whitney Houston's downward spiral in Lifetime movie's "Whitney."
Getty
"I am not a bitch. I'm honest. There's a difference." – Constance Zimmer on her "Unreal" TV producer character.
Getty
"When you shake hands with him you can't shake the feeling that this was a guy who admitted to dismembering his neighbor." – Director Andrew Jarecki, on billionaire and accused murderer Robert Durst.
Getty
"We know Isaac Newton was born on Christmas Day. Who knows when Jesus was born?" – Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson, host of NatGeo's first ever late night show.
Getty
“We have to be careful not to overpromise." – Discovery Channel President David Zaslav on the network's failed anaconda stunt.
Getty
"I'm obviously not a serial murderer in real life. You have to find something human in them you like." – Jamie Dornan on playing a serial killer in "The Fall"
Getty
"The only difference between us and a pair of 14-year-old pyromaniacs is we call the police and fire department to help us." – Mythbusters Jamie Hyneman and Adam Savage
Getty
"The most spastic and hilarious human being on the planet." – "Togetherness" creator and writer Jay Duplass, on star Amanda Peet
Getty
"Well, she doesn't always use an axe." – Christina Ricci on whether Lizzie Borden will have any more axes to grind in Lifetime's "Lizzie Borden Chronicles."
Getty
"We want to be your coffee this morning." – Marti Noxon, executive producer of Lifetime's "Unreal," on her pink streaks and matching frock.
Getty
"To be on a horse firing a gun, that's not a bad way to spend your day." – Actor Jeffery Dean Morgan, about working on History Channel's "Texas Rising."
Getty
"It didn't work in Scotland, but it's going to work in Texas." – Texan actor Bill Paxton on History Channel's "Texas Rising" sparking a secessionist movement.
Getty
"I went through the actors directory and everybody else was working." – "Shitt's Creek" Actor and writer Eugene Levy on why he called fellow actor Chris Elliot to join the cast.
Getty
"You come out and what do you see on your podium, is this a good omen? HBO water they’ve served me. That’s great." –AMC president and GM on being served water branded with the competition.
Getty Images
"Yeah, I’m thrilled that it’s ending. So looking forward to being unemployed for as long as I’ll be unemployed. I’m so happy not to see any of these people ever again. And all of that is really great. Hashtag sarcasm." – AMC's "Mad Men" star Jon Hamm on whether there's any reason he's happy series is ending.
Getty
"The idea at the center of the show is a zombie you can fall in love with... a zombie you want to date. We were calling the show 'ZILFs' at one point" – The CW's "iZombie" showrunner Rob Thomas. on his new show
Getty
"The fans are so polarized in what they are rooting for that to appease all of them, the show would be gobbledygook." – "The Vampire Diaries" executive producer Caroline Dries.
Getty
“She goes from avenging her sister, to honoring her sister, to becoming her sister. It's been amazing. I love to kick some ass.” – "Arrow's" Katie Cassidy on the evolution of her character Laurel Lance, a.k.a. Black Canary.
Getty
“We should’ve had more women up here today. That’s on me. That’s my fault.” – "Arrow," "The Flash" EP Greg Berlanti on the composition of the panel.
Getty
"It's not a show about religion; it's a show about faith." -– "The Messengers" executive producer Trey Callaway.
Getty
"The gelatin doesn't taste too bad on its own, but covered in fake blood, is disgusting." – star of the upcoming series "iZombie," Rose McIver.
Getty
"[Italia Ricci's] even prettier than Robbie Amell." – Victor Garber talking about his "Flash" co-star's new fiancee.
''We were calling the show 'ZILF,' because the star's a zombie you want to date (the polite way to say it)" – "iZombie" executive producer, Rob Thomas.
"We're most interested in telling stories that tell light in the darkness" – "The Dovekeepers" executive producer Roma Downey Jr.
"The place is filled with history everywhere you go" – "The Dovekeepers" star Cote De Pablo on filming in Malta.
"Wouldn’t it be nice if all the networks were more representative of the complexions of America?" – Oscar Winner Cuba Gooding Jr., on diversity on television.
"When we did the original 'Odd Couple' we weren't allowed to have women writers." – Director Garry Marshall, on consulting for the CBS "Odd Couple" remake.
"The license to be edgy shouldn't mean we have to be more niche or narrow" -- " -- Showtime president David Nevins.
"I love series television. It's as close as you can come to having a real job for an actor." -- Edie Falco on playing Jackie Payton on "Nurse Jackie."
Getty
"I'll work with anybody if the money's right" — Joel McHale on "Community's" move to Yahoo.
Getty
"When you start on TV, it's almost fear based. When you start online, you just try stuff" — TMZ founder Harvey Levin on his company's move to television.
Getty
"Funny story, I have no say in anything" — Joe Dirt 2 star David Spade on why he allowed his iconic wig from the first film to be sold.
Getty
“Whether it's drama or comedy, you want to be relevant" — "American Crime" executive producer John Ridley on whether his story lines are ripped from the headlines.
Getty
"We’ve encouraged millions of people to take out wine and popcorn really enjoy what is water cooler television — ABC Entertainment Group chief Paul Lee on the network's "TGIT" programming.
Getty
"Asians have money. If you want their money, make things for them" — "Fresh Off the Boat" creator Eddie Huang on his new show.
Getty
"When something is salacious, how it is presented by the media becomes the perceived 'truth'" — Ryan Phillippe on his new upcoming ABC show "Secrets & Lies."
Getty
"He's uncovering things as [the show] is uncovering things" — actor Milo Ventimiglia on his character in ABC's upcoming "The Whispers."
Getty
"Maybe I've got my wife hidden away in the attic" — actor James D'Arcy on his character Jarvis' unseen spouse in "Agent Carter ."
Getty
"What it would be like if Princess Diana had become Queen of England?" — actress Elizabeth Hurley about the inspiration for her character on E!'s "The Royals."
Getty
“When we realized there was so much more, we realized we couldn’t go forward” — NBC Entertainment chair, Robert Greenblatt, on the network's decision to cancel a Bill Cosby comedy series.
Getty
"Whether people like it or don't like it, I'm not changing. NBC has never said anything to me, once" — "Celebrity Apprentice" host Donald Trump on his unabashed political views.
Getty
“I think by the year 2030 we’re going to have an entire lesbian cast with one token heterosexual. We’re not there yet” — Ellen DeGeneres joking about recent accusations she's been promoting a "gay agenda."
Getty
"It's like playing a human being with a heart, and a sense of humor, and a great collection of blazers" — "One Big Happy" star Elisha Cuthbert on playing a lesbian character.
Getty
"This is a story that millions have died for and billions have lived for" — "AD: The Series" executive producer Mark Burnett, about the follow up to his successfulmini-series, "The Bible."
Getty

1 of 46

TV stars and executives offer pearls of wisdom at the annual Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour

"It's a big misconception that we use data to craft perfect shows." – Netflix Chief Content Officer Ted Sarandos, on Netflix's refusal to release viewings numbers.

View In Gallery

The Scene at TCA: Funny, Frank and Flippant Quotes From the 2015 TV Press Tour (Photos)

7DAYFREETRIAL

7
DAY
FREE
TRIAL