CHICAGO (thefutoncritic.com) -- As no doubt expected, the WB gave early 2004-05 season renewals to "Everwood" and "Smallville" over the weekend.
The pair join previous pick-ups "7th Heaven," "Charmed" and "Gilmore Girls" as the Frog's already large returning drama class this fall. The news leaves "One Tree Hill" as the network's only drama whose fate is still up in the air.
As previously reported (read the story), "Smallville" and "Everwood" are down 26.42% and 9.00% respectively this season in year-to-year first-run comparisons. Nevertheless, "Smallville's" switch to Wednesdays has helped build the network's Wednesday, 8:00/7:00c time period average by a whopping 62.85%, the most by any relocated series on the broadcast networks so far this season.
"Smallville" also remains the Frog's top-rated series in the network's target demographic of persons 12-34, not to mention its top draw in adults 18-34 and adults 18-49. The series will enter its fourth season this fall.
As for "Everwood," despite its modest decline overall, the sophomore drama has managed to increase its retention rate of lead-in "7th Heaven" from 75.10% to 78.54% on average this season.
Greg Berlanti and Mickey Liddell are the executive producers of "Everwood," while Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, Greg Beeman, Mike Tollin, Brian Robbins, Joe Davola and Ken Horton serve as the executive producers of "Smallville," both of which come from Warner Bros. Television.
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