Fans of  when The CW network passed on greenlighting , a long-in-the-works spinoff of the Winchesterian world. Now we know why.

CW head honcho Mark Pedowitz was asked about the decision in an Upfront call with advertisers, according to . (It was the first question asked; everyone, it seems, is curious about the unexpected move, since  seemed like a shoo-in.) Pedowitz explained:

This all feels rather like damning with faint praise, but Pedowitz also made it clear that The CW “did not feel [] was where it needed to be to go forward with it this year,” which means hope for the project may not be entirely lost.

That’s not hugely reassuring to fans who’ve long been excited at the prospect of a female-oriented spinoff of , but it’s .

I’m still wondering what went wrong since  was in development for more than two years with creative heavyweights on board, and is a series that the CW will seemingly never let die and seeks to make immortal. A sister show would have made a lot of sense.

Ultimately, the network bet on its other long-running supernatural-oriented property, ordering , a new show from universe.  merges characters from both shows, and will follow “the next generation of supernatural beings” as they study at the Salvatore School for the Young and Gifted.

The school is a sort of Virginian Hogwarts for young vampires, werewolves, witches, and what have you that was founded by Caroline Forbes and Alaric Saltzman in Damon and Stefan Salvatore’s old mansion at the end of TVD.

Klaus Mikaelson’s daughter Hope will be attending, as will Alaric Saltzman’s twins Josie and Lizzie, and, if I know Mystic Falls, a whole bunch of other, well,  from the fancy old founding families in town. Here’s the official synopsis, courtesy of :

Now, I’m definitely, 100% biased because  was a guilty pleasure of mine for many years, but I have to say I also see the logic of this series order.

The CW is a network aimed at young adults, and they’ve had particular success with high school-set shows and those made with high schoolers in mind.

A school full of angsty magical adolescents that is already grounded in a known universe for fans makes a lot of sense and I can already see myself tuning in out of nostalgia if nothing else. It’s just a shame that a choice had to be made between and ; their pitches were very different and it seems that there could’ve been room for both spinoffs. Is there really such a thing as too much supernatural TV?

(via , images: The CW)