By Chris Walters on January 25, 2006 at 2:04 AM EST

Following the announcement of plans to merge UPN and The WB into "The CW," a joint press release was issued discussing plans for the network.

By combining Tribune's sixteen WB stations with the twelve CBS-owned UPN stations, the new network will already have coverage in 48% of the country. Once other select WB and UPN stations agree to distribute the network, The CW will be available to over 95% of the country.

Dawn Ostroff (UPN) will serve as President of Entertainment, while John Maatta (WB) will serve as Chief Operating Officer.

The CW will utilize The WB's present scheduling formula: Monday through Friday (3-5PM EST, 8-10PM EST), Saturdays (7AM-12PM animation block), Sundays (5-10PM EST).

Programs highlighted as being "available" in the press release are "America's Next Top Model," "Beauty and the Geek," "Smallville," "Gilmore Girls," "Supernatural," "Veronica Mars," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Girlfriends" and "Reba."

"In addition the WWE's "Smackdown," which has been a mainstay at UPN, is expected to play a role in the schedule," the release said.

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