The Originals type TV Show network The CW

The biggest foes for the bloodsuckers on CW’s Vampire Diaries spin-off The Originals this fall aren’t in New Orleans; they’re in the show’s timeslot Tuesday nights at 8 p.m.

Come September, the series from TVD creator Julie Plec will go head-to-head against the buzzy Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and television’s highest-rated show, NCIS, among others. But CW president Mark Pedowitz today told reporters at the Television Critics Association press tour that he isn’t worried about its ratings. “We’re comfortable where it’s sitting,” he said when asked if the network ever considered a timeslot switch.

“We believe these are people that the fans have known for the last three years and we hope that built-in equity allows the fans to come. And we hope Julie Plec, who is such a talented showrunner, will create a show that allows others to come,” he said. “I’m actually somewhat confident that that will continue its fanbase that’s very different than Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.“

Moreover, when asked of a possible crossover, Pedowitz said those are “not the intent,” as he hopes Originals will stand on its own. “If it’s organic, yes, but I’m a big believer that when you have a spin-off, it has to be self-sustaining,” he said.