UPN: The Rise of the 5th TV Network (pt. 1)

After Fox shocked the nation by expanding the Big 3 to the Big 4, TV veteran Paramount perked up, took notice, and promptly got to work creating a network they hoped would see the same level of success as Fox, and would change the Big 4 to the Big 5. In 1995, UPN was launched to achieve just that. However, in spite of high hopes and enormous dollar signs, UPN was never able to escape a reputation of mediocrity, and after 11 years of little success, time was up and the plug was pulled on UPN. So how did a network that launched with big dreams and gigantic corporate backing fall by the wayside? The story is long, so grab a snack, sit back, and listen up as we explore the factors that led to UPN’s rise and eventual fall.

The New York Times article I used briefly in the video with the headline “UPN Network Cancels 4 of Its 5 Programs” is really entitled “UPN Cancels 3 of Its 4 Programs”. However, the article was mistaken, and was even amended in a later issue to account for a series that was excluded from the original article.

[thedougtime]

As 24 year veteran of TV (and a former UPN intern), I have to say good job and thanks for the history lesson. You know your stuff.

[DisneyVideoArchive]

Update from 2020: Viacom and CBS are one company again.

[Wridde]

I miss UPN. It had good programs but the network couldn't sustain consistent programs on the air.

[lateshiachilds]

I miss UPN and WB, classic network. I still have some shows from WB and UPN recorded on tape

[devingiles]

I remember the days of UPN when they launched Disney's One Too. It was a block that ran every monday through friday and sunday.

[ericstone]

I just wanted to compliment you on this video. I’m a WB/UPN junkie and this was super informative!

[ChinueTV]

Growing up, we didn’t have cable and I really thought upn was the “antenna” version of BET lol.

[nickshellhammer]

Loved this video. If digital broadcast was around then, I would tend to believe that UPN and the WB would still exist.

[Tazzer]

The screen for the four original UPN shows at 11:41 were taken from Baltimore's TV-54, WNUV! Such a sweet nostalgia blast with the checkmark logo and everything! Obviously, as cited at 21:34, this was one of the five station to flip affiliations over to the WB in July of '97.

[stanleymcclain]

i miss UPN.I can't wait for part 2.

[seanodeli]

Fun fact clerks the animated series nearly ended up on UPN. ABC convinced Kevin smith they were going to go out of business so he signed w ABC. It’s why there’s so many UPN jokes in the series

[AxelFoley-sbre]

We live in a time we have to appreciate what we have now because things are rapidly changing and we’re losing what we loved and gave us quality content! I miss the good ol days.

[Launchpad]

I got UPN first, but I actually wanted to get The WB because they had all the cool cartoons I wanted to watch. 'Animaniacs', and 'Batman', which were big heavy hitters on Fox Kids, moved over to Kids WB, (As well as cartoons I wanted to see like 'Superman', and 'Freakazoid'.) and I had to wait a few years before the station switched affiliation from UPN to The WB. By comparison, UPN didn't have very many cartoons I wanted to watch, and if they did, it was usually in syndication.

[maczepa]

I'm half way through and heard you mention The Sentinel, but no Mention of VIPER. That was a huge Paramount and to a lesser extent UPN tv series. Major action, probably one of the most expensive "syndicated" TV show of the 90s. The show helped UPN quite a bit!

VIPER also started on NBC, was axed because the ratings didn't make up the 1-3 Million dollar per episode expense. Then UPN/Paramount had an obligation to Chrysler to make 60 episodes of the NBC series. Thus it was on UPN.

[goodboy]

The WB picked up cancelled shows too. Sister, Sister from ABC, Brotherly Love and For Your Love from NBC, and both The PJs and Grounded For Life from Fox.

[tvsbest]

Love this video. We need more for The WB, FOX, CBS, NBC, and The CW and ABC

[Trvpkri]

The nostalgia of upn and wb are heartwarming. I miss these days.

[jwilliams]

I always felt UPN had a lot of untapped potential to surpass fox. It had great advertisement in the beginning and I think missed some opportunities to do really well

[MrWEWE]

20:31 - When you mentioned the PAX network and its programming strategy, it reminds me of both Colombia and the Netherlands. Programadoras (private production companies) would buy airtime on one of the three channels of public broadcaster INRAVISION, but RCN and Caracol would be TV networks of their own in 1998. Similar to the Netherlands, a company run by an ideological community would take airtime on one of NPO’s (public) three channels.

[GtotheNextLevel]

This and part 2 were absolutely outstanding. Thank you for this Connor, I’d still love to see you make a video on The WB! I grew up watching both UPN and The WB so this was so fascinating to learn behind the scenes.