Here's Why The CW Is Waiting to Renew All American

The CW kicked off its presentation at the Television Critics Association winter press tour Thursday by renewing 10 of its current programs. However, freshman drama All American was suspiciously absent from the pick-up list, which leaves the show's fate in jeopardy until the network makes decisions on its fall schedule in May.

Network boss Mark Pedowitz addressed journalists' concerns about the future of the show, which is executive-produced by CW super-producer Greg Berlanti and his husband Robbie Rogers. Pedowitz said the network is very proud to have the drama on the air.

"We are extremely proud of that show. We think the production quality and storytelling of that show are up there with Jane[the Virgin] and Crazy Ex [-Girlfriend]. At this point, this is nothing to do about the show," he said. "We are going to sit down in May and figure out what our needs are at that moment. I am very positive about it. It'll be a conversation with the scheduling room, but it is a show that I am proud to support."

Discover your new favorite show: Watch This Now!

When pressed again about why it was one of the only shows currently on the slate to not get picked up, Pedowitz said that The CW is waiting for the Netflix numbers to come in. The show hits the streaming platform at the end of March.

"One of the things that will happen is that we're running the full 16 episodes. The show will stay on the air. ... It will make it up on Netflix around March 30 or March 31. We're going to be curious to see how it does with a round of streaming, and that'll help give us more determination," he said.

Netflix performance has been a key component in CW renewals in the past. As Pedowitz shared with journalists, the first year of The CW's deal with the streaming network, which puts CW shows up eight days after their respective season finales, led to bumps for Supernaturaland Jane the Virgin. The deal also led to a 200 percent audience increase between the first and second seasons of Riverdale.

All American centers on Spencer James (Daniel Ezra), a high school football player from Crenshaw who transfers to Beverly Hills for a batter chance of making it out of his neighborhood. The first season currently averages a 0.24 rating, putting it above only Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Dynasty on the network. The former is ending this season and Dynasty was included in the list of renewals released earlier Thursday.

All American airs Wednesdays at 9/8c on The CW.

(Disclosure: TV Guide is owned by CBS Interactive, a division of CBS Corporation.)