What exactly was the purpose of UPN and WB?

[crt89]

I remember when I was younger (I'm only nearly 30 so maybe this is too recent for the forum,) the channels UPN and WB. I always thought these were like the lesser tier stations to FOX, CBS, NBC and ABC.

UPN seemed to be mostly science fiction shows and maybe a few sitcoms, IIRC. WB was mostly shows that I'd hear people talk about as I got into middle school and high school, but I never watched them. So I got the idea that this was for teens and young adults. But ironically I remember my grandma used to watch at least one series on WB. I remember hearing a lot at school about Everwood and One Tree Hill in high school specifically (ahh the early to late 2000s).

Also recall that UPN possibly aired a lot of movies on weekend afternoons back then, since we'd watch them then. I think Seinfeld aired after the movies.

Although the weekend movies was also a common thing with other independent stations that aired mostly syndicated series like Providence.

These days some cable station shows a block on Saturdays called One Magnificent Morning, which is either on or by the CW, and my mom watches the dog shows, or did up until recently. Not sure if still does. So possibly CW is now aimed at other ages too.

In a way I miss these kinds of independent stations and it seems even though we have cable now there aren't as many stations like this. I miss the afternoon movies and syndicated shows from the 80s and 90s.

Or maybe there are still channels like this, and I don't find them amidst all the channels. In ways I miss our old antenna TV. Not nearly as many channels as with cable but it was easier to decide on something to watch.