Betsy McGowen Joins The CW to Keep Running Kids’ WB Block
[via press release]
BETSY MCGOWEN JOINS THE CW AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER, KIDS’ WB! ON THE CW
Betsy McGowen will join The CW as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Kids’ WB! on The CW, it was announced today by Dawn Ostroff, who will become President of Entertainment, The CW, to whom McGowen will report. A joint venture between Warner Bros. Entertainment and CBS Corporation, The CW is the new fifth broadcast television network scheduled to launch in the Fall of 2006.
McGowen, a senior executive at Kids’ WB! since its inception in 1995, will oversee all series development, current programming and scheduling as well as brand, image and marketing for Kids’ WB! on The CW.
“Kids’ WB! is an integral part of The CW’s future, and Betsy McGowen’s continued leadership and vast experience make her the perfect executive to oversee this important daypart,” said Ostroff. “Betsy has been with Kids’ WB! since its inception, and her stellar creative and marketing track record has been instrumental in establishing a dominant programming block that kids have embraced in a major way.”
Prior to joining The CW, McGowen had served as Senior Vice President and General Manager, Kids’ WB! since May 2004, overseeing all programming and marketing aspects for network television’s number one children’s block. She had previously served as Senior Vice President, Kids’ WB! Marketing and had held a top marketing position at Kids’ WB! since 1995, where she helped shape the network’s distinct brand image and on-air campaigns.
Before The WB, McGowen worked as a freelance writer/producer/editor for many clients, including Fox and the Disney Channel. From 1992-93, she was a staff promo writer/producer for Fox Kids Network. Prior to Fox Kids, McGowen was an offline/online videotape editor at NBC and Fox.
As previously announced, the new CW Network will consist of a six-night, 13-hour primetime lineup including Monday through Friday nights from 8:00-10:00 PM (ET/PT); Sundays from 7:00-10:00 PM (ET/PT); Sunday from 5:00-7:00 PM (ET/PT) outside of prime time as well as a Monday-Friday afternoon block from 3:00-5:00 PM (ET/PT) and a five-hour Saturday morning animation block from 7:00 AM-12:00 PM. Altogether, the network will program 30 hours a week over seven days.