Template:NetworkInfobox The WB Television Network (commonly shortened to The WB and short for Warner Bros.) was an American television network that was originally run from January 11, 1995 to September 17, 2006, as a joint venture between the Warner Bros. Entertainment division of AT&T's WarnerMedia and the Tribune Broadcasting subsidiary of the Tribune Company, with the former acting as controlling partner. The network principally aired programs targeting teenagers and young adults between the ages of 13 and 34, with the exception of its weekday daytime and Saturday morning program block, Kids' WB, which was geared toward children ages 7 to 12.
Why It Rocked[]
- Warner Bros. and the Tribune Company were having their very own television network.
- American television in its purest form, next to ABC, FOX, NBC and PBS.
- It successfully launched on January 11, 1995, with Michigan J. Frog (which was chosen by Bugs Bunny) pulls the switch and lights up The WB logo. Sorry, Daffy.
- Surprisingly, one of the long-time Warner Bros. cartoon directors, Chuck Jones, had his guest appearance.
- During its first years, Michigan J. Frog sings the sponsor of each show.
- Its very creative logo.
- It had its logo and the logo of its shows are impressive, as very huge light signs.
- It had its children's programming block, Kids' WB!, as it had several great kids' programs, including Pinky and the Brain, The New Batman/Superman Adventures, The Sylvester & Tweety Mysteries, Teen Titans, Men in Black: The Series, ¡Mucha Lucha!, Tom and Jerry Tales, Channel Umptee-3, Tiny Toon Adventures, Jackie Chan Adventures, Static Shock, Earthworm Jim, Max Steel and Brats of the Lost Nebula.
- It had many great CG-animated bumpers during the Kids' WB programming, in a favor of the success of Pixar's very first feature film, mh:greatestmovies:Toy Story.
- It also air adult shows like mission hill the pjs and the oblongs
- With the success of BOTH The WB and Kids' WB, its programming lineup was huge!
- Speaking of which, it quickly became "America's fastest growing television network" in the late 90's and early 2000's.
- By 1999, it had the very funny Pokemon crossover, for the 7th Heaven promo.
- Prior to the launch of Kids' WB, it was originally aired as a comedy-oriented Wednesday night programming block.
- Its iconic jingle, Everybody Dubba! was very catchy.
- During its early days, Michigan J. Frog sings alternative versions of the songs about the all-new WB television network.
- Its beloved 1997-1998 season, which is the most-watched season that The WB ever had.
- Promos and bumpers are set in the Warner Bros. studio lot.
- The success of The WB led to the launch of the programming service, The WB 100+ Station Group (now The CW Plus), on September 21, 1998.
- It aired most of the programs, which were made by the Warner Bros. studios, including The Wayans Bros. (its very first program).
- Its finale night, "The WB's Night of Favorites and Farewells", was very touching to end the network in a high note.
- At the end of its original run on September 17th, 2006, Michigan J. Frog takes off his hat, and takes a bow, thanking the audiences for watching the network's original run for 11 years, was the most heartwarming moment in the Looney Tunes franchise.
Bad Qualities[]
- The network has had its fair share of bad shows, including Unhappily Ever After and the Nelvana dub of Cardcaptor Sakura.
- It did not air primetime shows on Saturday nights.
- This trait would be carried over to The CW in 2006, and would remain that way until the 2021-2022 season, when it was confirmed that primetime shows will also air on Saturdays.
- On September 17, 2006, both The WB and UPN merged into The CW.
- Michigan J. Frog retired in 2005 to appeal to an older audience. But luckily, this was his 50th birthday.