Sci-Fi/Fantasy fans will breathe a sigh of relief with the knowledge that the CW has renewed “Vampire Diaries,” “Supernatural” and “Arrow.” The CW, a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Warner Bros. Entertainment, is known for championing “alternative” fare for adults who like a lot of fantasy in their prime-time soap operas.
“We said last year that one of our goals was to establish building blocks to grow on, and now with our new hit “Arrow” and fan favorite “Supernatural” on Wednesday night, and the continued success of “The Vampire Diaries” on Thursday, we’ve been able to do that,” said Mark Pedowitz, president of The CW. “Not only do “Arrow,” “Supernatural” and “The Vampire Diaries” perform well on-air, they’re also extremely successful for us both digitally and socially. I’m thrilled to have all three shows returning to our schedule next season.”
“Arrow,” based on the fictional costumed crime-fighter Green Arrow of DC Comics legend, follows billionaire playboy Oliver Queen (Stephen Amell) who, after five years of being stranded on a hostile island, returns home to fight crime and corruption as a secret vigilante whose weapon of choice is a bow and arrows. The series, which sports a diverse cast, including Colin Salmon (“Resident Evil”) as Walter Steele and John Barrowman (“Torchwood”) as Malcolm Merlyn, ranks as the network’s most-watched show this season, averaging 4.3 million viewers. “Arrow’s” opening marked the CW’s best premiere since “The Vampire Diaries” and its most-watched telecast in three years.
“Supernatural,” helmed by Eric Kripke, stars Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) and Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) follows two brothers as they hunt demons, ghosts, monsters and other creatures of folklore. The series won the People’s Choice Award 2010 for Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show and won the cover of TV Guide Magazine, with fans casting over five million votes. “Supernatural” also won the 2012 People’s Choice Awards for both Favorite Network Drama and Favorite SciFi/Fantasy Series and recently won two awards from 2013 People’s Choice Awards for Favorite TV Fan Following and Favorite SciFi/Fantasy Series.
Before “Arrow,” the pilot for “The Vampire Diaries,” a series loosely based on the book series of the same name written by L. J. Smith, attracted the largest audience of any CW series premiere since the network began in 2006. The first season averaged 3.60 million viewers. The show has received numerous award nominations, winning two People’s Choice Award and many Teen Choice Awards.