Departing CW Chief Dennis Miller Tells Staffers Network Overhaul Was At Times “Bumpy And Uncomfortable”, But “Only Path Forward”

Dennis Miller, who will depart at the end of this month as President of The CW, conceded that the overhaul of the network was sometimes “bumpy and uncomfortable,” but was “the only path forward.”

The exec reflected on his two-year tenure in an memo to staffers obtained by Deadline. The longtime former board member at Nexstar Media Group segued to a management role in October 2022 after Nexstar acquired a controlling 75% of The CW. Previous 50-50 network partners Paramount Global and Warner Bros. Discovery each have retained 12.5% stakes.

Miller and programming chief Brad Schwartz, who is expected to replace him, oversaw a dramatic shift in strategy. Since launching in 2006, the fifth-largest broadcast network had primarily served as a platform for the scripted dramas produced by its corporate parents. Under Nexstar, spending was slashed and live sports and weekend programming joined the fold, and unscripted fare elbowed out all but a small handful of the prior slate. Nexstar execs estimated they would turn a profit at The CW by 2025 and have recently said that target remains in sight.

Perry Sook, CEO of Nexstar, saluted Miller for “broadening the appeal” of The CW in the company’s official announcement of the exec’s exit. The news was first reported by Deadline earlier Thursday.

Here is Miller’s full memo:

It has been exactly two busy and energizing years since I segued from the Nexstar Board to help put The CW on the best trajectory for success in today’s broadcast business.  I promised Perry I would bring in a topflight team in all the key positions, broaden the network’s program offerings, add premium sports and establish a clear path to profitability. Together, we are now on course to achieving those ambitious goals. As the network continues to gain momentum, I feel now is the perfect time to hand the reins over to my longtime colleague and friend Brad Schwartz and the stellar team we have assembled. 

We’ve come quite a distance.  We went from zero to 500 hours of sports on The CW with partnerships ranging from ACC football and basketball to NFL films, to WWE NXT wrestling, NASCAR, LIV Golf and Pac 12.  We’ve experienced record ratings growth in the past few weeks with live sports, primetime wrestling and our new game shows “Scrabble” and “Trivial Pursuit.”  By making all these strategic moves, we have significantly enhanced value for our affiliates. 

You have all been a meaningful part of an important transformation for The CW.  While change at times, can be bumpy and uncomfortable, it’s the only path forward in today’s media environment.  I’m lucky to have gotten to know so many of you along the way and will miss the regular interaction, debates, discussions, and ultimate camaraderie we built together. After serving eight years on the Board of Nexstar and two years overseeing The CW, I believe you are now in an enviable position to continue building an incredibly valuable fifth broadcast network.  A network of which you can all be quite proud. And while this time I may be watching from the sidelines or from a box seat, I’ll be rooting for your success every day.

Respectfully,

Dennis