The CW Releases 2015 Summer Schedule

Continuing to bolster its schedule with more year-round original programming, The CW Network has set its summer premiere dates, including the series debuts of SIGNIFICANT MOTHER, DATES and A WICKED OFFER, the return of magic series PENN AND TELLER: FOOL US and MASTERS OF ILLUSION, and Cycle 22 of AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL. As previously announced, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST will premiere its 13-episode third season as part of The CW's 2015 summer line-up on Thursday, May 21 (8:00-9:00 pm ET).

The magic competition series PENN & TELLER: FOOL US returns with all new episodes Monday, July 6 (8:00-9:00 p.m. ET). PENN & TELLER: FOOL US is a one-hour competition series celebrating magic and featuring the legendary duo Penn & Teller. On each episode of PENN & TELLER: FOOL US, aspiring magicians are invited to perform their best trick to try and fool the world-famous team of Penn & Teller. Anyone who succeeds wins the right to perform with Penn & Teller in their celebrated show at the Rio Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas. The live studio audience and the TV audience watch along with Penn & Teller as they try to figure out the secrets. Penn & Teller see the trick only once, and have to immediately try to work it out. The live studio audience knows there are no camera tricks, secret edits or helpful camera cuts. This is all real magic. Hosted by Jonathan Ross, PENN & TELLER: FOOL US is created and produced by 117 PRODUCTIONS and September Films (part of DCD Media), with executive producers Penn Jillette, Teller, Peter Adam Golden, and Andrew Golder.

'Beauty and the Beast' Season 3 Premieres May 21, CW Renews for 2015-16

The third season of fan favorite drama Beauty and the Beast will begin its 13-episode run on Thursday, May 21 at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW Network. In addition, The CW announced on Friday that Beauty and the Beast has also been renewed a fourth season, which will air later the 2015-2016 season.

As season three begins, Cat (Kristin Kreuk) and Vincent (Jay Ryan) are able to focus on their love, finally free from Muirfield, manhunts and beasts. However, that love will be tested as new and more dangerous threats await. When they learn that innocent victims are being used to test the boundaries of the impossible, Cat and Vincent will uncover a deeper conspiracy, one which Vincent can fight only by turning to the beast he carries within. But unleashing the beast will risk Vincent’s life – along with his and Cat's love – as they struggle to build a normal life together.

Beauty and the Beast is produced by CBS Television Studios in association with Take 5 Productions/Whizbang Films with executive producers Brad Kern, Bill Haber, Paul J. Witt & Tony Thomas, Ron Koslow, Frank Siracusa and John Weber, with Sherri Cooper & Jennifer Levin as consultants.

'Beauty and the Beast' Returns with Most-Watched Episode in More than a Year

Jay Ryan as Vincent – Photo Credit: Ben Mark Holzberg/The CW

With Whose Line Is It Anyway? on its new night and the return of Beauty and the Beast, last night was The CW's most watched Monday night (1.36M) and best A18-34 (0.4/1) for the night since 12/30/13 (iHeartRadio Music Festival). It was The CW's most watched Monday with regularly scheduled programming since 5/14/12.

With back to back episodes of Whose Line at 8 p.m., The CW had its most watched (1.62M) hour in the time period in three years (since 5/16/11).

At 9 p.m., Beauty And The Beast returned with its most watched episode (1.1M) since last season's finale on 5/16/13.

BATB was also up 39% in total viewers from its last original episode, and doubled its A18-49 (0.4/1) rating. It was up 50% in A18-34 (0.3/1).

The CW 2014 Fall Schedule

The CW Network presented its 2014-15 broadcast schedule today to advertisers, affiliates and national media at New York City Center in New York City.

"This is a different CW than we were just a few years ago. Our audience is broader and more inclusive than it has ever been, and we are growing on-air and on all digital platforms," said Mark Pedowitz, President, The CW.

"We just finished our most-watched season in three years, and our schedule is as strong as it has ever been, with more vibrant and more diverse programming. Next season, with super hero action shows like "Arrow" and "The Flash," epic fantasies like "The Vampire Diaries" and "Reign," the apocalyptic worlds of "The Messengers" and "The 100," and the outrageous comedy of "Jane the Virgin" and "Whose Line Is It Anyway?," we will build and expand our audience even more, and keep our momentum going with the kind of high-octane, high-impact entertainment that our viewers love."

The CW will launch its fall season in October 2014, with premiere dates to be announced at a later time.