Stargirl Finds A Broadcast Home On The CW
by Erik Amaya
DC Universe’s simulcast concept broadens its scope to broadcast television.
TVLine reports the service’s upcoming Stargirl series will receive a timeslot on The CW the day after it streams on DC Universe. Traditionally, DC Universe originals new content debut on Friday; suggesting Stargirl may anchor a new Saturday night block for the network. But it is also possible DC Universe will release new episodes of the show on a different day. Indeed, Fridays are becoming a crowded spot for new weekly content on streaming platforms. Beyond its broadcast slot, Stargirl will also be available on The CW’s ad-supported streaming apps.
The move suggests a lot of confidence in the show, but it also makes us wonder how much life DC Universe has left in it. Sure, Titans was renewed for a third season and will remain a platform exclusive. But with both Doom Patrol and Stargirl finding alternate slots in other aspects of the WarnerMedia empire, we can’t help but wonder if a plan is afoot to find other outlets for the programs AT&T considers worth saving while cutting back on DC Universe entirely.
Also, because we’re always going to be bitter about this, it underscores how little support there was for Swamp Thing within the company following the Warner merger.
Based on the character created by Geoff Johns and Lee Moder, Brec Bassinger stars as Courtney Whitmore, a teenager from Los Angeles who moves to Blue Valley, Nebraska when her mother (Amy Smart) remarries. She soon discovers her new stepfather, Pat Dugan (Luke Wilson), was the sidekick of the Golden Age superhero Starman (Joel McHale). Taking Starman’s Cosmic Staff for herself, Courtney adopts the identity of Stargirl and inspires a new generation of heroes to join the Justice Society of America. The series will also feature Anjelika Washington and a surprising number of Golden Age JSAers, including Lou Ferrigno Jr as Hourman, Henry Thomas as Dr. Midnite and Brian Stapf as Wildcat. The series will also feature a modern day Injustice Society composed of actors Joy Osmanski, Neil Hopkins and Nelson Lee as villains Tigress, Sportsmaster and Dragon King.
Stargirl is set to debut in 2020.
