The CW, the sometimes-forgotten fifth broadcast network, has announced the midseason return dates for a majority of their programming.
The CW’s scheduling has always worked differently than the “Big 4” broadcast networks. For starters, they typically hold back their fall premieres until the second or third week of October, which allows them to avoid the competition of the traditionally busy late-September premiere week. The network will repeat this strategy in midseason, holding back until later in January or February while the other networks battle it out for ratings the first week of the new year. In 2021, The CW also began to program on Saturday nights for the first time in its history, adding some variety to a night typically handed over to sports and reruns by the “Big 4.”
The 2022-23 season is shaping up to be significant for The CW, with iconic series like The Flash, Riverdale, and Nancy Drew all set to end. The network is also turning toward franchises, with new series Gotham Knights, Walker: Independence, and The Winchesters building on the DC library, Walker, and Supernatural, respectively.
Let’s take a look at The CW’s midseason schedule. What’s returning, what’s moved, what’s new, and what’s missing?
The Returnees From the Fall
The CW’s midseason schedule will begin on Thursday, January 12 with the returns of Walker and Walker: Independence at 8 and 9 pm, respectively. Jared Padalecki’s CW success didn’t end when Supernatural did, as his Walker is the most-watched series on the network. Airing behind its successful parent series helped Walker: Independence to become the network’s most-watched new series this fall. So why mess with what’s working? Walker and Walker: Independence will continue together on their Thursday slots from the fall.
Another of the network’s new fall series, Criss Angel’s Magic With the Stars will make its return on Saturday, January 14 at 8 pm, followed by the continuation of season three of World’s Funniest Animals at 9 pm. Both will continue in the same timeslots from their fall runs. The CW has typically devoted weekends to unscripted and reality programming, a tactic that will continue in the new year.
The network is also not messing with the reality stalwarts of its Friday night. Penn and Teller: Fool Us will return to continue its ninth season on Friday, January 20 at 8 pm, followed by more of the nineteenth(!) season of the improv comedy Whose Line Is It Anyway? at 9 pm.
The All American duo is staying together on Monday nights, beginning January 23. The original series will return with the second half of its fifth season, while All American: Homecoming is back behind its parent to pick up with season 2.
Supernatural spin-off The Winchesters is set to resume its debut season on Tuesday, January 24. The prequel centers on a young John and Mary Winchester as they meet and fight monsters in the 1970s. In an odd piece of scheduling, new episodes will move back an hour from 8 to 9 pm, with the 8 pm hour occupied by Winchesters reruns.
Kung Fu is set to continue with the second half of its second season on Wednesday, February 8 at 9 pm right after the return of a certain speedy superhero (more on that to come).
New Seasons and Specials
One of the most anticipated 2023 returns is The Flash. Possibly one of the most iconic Arrowverse shows (right up there with Arrow itself), the ninth and final season will premiere on Wednesday, February 8 at 8 pm. The Flash first moved to Wednesdays with the second half of the eighth season in early 2022 after occupying the Tuesday 8 pm spot since its 2014 debut.
In other new season news, Masters of Illusion will return for its ninth season on The CW (twelfth overall) on Saturday, February 11 replacing its fellow magician-centered program Criss Angel’s Magic with the Stars.
Chelsea Handler will host The 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, January 15 at 7 pm.
What’s Missing?
There is no information for what will air on Sundays, as current occupants Family Law and Coroner will likely finish their seasons this fall.
In addition to The Flash, Riverdale and Nancy Drew are also set to say their goodbyes this season (the seventh season for Riverdale and the fourth for Nancy Drew). However, neither currently has a confirmed premiere date. Superman & Lois is not on the midseason schedule, so we don’t yet know when its third season will premiere. The network’s DC Comics programming will continue with the new Gotham Knights, centering on the adopted son of Bruce Wayne. While Gotham Knights is the only scripted series anticipated to debut in midseason 2023, there is no release date yet.
The Full Schedule
Below is the full schedule of midseason return dates.
Thursday, January 12
8:00 pm: Walker
9:00 pm: Walker: Independence
Saturday, January 14
8:00 pm: Criss Angel’s Magic With the Stars
9:00 pm: World’s Funniest Animals
Sunday, January 15
7:00 pm: The 28th Annual Critics Choice Awards
Friday, January 20
8:00 pm: Penn and Teller: Fool Us
9:00 pm: Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Monday, January 23
8:00 pm: All American
8:30 pm: All American: Homecoming
Tuesday, January 24
8:00 pm: The Winchesters (reruns)
9:00 pm: The Winchesters (new)
Wednesday, February 8
8:00 pm: The Flash (ninth and final season premiere)
9:00 pm: Kung Fu
Saturday, February 11
8:00 pm: Masters of Illusion (ninth season premiere)
9:00 pm: World’s Funniest Animals
