CW Renews One Tree Hill And Nikita, Adds 4 And Drops Hellcats

When the CW’s early pick-ups came out a few weeks back, many were outraged freshman offering Nikita was not amongst the renewal confirmations. That concern has just been rectified by the network. The Maggie Q vehicle will be back for a second season, joining a slew of already announced old favorites, one surprise and plenty of new offerings.

The surprise in question is One Tree Hill. After narrowly avoiding cancellation a year ago, many thought the melodrama had run its course, but if there’s one thing the CW is short on, it’s established brands. One Tree Hill has the name recognition and built in fanbase to make itself at least marginally profitable, and it’s inclusion in the fall schedule gives the network a hint of stability.

Beyond Nikita and One Tree Hill, next year’s CW line-up will also include the return of Sarah Michelle Gellar. Her project, Ringer, was originally commissioned by CBS, but after the Tiffany Network passed, the CW jumped in to pick up the pieces. It follows its lead as she assumes a new identity and flees from the criminal underworld. Other new offerings include Hart Of Dixie, a rural medical drama, H8er, a reality show bringing celebrities face to face with their detractors and Secret Circle, a show about witches from the creators of Vampire Diaries.

With so many new shows added or returning, the CW has also been forced to make one more cut. The underperforming Hellcats will not get a second season. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it averaged less than two million viewers an episode all season. Its cancellation should not come as a shock. Even for the CW, those numbers are unacceptable, but it remains to be seen whether any of the new programs can top it.