Struggling CW network revamps schedule

NEW YORK — The young CW network is hoping to turn around a year of disappointing ratings by making changes this fall on each of the five nights it broadcasts.

The network said Thursday that its new series include a modern take on “Beauty and the Beast,” an action drama “Arrow” based on comic book characters and “The Carrie Diaries,” a prequel to “Sex and the City” about Carrie Bradshaw's life in the 1980s.

“The Carrie Diaries” begins on Monday nights in January after the final season of “Gossip Girl” finishes.

The Nielsen Co. says the CW saw its ratings slip by 17 percent this season and 20 percent among the young women who make up its target audience.

Its executives reacted with a dramatic schedule shuffle. It will move the soapy “90210” from Tuesdays to Monday at 7 p.m. The sophomore drama “Hart of Dixie” switches from Monday to Tuesday, preceding a new series, “Emily, Owens, M.D.,” about a young doctor who finds her hospital much like high school.

“Arrow” will air on Wednesdays, followed by the returning drama “Supernatural,” which moves from Friday nights.

“The Vampire Diaries” remains on Thursday, followed by the new “Beauty and the Beast,” where a female detective finds a handsome doctor who's a beast in his spare time.

“America's Next Top Model” moves to Friday nights, joining the drama “Nikita.”

The CW does not program for the weekends. The network says it is moving toward less serial programming, emphasizing series where viewers don't feel they've lost the story line if they miss a week or two.