The CW seems to be remaking itself in Riverdale's image

The Ringer

Following the departures of distinctive shows like Jane the Virgin and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, The CW is leaning on what works: the two "related but separate branches" of Greg Berlanti's "fiefdom," the Arrowverse and the Riverdale school of shows, says Alison Herman. "The CW is already working to expand Riverdale’s footprint beyond its narrative universe," she says. "Between Batwoman and Nancy Drew, the network is committed to making nostalgia staples a little bit grimmer and a whole lot sexier—a younger network’s version of CBS continuing to crank out new multicam sitcoms. Because in the face of growing uncertainty, why not stick with what works?" Herman adds: "Larded with voice-overs and Ariana Grande syncs, neither Batwoman nor Nancy Drew makes for especially novel storytelling. They are, however, smart choices for deepening the CW’s reputation as a magnet for savvy teens and the 20-somethings they grow into. They’re a demographic raised on IP, but jaded enough by it to need a postmodern twist; they didn’t grow up reading comics or paperback page-turners, but they’re saturated with enough culture to get the references. And if Riverdale could grab their attention with a nonstop barrage of musical episodes and paranormal subplots, maybe Nancy Drew and Kate Kane can help hold it."