No network on TV seems to know its lane better than The CW. And while that lane may not be the widest or busiest, ranking a distant No. 5 among the English-language broadcasters with little expectation to climb much higher, the youth-skewing network has carved out a distinct brand of genre fare, critical-favored comedies and digitally consumed soaps.


The CW famously has few holes to fill. Network president Mark Pedowitz is more than generous with his renewals, but the coming season will see him add a Sunday block in October — freeing up space for even more new shows as it moves more and more toward year-round programming.


Comic-book fare remains the bread and butter, The Flash ranking No. 1 among all series. An overwhelming crossover event between its many sister series is now a marquee event of the network's fall. Black Lightning was a bold and fruitful addition to that universe in midseason, proving that the saturation point has yet to be reached. Elsewhere, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Jane the Virgin are beloved, if modest, performers that give the network more industry cred than it probably ever anticipated. (The 2018-19 season is expected to be the swan song for both.)


What eludes The CW is heirs to Jane and Crazy-Ex — ideally ones that draw more live viewers to the network, which averaged a 0.6 rating among adults 18-49 and 1.7 million viewers in primetime during the 2017-18 season. This season's newcomer Life Sentence has been a failure. Same goes for off-brand Valor. A reboot of Dynasty earned dismal linear returns, but the digital lift is said to have been significant (as is its Netflix SVOD deal).


The role alternative platforms play in The CW's decision-making can't be understated. Look no further than Riverdale for evidence of that. Its streaming lifts ensured a sophomore season, one that saw linear growth thanks to wild popularity on Netflix. Unusual of a model for success as that is, it may be The CW's moving forward.


RENEWED


Arrow | After saying farewell to a pair of original series regulars, the Stephen Amell-led DC Comics drama from Greg Berlanti will return for a seventh season — with a new showrunner.


Crazy Ex-Girlfriend | Never a ratings breakout but always a critical (and awards season) favorite, the dramedy starring Rachel Bloom and from showrunner Aline Brosh McKenna will likely end with a fourth season.


The Flash | The DC Comics-based speedster drama starring Grant Gustin and exec produced by Berlanti will be back for a fifth season as it continues to rank as the younger-skewing network's most-watched series.


Jane the Virgin | In the same category as Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, the Gina Rodriguez-led telenovela from showrunner Jennie Snyder Urman will likely wrap its run with season five.


Legends of Tomorrow | The Arrow-verse spinoff starring Brandon Routh and Caity Lotz will return for a fourth season, also with a new showrunner.


Riverdale | The Archie Comics-inspired drama from Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Berlanti will be back for a third season after a Netflix SVOD deal helped grow its sophomore returns. K.J. Apa, Camila Mendes, Lili Reinhart and Cole Sprouse star. A Sabrina-themed offshoot is also set at Netflix.


Supergirl | The Melissa Benoist-led DC Comics drama is coming back for a fourth season as The CW keeps its Arrow-verse firmly intact.


Supernatural | The network's longest-running drama is coming back for its 14th season as the drama starring Jensen Ackles, Jared Padalecki and Misha Collins remains a fan favorite. A female-led spinoff, Wayward Sisters, aired earlier this season and remains in contention for a series pickup.


Black Lightning | The fellow DC Comics drama — which exists outside the Arrow-verse, will be back for a second season. Cress Williams stars in the series from Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil and Berlanti.


Dynasty | The reboot, from Gossip Girl duo Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage, will be back for a second season thanks in part to strong digital returns and a lucrative SVOD deal at Netflix. Grant Show, Nathalie Kelley and Elizabeth Gillies star in the CBS TV Studios drama.


NEW SERIES


No new pickups yet.


ON THE BUBBLE/AWAITING WORD


The 100 | Jason Rothenberg's post-apocalyptic drama from Warner Bros. TV still retails a solid base of viewers after bringing the "Bury Your Gays" trope mainstream. Eliza Taylor and Paige Turco star.


iZombie | The Rob Thomas-produced drama, inspired by DC Comics' Vertigo title, stars Rose McIver and is from CBS Television Studios. The series returned in February and could see a fifth season given The CW's expansion to Sundays in the fall.


CANCELED


The Originals | The Vampire Diaries spinoff will wrap its run this year after five seasons, though the franchise will continue on as The CW is mulling another spinoff from showrunner Julie Plec.


Life Sentence | Despite a proven star in Pretty Little Liars grad Lucy Hale, the rookie drama from Warner Bros. Television and Bill Lawrence was bounced off the schedule and later moved to Fridays after mustering a 0.1 among adults 18-49. It is not expected to return.


Valor | The Matt Barr- and Christina Ochoa-led military drama — a passion project for The CW president Pedowitz — will be honorably discharged at the network after completing its initial 13-episode order run. For his part, Barr was rewarded for his service with the lead-in The CW pilot Skinny Dip.