Here's a few more articles that describe the possible futures of Buffy and/or Angel. The Buffy article is more negative than the NY Daily News article (although the quotes have to have come from the some news conference - I guess the tone of the articles reflects what angle the writer wanted to emphasize).

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http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton....ewswire&id=5301

UPN Hints That 'Buffy's' Slaying Days Numbered
By Scott Collins


LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) --- UPN may drive a stake through "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" at the end of this season.

Network officials said Sunday that they were exploring several options for the teen satire created by writer-producer Joss Whedon, including renewal or a possible spinoff. But with lackluster ratings and high costs because of a rich deal struck two years ago with producer 20th Century Fox Television, the odds seem to be running against "Buffy's" return, despite its status as one of UPN's most-recognizable series.

"I wouldn't bet that it comes back, but it's possible," CBS chief Leslie Moonves, whose responsibilities include UPN, said after a presentation at the press tour sponsored by the Television Critics Assn. in Hollywood.

Star Sarah Michelle Gellar is widely thought to be leaning toward focusing on her movie career, though Moonves added that "she hasn't said no" to reprising her TV role as a vampire killer.

But Moonves was emphatic on one point: The network is not about to hike its license fee for "Buffy," which currently stands at more than $2.3 million per episode. "We won't pay more than we're paying now," he said. "That I won't do. Remember, I didn't make (the previous 'Buffy') deal," he added, referring to UPN's previous management under network chief Dean Valentine. The network snatched "Buffy" from its rival, the WB Network, in a controversial deal in 2001.

During a fairly downbeat presentation with UPN entertainment president Dawn Ostroff, Moonves indicated that the money-losing network is under pressure to deliver new hits while continuing to get its financial house in order.

"People are looking for UPN to have a hit or two," Moonves said. "It's no secret that, from a ratings point-of-view, UPN is down year-to-year." He noted that many of those declines came in September and October as the Star Trek drama "Enterprise" fell off sharply from its freshman year.

Despite speculation, though, the network doesn't seem to have soured on the "Trek" franchise. " 'Enterprise,' as far as we know, will be back," Ostroff said in response to a reporter's query.

The network is also likely to renew "WWE Smackdown!," which has been pure profit for UPN because the WWE pays a straight fee to broadcast the show. Moonves said "there are other (financial) models being discussed (for 'Smackdown!'), it is very possible it could stay the way it is."

In the meantime, UPN continues its quest to attract A-level talent to the network, striking development deals with Will Smith, Danny DeVito, Mel Gibson, Wes Craven, Ron Howard and others.

One upcoming show being closely watched is "Platinum," a drama about the hip-hop music industry that features tie-ins with sister channel MTV. Moonves said he hoped the show could help bridge UPN's various audiences, including blacks who show up for Monday night comedies and young white males who tune into wrestling.

"I want (UPN) to be viewed as a younger network, a hipper network," Moonves said.

For all its programming challenges, though, executives say UPN is turning the corner financially. Moonves noted that UPN, which has cumulatively lost more than $1 billion for parent company Viacom and former partner Chris Craft, "is in far better financial shape than in its entire eight-year history."

While declining to predict when the network might actually achieve profitability, Moonves noted that ad revenue last year was 25% higher than in 2001.

"You can't change on a dime," Moonves said of the turnaround efforts. "We don't make predictions on how long it's going to take."

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/cgi/gofuton....ewswire&id=5302

WB Net Touts New Shows, Profits
By Nellie Andreeva


LOS ANGELES (The Hollywood Reporter) ---
...The network has not started talks with 20th Century Fox TV yet on the studio's drama "Angel," whose deal expires at the end of the season. A bitter spat between the two sides in 2000 over the series' predecessor, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," led to "Buffy's" switch to UPN. "Angel" "has improved creatively this season. ... We're hopeful that it will perform (in its new Wednesday time slot) and will continue on the WB," Levin said. ...

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I had thought that Angel's contract extended to a fifth season with the WB, but I guess I was wrong. Now I don't know whether Angel will be back or not. If the WB and Fox fight like they did last time, I wouldn't bet on Angel returning. It's possible no Joss Whedon show will be on next season - hopefully, this won't happen, but its a definite possibility.

-M.W.-

i feel all of josh's creative energy has gone to "angel " this season. just look at the difference in the 2 shows. i hope angel has a 5th season!!

I think Buffy is a better show than Angel, and if I had to choose for one to continue, I'd pick Buffy. It's not looking good for an 8th season...if both shows are off the air next year, primetime television will be HORRIBLE...
I expect UPN to go bankrupt in a couple years ...with or without Buffy.

CBS should throw in some UPN ads once in awhile like FOX and NBC do with their respective networks. $2.3 mil, how much does a Friends episode cost?

I don't know, but each cast member gets $1 million an episode.

Ah, thanks for clearing that up, otherwise I would be thinking a 30 minute Friends' episode costs 1 mil, while Buffy for an hour costs 2.3 mil, and Friends' dominates the ratings charts. . Maybe we need another "minor" network outside of the big 4.

all depends on whos take you read.
much better to read what was said and ignore the writers words so you can draw your own conclusion.
doing so simply says UPN wants to keep buffy going and it's up to sarah if it does. but they are not willing to
spend more on it.

They'd have to cut costs somewhere then. SMG is going to want a bigger contract, and UPN is probably going to downgrade the per-episode offer. (***SPOILER REMOVED: PLEASE BE CAREFUL WITH SPOILERS***)