The CW has pulled off a tricky act across the last several years — airing programming that appeals to a wide audience, as befits a broadcast network, while also serving the LBGTQ+ community with a range of relevant, colorful characters. Fully 80% of the network’s scripted shows in 2021-2022 feature characters representing the LGBTQ+ community. 

It’s a mission The CW takes very seriously. “As a network, The CW is in the business of inclusive storytelling which begins with acknowledging that our audience and society-at-large is diverse and filled with a wide range of lifestyles and cultural values,” said Mark Pedowitz, chairman and CEO, The CW. 

The mission goes back at least a decade for The CW. The network had the first transgender superhero, in Nia Nal/Dreamer from Supergirl, portrayed by Nicole Maines; the first Black lesbian superhero in Anissa Pierce/Thunder from Black Lightning, played by Nafessa Williams; and the first lesbian superhero to headline a series, as was the case with Kate Kane of Batwoman, who was played by Ruby Rose. 

After Rose departed the series, Javicia Leslie was cast as Ryan Wilder, a skilled-but-undisciplined fighter who becomes the new Batwoman after finding the Batsuit in an airplane crash. Wilder gave The CW its first Black lesbian superhero to headline her own show. 

In April, The CW launched the My CW Story campaign, which celebrates viewers who have been empowered by CW characters to live their true lives. As part of Pride Month, The CW rolled out the stories of James, a transgender man inspired by Supergirl’s Nia Nal, and Julia, a bisexual woman inspired by Riverdale’s Cheryl Blossom (played by Madelaine Petsch). 

Gaye Hirsch heads development for The CW, Michael Roberts oversees programming, and Dana Theodoratos heads up casting. Network executives have said that showcasing characters who represent a diverse America helps combat ignorance and injustice, and inspires positive change in the nation and beyond. Diverse characters also make for more authentic storytelling.

“On every level at The CW and in partnership with our incredibly passionate creative talent on both sides of the camera, we continue to work to ensure the LGBTQ community is seen and heard,” Pedowitz said, “as we continue to focus on telling genuine and credible stories that not only reflect the world we live in, but also the world we all want it to be.”

The CW’s efforts to represent the LGBTQ+ community will be recognized on Wednesday, July 23, at The Pride Leadership Awards, a virtual event from B+C, Multichannel News and Next TV for outstanding leadership or extraordinary courage displayed in the efforts to present LGBTQ+-themed television content. To watch the Pride TV Leadership Awards, register for the Pride TV Summit at pridetvsummit.com. 

The sixth and final season of Supergirl is on The CW starting March 30. Melissa Benoist stars in the action-adventure drama based on the DC character. 

The series is about 12-year-old Kara, who escaped the doomed planet Krypton and came to Earth, where she was raised by a foster family. Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex (Chyler Leigh), and learned to hide the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin, Superman. 

Years later, Kara was living in National City and still concealing her powers, when a plane crash threatened Alex’s life and Kara took to the sky to save her. Now, Kara balances her work as a reporter for CatCo Worldwide Media with her work as Supergirl.

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David Harewood, Jesse Rath, Nicole Maines, Azie Tesfai and Katie McGrath are also in the cast. 

Based on characters from DC created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster, Supergirl is from Berlanti Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television. Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Robert Rovner, Jessica Queller and Rob Wright executive produce Supergirl. 

Speaking of superheroes, The CW shared that rookie Superman & Lois, which launched Feb. 23, will go on a brief hiatus due to what the network called a “COVID-related production interruption.” It returns May 18.

The 47th year of Comic-Con, the country’s longest-run comics and popular arts convention comes back with talents both old and new. TBS and Conan return, with new partnerships AT&T and Snickers, with much to offer. Conan and AT&T are bringing in-broadcast virtual reality with 360-degree camera angles. Fans that couldn’t make it to the convention will have virtual reality access to the shows at San Diego’s Spreckels Theatre which includes on-stage interviews, audience interaction and more.

At TBS’s Comic-Con International booth, attendees will receive a VR headset shaped like a Conan Pop! Vinyl figure to get a 360-degree peek into Conan O’Brien’s world.

O’Brien will have the casts of Suicide Squad, Supergirl,Game of Thrones, and more on his late-night show right next to the San Diego Convention Center.

Snickers is playing up on their “You’re not you when you’re hungry” campaign with fans dressing up as fictional superheroes created for the event.

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Syfy is debuting their first-ever live broadcast, Syfy Presents Live From Comic-Con, hosted by Will Arnett. Those unable to attend Comic-Con in person can tune-in so they don’t miss a thing. Norman Reedus (The Walking Dead), Elijah Wood (Dirk Gently), the cast of Mr. Robot, Jamie Alexander (Blindspot), Tony Hale (Veep), Will Forte (Last Man On Earth), and Zachary Levi (Heroes Reborn) are to appear in the broadcast. Each night, Arnett and his team will discuss the convention’s breaking news, insider party coverage, and exclusive content of upcoming films and TV series, like Star Trek Beyond.

Cast and creators of Syfy’s The Magicians and The Expanse and USA’s Mr. Robot and Colony will appear at panels over the weekend at SDCC. New fall shows Incorporated (Syfy) and Falling Water (USA) will feature exclusive pilot screenings. Mr. Robot made its Comic-Con debut this year, with discussion of the series’ second season, moderated by Chris Hardwick.

On Friday, July 22, WGN’s Salem will have a panel event, unveiling an extended sneak peak followed by an audience Q&A. WGN America released the season three full-length trailer for the supernatural thriller, set to premiere Halloween week this year.

Outside of the Convention Center, there is more to do, with FX and Fox’s three-story Mount Zephyria Mighty Rock Climb & Free Fall. Adult Swim’s carnival is set up right next to it.

Fear the Walking Dead will have a panel with the cast and executive producers Friday July 22. A Fear the Walking Dead yacht will be open to attendees wanting to experience life aboard the Abigail for the duration of Comic-Con, located at Fifth Avenue Pier behind the Convention Center.

AMC’s new late-night talk show, Geeking Out premieres Sunday, July 24, specially covering all things Comic-Con. Comic Book Men’s Kevin Smith and Heroes’ Greg Grunberg host. Smith and Grunberg give viewers an all-access VIP pass through the convention. A preview of Star Trek Beyond and a look into the cosplayers who show up at Comic-Con are in the episode, among interviews and first-looks.

Comedy Central brings the raunchiness they’re known for at SDCC with Drunk History, South Park 20 Experience, and The Meltdown with Jonah and Kumail. There are panels featuring Drunk History, new animated series Legends of Chamberlain Heights and South Park 20. South Park celebrates its 20th season with screenings of episodes, artwork, and more. In addition, music artist, That Poppy, will broadcast the events on Comedy Central’s Snapchat.

The BBC America booth returns back to Comic-Con, with merchandise from Doctor Who, Sherlock, and Orphan Black, featuring item exclusive only to the convention.

Nickelodeon and The Splat brings the ultimate 90’s throwback experience for SDCC this year, with games, panels, signings and more. Legends of the Hidden Temple, Hey Arnold!, Double Dare, Aaah!!! Real Monsters, Rocko’s Modern Life, and Invader Zim are some of the featured shows that are at the convention. Nickelodeon’s booth will feature a VR 360-experience into the upcoming Legends of the Hidden Temple live-action TV movie, allowing fans to experience the Mayan temple first-hand. Signings by the cast of All That, Legends of the Hidden Temple, SpongeBob SquarePants, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles are few of many opportunities at the convention.

Disney XD’s new series, DuckTales, debuted a collectible comic, DuckTales Cinestory Volume 1which will be available until September 27 of this year. Exclusive teaser art from the series appears on the back of the comic, which retells the first five episodes of the original DuckTales TV show.

FX brings exclusive video content and Q&A’s for the cast and creators of The Strain and Archer.

Cartoon Network’s Screening and Costume Ball returns to SDCC, offering an inside look at hit shows and sneak peaks. We Bare Bears and The Powerpuff Girls make their panel debuts.