CW announces fall premiere dates

The CW plans to kick off its fall lineup a tad later this year, launching with the premieres of "90210" and "Melrose Place" on Sept. 8.

Though that's early compared to most broadcast networks, it's a week later than CW's launch last fall, which began Sept 1. The network prefers to get a running heads start on competitors, but going early does have a cost -- top shows like "Gossip Girl" had more momentum-disrupting repeats than usual last season.

The CW is also the first broadcaster to alter a fall schedule announced at last month's upfronts, electing to swap the previously planned time periods for "Gossip Girl" and "One Tree Hill" on Mondays.

The midseason premiere date for the drama "Life Unexpected" will be announced later. Also, it seems the CW would like writers to call the show "Life UneXpected" (sigh, see paragraph 5 on this post).

UPDATED: THE 2009-10 BROADCAST TV SCHEDULE

Here's the CW’s fall premiere schedule:

Tuesday, Sept. 8
8:00-9:00 p.m.               “90210” (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m.             “MELROSE PLACE” (Series Premiere)

Wednesday, Sept. 9
8:00-10:00 p.m.             “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL” (2-Hour Season Premiere)

Thursday, Sept. 10
8:00-9:00 p.m.               “THE VAMPIRE DIARIES” (Series Premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m.             “SUPERNATURAL” (Season Premiere)

Monday, Sept. 14
8:00-9:00 p.m.               “ONE TREE HILL” (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m.             “GOSSIP GIRL” (Season Premiere)

Wednesday, Sept. 16
8:00-9:00 p.m.               “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL”
9:00-10:00 p.m.             “THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE: TBL” (Series Premiere)

Friday, Sept. 25
8:00-9:00 p.m.               “SMALLVILE” (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00 p.m.             “AMERICA’S NEXT TOP MODEL” (Encore Episodes)