Three's normally a crowd, but for local TV station KEPR, there's nothing better than the power of three.

Last month KEPR TV, owned by Fisher Communications in Seattle, launched a digital subchannel with The CW Network in addition to its existing CBS affiliation and Univision affiliate, KUNW.

Russell Myerson, executive vice president of The CW Network, flew in from Hollywood, Calif., this week to meet with KEPR and local advertisers.

Myerson explained that while most businesses are contracting their products, Fisher Broadcasting is focused on expanding their programming.

"This is the third TV station that they're launching here in the Tri-City area," Myerson said. "So as everyone else is contracting, they're re-investing in the marketplace and they're re-investing with the CW, so now they have three separate TV stations ... under one roof."

KEPR CW will broadcast a six-night, 13-hour primetime lineup that runs Sunday through Friday. These shows include America's Next Top Model, Gossip Girl, 90210, Smallville and One Tree Hill.

Other popular programs, such as Everybody Hates Chris, Supernatural, King of Queens, Sex & the City, American Idol Rewind, will be in rotation. On Saturday mornings cartoons and court shows will air.

"It's a real great group of programming to supplement again what KEPR's been doing on the CBS side and the Univision side," Myerson said.

The CW has been popular among women between the ages of 18-34 and Myerson predicts the same results in the Tri-Cities. He also hopes to capitalize on TV switching to digital form by June 12.

KEPR Station Manager David Praga explained from a local aspect, the CW will air local news at 10 p.m. and have plans to add a half-hour morning news program this year.

Myerson's previous work includes helping launch several cable networks, such as the Game Show Network in 1994 and working for the CW's predecessor The WB.