Post-realignment
Since 2006, The CW and MyNetworkTV have struggled mightily in the Nielsen ratings despite the CW showing initial signs of promise. The CW has usually finished fifth in the Nielsen ratings, even falling behind Spanish-language network Univision at times. Additionally, concerns regarding the future of the CW led Tribune to begin rebranding its CW affiliates in a way that deemphasized its CW affiliation, and another major CW affiliate ownership group, Pappas Telecasting, cited the CW's poor performance as a factor in its Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing. Pappas has since winded down operations.
In 2008, the CW outsourced its five-hour Sunday block to Media Rights Capital (MRC) in order to concentrate on its weekday schedule. The eventual Sunday lineup performed poorly in the ratings and eventually the CW gave back its Sunday time to local affiliates in the fall of 2009, rendering itself a weeknight-only network. After September 26, 2008, WWE Friday Night SmackDown left the CW for MyNetworkTV in large part due to the CW's newfound focus on targeting 18- to 34-year old female viewers; SmackDown moved to cable network Syfy in October 2010.
Since its launch, MyNetworkTV has struggled to gain an audience. In 2009, it was announced that the network would convert to a syndicated programming service, and since SmackDown moved to Syfy in October 2010, MyNetworkTV has been devoid of first-run programming other than that shared with syndicators. In many markets it now shares channel space with other minor networks such as America One, This TV and Me-TV and is more apt to air out of primetime on several affiliates.
Read more about this topic: 2006 United States Broadcast TV Realignment