'Tis the season for networks to reveal what they're going to do in early 2009, and the CW tipped its hand today.

The schedules are interesting for two reasons: they are an instant report card on which series have survived and they are proof that this year's TV season won't really kick in until January, when a number of highly anticipated shows return.

For the CW, that means a March return for Reaper, its critically loved show about a slacker who becomes the devil's bounty hunter. Tampa native JoAnna Garcia's Privileged also comes back to new episodes with the rebooted 90210 on Jan. 6. And a new unscripted competition, 13 -- Fear is Real, features a raft of competitors facing their deepest fears.

*

Click below to read the full press release:

       December 3, 2008 (Burbank, CA) € The CW Network has set its midseason schedule, featuring new episodes of its scripted series and the premiere of the scare-fest reality series “13 – Fear Is Real.”

The CW’s smash hit Monday lineup returns on January 5, with new episodes of sophomore sensation “GOSSIP GIRL” (8:00-9:00p.m. ET), followed by fan favorite “ONE TREE HILL” (9:00-10:00p.m. ET). 

Two freshman series return to the Tuesday lineup on January 6 with new episodes of this season’s most buzzed-about series, “90210” (8:00-9:00p.m. ET), leading into the critical hit “PRIVILEGED” (9:00-10:00p.m. ET). 

The new Wednesday night schedule kicks off on January 7, featuring the premiere of new horror/reality series “13 – FEAR IS REAL” (8:00-9:00p.m. ET), in which 13 people compete to “stay alive” while facing their deepest fears in an all-out elimination competition and scare-fest.  An encore performance of “90210” (9:00-10:00p.m. ET) will follow the new series on Wednesday nights.

On Thursday, the heroic team of “SMALLVILLE” (8:00-9:00p.m. ET) and “SUPERNATURAL” (9:00-10:00p.m. ET) will return to The CW’s line-up with new episodes on January 15.

On Friday night, “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS” (8:00-8:30p.m. ET) and “THE GAME” (8:30-9:00p.m. ET) return to The CW’s comedy block with new episodes on January 9.   Encore performances of “13 – FEAR IS REAL” will begin airing Friday nights on January 9.

The Devil and his minions will be back on the trail of evil-doers when “REAPER” returns to the schedule on Tuesday, March 17 (9:00-10:00p.m. ET).

Following is The CW’s midseason schedule:

Monday

8:00-9:00 p.m.               “GOSSIP GIRL” (New Episodes Begin January 5)

9:00-10:00 p.m.             “ONE TREE HILL” (New Episodes Begin January 5)

Tuesday

8:00-9:00 p.m.               “90210” (New Episodes Begin January 6)

9:00-10:00 p.m.             “PRIVILEGED” (New Episodes Begin January 6)

Wednesday 

8:00-9:00 p.m.               “13 – FEAR IS REAL” (Series Premiere January 7)

9:00-10:00 p.m.             “90210” (Encore Episodes Begin January 7)

Thursday

8:00-9:00 p.m.               “SMALLVILLE” (New Episodes Begin January 15)

9:00-10:00 p.m.             “SUPERNATURAL” (New Episodes Begin January 15)

Friday

8:00-8:30 p.m.               “EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS” (New Episodes Begin January 9)

8:30-9:00 p.m.               “THE GAME” (New Episodes Begin January 9)

9:00-10:00 p.m.             “13 – FEAR IS REAL” (Encore Episodes Begin January 9)

Tuesday (Beginning March 17)

8:00-9:00 p.m.               “90210”

9:00-10:00 p.m.             “REAPER”