The renewal of flagship series The Flash for a ninth season makes it The CW’s longest running Arrowverse series.

DEADLINE: The CW has handed early renewals to a large portion of its scripted schedule including The Flash.

The network also has renewed All American, The Flash, Kung Fu, Nancy Drew, Riverdale, Superman & Lois and Walker.

Traditionally, the youth-skewing network hands out early renewals, sometimes as early as January, to the majority of its slate – a boon for its owners CBS and Warner Bros.

However, this year, the broadcaster’s future is up in the air with local affiliate group Nexstar circling, and Deadline understands that a new majority owner likely would have a say in some of its renewal decisions. The network also needs to take into account elements such as streaming rights to shows and other variables that will determine a pickup.

The renewal of flagship series The Flash for a ninth season — making it the network’s longest-running Arrowverse series, taking over that mantle from Arrow, which ended after eight seasons — was paved earlier this year with the news that star Grant Gustin was in talks for a new deal. There’s no word from The CW yet as to whether Season 9 will be The Flash’s swan song.

Grant Gustin has a new deal for a potential Season 9 of The Flash

DEADLINE: The CW’s flagship DC series, The Flash, is headed to a ninth season. Star Grant Gustin is finalizing a new contract to return as the title character in the hit show, from Berlanti Productions and Warner Bros. Television, sources said.

I hear the pact Gustin has agreed to is for one year; a multi-year offer was on the table. According to sources, the new contract comes with a sizable raise for the actor whose salary is believed to be north of $200,000 an episode. I also hear Gustin has capped his involvement at 15 episodes next season.

With Gustin on board, The Flash is expected to be renewed for Season 9 by the CW and become the longest running Arrowverse series on the network, eclipsing anchor Arrow, which ended its run after eight seasons. It could be The Flash‘s final chapter.

The network usually picks up the vast majority of its current slate this time of year. Because of the potential CW majority ownership sale, the network may give early renewals to fewer shows this time, with The Flash fully expected to be on the list with continuing strong linear and digital performance.

There has been a lot of apprehension among The Flash fans whether Gustin would commit to another season, especially after Stephen Amell’s decision not to continue on Arrow at the same juncture led to that show’s end after eighth season. Because of The Flash’s great legacy at the CW, the decision had to be made before the series had wrapped production on Season 8 to give it a proper sendoff should Gustin opted to move on.