We are calling on Warner Bros. Discovery to officially revive The WB Television Network and save the future of broadcast television drama!

The current landscape of free, broadcast television is rapidly shifting. On August 1, 2026, a massive network-affiliate shakeup will officially take place. Nexstar Media Group, which now fully controls and owns The CW Network, dropped its CBS affiliations across multiple markets to make room for its owned stations to carry The CW. Consequently, CBS is switching its affiliations from Nexstar to Hearst Television and Forum Communications. Meanwhile, on this exact same date, several former CW affiliate stations are choosing to strip network ties altogether and become entirely independent broadcasters.

The Death of the Original CW Network

The CW that fans loved for nearly two decades is completely gone. Originally formed on September 18, 2006, as a proud merger between The WB and UPN, the network was built on character-driven, young-adult storytelling. Today, under Nexstar's corporate strategy, The CW has transformed into a network that relies heavily on low-cost reality TV, cheap unscripted content, and live sports.

The final remnant of the golden era—All American—is currently airing its eighth and final season on the network, signaling the definitive end of homegrown scripted blockbusters on The CW.

Why We Need The WB Back Under Mark Pedowitz

CBS is now securely positioned under the Paramount Skydance Corporation banner. It is time for Warner Bros. Discovery to step up and rescue the audience that Nexstar left behind. We demand that WBD resurrect The WB Television Network to act exactly like the classic, beloved eras of The WB and the pre-2022 CW.

To ensure its creative and commercial success, we demand that Mark Pedowitz be appointed as Network President. As the former head of The CW, Pedowitz championed creators, loved genres, and built the iconic DC Arrowverse franchise.

Our Demands to Warner Bros. Discovery:

• Revive The WB: Re-launch the brand as a premier broadcast network destination.

• Appoint Mark Pedowitz: Bring back the executive who genuinely understands script-driven fandoms.

• Return to High-Quality Scripted TV: Build a brand-new slate of original prime-time dramas, reality television, and workplace/family comedies.

• Bring Back the DC Arrowverse: Revive, reboot, or continue the beloved DC Comics superhero television universe under its original creative spirit.

🧸 The Return of Kids’ WB! — Programming & Broadcast Schedule

To complete the revival of The WB Network under Mark Pedowitz, we propose bringing back the legendary Kids’ WB! children’s programming block. This block will feature a modern, multi-platform lineup powered by Warner Bros. Discovery’s massive animation library, airing across three distinct dayparts.

⏰ Master Broadcast Schedule (Eastern Time)

• Weekday Mornings (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM): Kids’ WB! Jr.
• Weekday Afternoons (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM): Kids’ WB! presents The AfterToons Show
• Saturday Mornings (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM): Kids’ WB! flagship block

📺 Block Breakdown & Animation Lineup

🌅 Weekday Mornings: Kids’ WB! Jr. (7:00 AM – 8:00 AM ET)

• Target Audience: Preschoolers.
  
• Content Strategy: This dedicated early-morning hour will air high-quality Cartoonito programming to give parents a trusted, educational broadcast destination for young children before the school day begins.

🎒 Weekday Afternoons: The AfterToons Show (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM ET)

• Target Audience: School-aged children and teenagers.
• Content Strategy: Bridging the gap between school and evening, this block revives the classic after-school cartoon tradition. It will feature action, comedy, and premium animated hits from top-tier studios.

🪐 Saturday Mornings: Kids’ WB! Flagship Block (8:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET)

• Target Audience: All-ages animation fans.

• Content Strategy: A massive four-hour weekend event showcasing premier original series, nostalgic revivals, and current fan favorites.

🎨 Studio Partnerships & Content Sources

The revived block will serve as the exclusive free, over-the-air home for the best animation in the world, sourcing premium content from:

• Warner Bros. Animation: DC Superhero series, Looney Tunes, and classic franchise revivals.

• Cartoon Network Studios: Current hit original series and modern animated comedies.

• Hanna-Barbera Studios Europe: Innovative global co-productions and fresh takes on classic properties.

• Cartoon Network Acquisitions: Select popular third-party acquired shows currently anchoring the cable network.

The Strategic Plan: Reviving The WB Network via Weigel Broadcasting Acquisition

To successfully revive The WB Network under the leadership of Mark Pedowitz, Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) can execute a targeted acquisition of Weigel Broadcasting. This plan details the exact station reallocations, network spin-offs, and broadcast adjustments required to clear signal space and maximize coverage before the acquisition finalizes.

Phase 1: Pre-Acquisition Divestitures & Network Transitions

To streamline regulatory approval and focus assets, Weigel Broadcasting will execute the following asset transfers and closures prior to the final sale:

• Dabl Operations: Transfer all operational control of Dabl to Paramount Skydance’s CBS Media Ventures.
• Movies! Ownership: Sell Weigel’s 50% stake in the Movies! network to the Fox Television Stations subsidiary of Fox Corporation.
• Start TV Ownership: Sell Weigel’s 50% stake in Start TV to the CBS News and Stations subsidiary of Paramount Skydance Corporation.
• MeTV+ and MeTV Toons Sunset: Cease all broadcasting of MeTV+ (originally launched on May 15, 2021) and MeTV Toons (originally launched on June 25, 2024) to immediately free up spectrum bandwidth for the launch of The WB.

Phase 2: Core Network Relocations
To maintain the continuity of Weigel’s legacy classic television brands, key networks will shift to new channel assignments:

MeTV Relocation Map
The primary MeTV network will migrate to the following frequencies:

• KVME-TV (Channel 20.1)
• KREG-TV (Channel 3.6)
• KNLC (Channel 24.2)
• WZME (Channel 43.1)
• KYAZ (Channel 51.2)

Heroes & Icons (H&I) Relocation Map

• KTLN-TV (Channel 68.4)

Phase 3: WBD O&O Station Fleet & The WB Launchpad
Upon completion of the merger, Warner Bros. Discovery will assume direct ownership and operation of the following flagship stations. These channels will serve as the primary broadcast launchpads for the resurrected WB Network:

• WCIU-TV (Channel 26.1)
• WJLP (Channel 33.1)
• KAZA-TV (Channel 54.1)
• KYAZ (Channel 51.1)
• WMLW-TV (Channel 49.1)
• KNLC (Channel 24.1)
• KTLN-TV (Channel 68.1)
• WCWW-LD (Channel 25.1)
• KREG-TV (Channel 3.1)

Phase 4: Final Portfolio Integration

Following the pre-merger spin-offs, Warner Bros. Discovery will fully integrate and distribute the remaining acquired Weigel networks alongside the newly launched WB Network:

• Catchy Comedy
• Heroes & Icons (H&I)
• MeTV
• Story Television
• WEST

Corporate Integration Strategy: The Birth of Warner Bros. Television Stations

To ensure a seamless revival of The WB, the structural integration of Weigel Broadcasting must be cleanly mapped out. Following the completion of the acquisition, Weigel Broadcasting will not remain a standalone entity. Instead, it will be absorbed directly into the core television architecture of the company.

The New Corporate Hierarchy

The acquired stations and networks will be positioned under a newly established broadcast arm structured exactly as follows:

• Parent Corporation: Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD)
  • Flagship Studio Division: Warner Bros. Entertainment
    • Television Umbrella: Warner Bros. Television Group
      • Newly Formed Subsidiary: Warner Bros. Television Stations
        • Asset Portfolio: All acquired Weigel Broadcasting local stations and national networks.

Absorbed Network Assets

The newly formed Warner Bros. Television Stations division will directly manage and distribute the remaining national networks:

• MeTV (The premier classic television network)

• Heroes & Icons (H&I)

• Catchy Comedy

• Story Television

• WEST

The Nexstar Broadcast Realignment: Reviving WGN America & The CW Integration

To optimize Nexstar Media Group's broadcast portfolio while supporting the broader landscape of television network revivals, Nexstar should realign its national cable assets. This plan details the transition of "NewsNation" back to its historic roots, creating a powerful national vehicle for both news and major sports programming.

Phase 1: Rebranding & Network Identity Shift

Nexstar will reverse its previous cable network rebranding to tap into legacy brand equity and broader programming formats:

• The Return of WGN America: The cable network currently known as NewsNation will officially change its name back to WGN America.

• National Superstation Feed: WGN America will operate directly as the national broadcast feed of Chicago’s flagship CW owned-and-operated station, WGN-TV.

Phase 2: News Programming Consolidation

News coverage will remain a vital component of the network but will be consolidated into a dedicated, high-profile programming block:

• NewsNation Re-anchored: The standalone 24-hour news network branding will cease.
• The "NewsNation" Program: The NewsNation Prime evening timeslot will be rebranded simply as "NewsNation"—continuing as the network's definitive, flagship television news program airing nightly on the revived WGN America.

Phase 3: The CW Sports & Primetime Expansion

By shifting WGN America into a national feed for WGN-TV (Chicago's CW O&O), Nexstar can clear valuable cable space to expand the reach of its broadcast network properties:

• CW Primetime Clearance: WGN America will carry The CW’s full primetime television lineup nationwide to homes without a local over-the-air CW affiliate.

• National Sports Destination: WGN America will broadcast all of The CW’s sports programming live to a national cable audience, ensuring maximum distribution for live sporting events, premium studio shows, and tournament coverage.

With so many local stations across the country becoming independent on August 1st or September 1st, 2026, there is an abundant supply of local broadcast channels hungry for a new network affiliation. The audience is waiting, the stations are open, and the scripts are ready.

Sign this petition to tell Warner Bros. Discovery to bring back The WB!