WB Puts ‘Pirro’ in Afternoon Block on The CW

By Chris Pursell

Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution will create a daily two-hour afternoon programming block this fall in tandem with The CW. The block will create an outlet for upcoming court show “Judge Jeanine Pirro” as well as two off-net comedies on CW affiliates from 3-5 p.m. each weekday.

The deal was completed when the Tribune station group, which owns the network’s biggest affiliates, agreed to an offer to carry the block.

Joining “Pirro” will be “The Wayans Bros.” at 4 p.m. and “The Jamie Foxx Show” at 4 p.m. both of which return to the syndicated marketplace with the move. The new programming schedule will debut Sept. 22.

“By pairing ‘Judge Jeanine Pirro’ with these two successful comedies, we will be providing programming from 3-4 p.m. that is very compatible with the daytime lineup of CW affiliates, and the two sitcoms will provide a good transition to the comedy blocks which affiliates run at 5 p.m.,” said John Maatta, chief operating officer at The CW. “This lineup was created to better serve the programming mix of our stations with first-run and off-network programming that will increase ratings, revenue and flow.”

The deal that cemented the late programming move was the addition of the Tribune stations, which comprise 15 of The CW’s outlets, including WPIX-TV in New York and KTLA-TV in Los Angeles.

Multiple sources said Tribune received cash to close the deal to air the programming block. A Warner Bros. representative did not respond to requests for comment on the financial aspect of the deal.

“We are excited to be in business with The CW on ‘Judge Jeanine Pirro.’ Jeanine has the unique breakout qualities that all great judges of court shows possess,” said Ken Werner, president of Warner Bros. Domestic Television Distribution. “Although some think the genre is overcrowded, we believe viewers will flock to Jeanine, who is a fresh face with a distinctive voice.

“‘The Wayans Bros.’ and ‘The Jamie Foxx Show’ represent two series with which the audience of The CW stations is familiar and star performers who are now superstars,” he added. “We hope that their performance in syndication will follow that of Will Smith’s sitcom ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air,’ which has been a consistently good performer well into its fourth cycle.”

“Judge Jeanine Pirro,” produced by Telepictures Productions, will originate from Chicago. The company’s own Judge Greg Mathis will serve as executive consultant to the new series. Bo Banks, who currently executive produces “Judge Mathis,” also will executive produce.