Errol

Agreed. A hybrid model is the way to go, and is even more evident now that studios that own TV networks are seeing the potential in airing originally ordered as streaming exclusive series and placing them on their broadcast networks months later. ABC did it with Hulu's "Only Murders in the Building," CBS is doing it this summer with Paramount+'s "Tulsa King," and NBC has done it with several shows on Peacock, along with Disney+ shows on ABC. A hybrid model is the way of the future. Not exclusively broadcast or streaming. That's where I see things going. TV networks will NEVER go away in the sense that CBS will be canceled in five years. Despite reduced eye balls, only on CBS can 120+ million people watch the Super Bowl without a glitch all at once. You can't even dare think to do that (with current technology) on a streamer. Even Netflix is not immune to performance glitches for their live shows. The worst they'll have to deal with is in 2025 when they have live WWE programming from "Monday Night RAW."

I'm just going to say this. Personally, streaming is NOT the future of soaps. It's an element of where soaps can be watched. As evidenced by the recent streaming failures across the industry, there isn't truly any shows that will survive long-term on a streaming service. Some of the most watched shows don't even go beyond five or six seasons, if they are lucky, and they only get 6-10 episodes a season. Yes, of course, it'll be available on Paramount+, or whatever that eventually evolves into by the time the show (hopefully) reaches the air. That's not in question. I think what bothers me about today's announcement, and this has nothing to do whatsoever with your post or you, John, in particular, but people can't seem to read. I can't tell you how many people asked when is it going to air or where is it going to air when it is clearly stated it's for CBS. Countless people on social are asking if this is going to Paramount+ and I'm like...not even in the PR about it was Paramount+ even mentioned.

That's why I never got around to doing a story on it. Just that detail. Nothing further. Not on the record at least.

I meant to do a story on this awhile ago, but Martha Byrne and Lauralee Bell are also developing a new soap opera together as well. Lauralee mentioned it to me on the Emmys red carpet.

Not sure if this analogy makes sense, but let's try: If you spend $20 because you are cheap and get $2 back on your purchase/investment, you've now lost $18. However, if you spend $30 and get back $18, you've only lost $12. In the end, cheap is cheap, but if you lose more money than you've spent, what have you really gained?

Marking her first day back on set since October, Cassandra James announced on Threads that she is returning to “General Hospital,” where she appears as Terry Randolph. “First day on set since October. Almost half a year,” noted James on Meta-owned Threads, a rival platform to X (formerly Twitter), of how long since she was last at the Prospect Studios where the soap opera tapes. “Choosing gratitude because I know most actors have waited longer. Just imagine if the job you trained to do, that you’re good at and you love was consistently demonstrated to be ephemeral. That having a second job was not only normalized but systemically suggested. When you come home and stream our work on your TV, artists are wondering why we rarely feel valued enough to make our job a living.” James, who is trans, first appeared on “General Hospital” in June 2018. Her character was introduced as a childhood male friend of Elizabeth’s (Rebecca Herbst) who, in story, transitioned later in life to be their authentic self. The character became a hit with fans, and James has appeared in a recurring capacity ever since. In 2021, James took to Instagram after former co-star Ingo Rademacher (ex-Jasper “Jax” Jacks) shared a transphobic post on his Instagram story. “I am aware of a transphobic post shared by a fellow ‘General Hospital’ actor,” said James on Instagram in response to Rademacher’s post at the time. “Shame on you. You have some serious unlearning and education to do. I feel deeply disappointed that such a public display of ignorance could come from our ‘GH’ family.” James added to the post, saying, “Misgendering trans folks is violence and if you come for one of us, you come for all of us. The cis world doesn’t get to decide which of us is valuable. I am so proud of the fans for always holding us to a high standard, for calling out transphobia and violence.” There is no word yet on when fans can expect James to return on-screen. However, her character’s return will mark the first time James will appear under the show’s new head writing team, led by Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte. Their material is set to begin airing in the next couple of episodes. The two replace outgoing writers Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor. Note: The post Cassandra James Back to ‘General Hospital’ appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

As the show is only in development, everything relating to casting, location, length, etc, is currently being discussed behind the scenes. One thing is for sure: soaps take longer to get off the ground, but with the way things are done in daytime and TV in general these days, it's possible this show could be up and running as early as October. Or it could debut as late as fall 2025. We'll see. Either way, the way it was announced and what I know about the way it was announced, I would doubt it doesn't get a full series pickup. Especially with all parties involved. As noted by another poster, P&G isn't getting back into the soap game, especially with such an acclaimed writer as Michele Val Jean, to produce shit. So, I'm going on a limb and say this gets ordered. MVJ is the MVP of daytime soaps, soap operas, and daytime dramas. Tell me otherwise, and I'll slap you! Haha.

Potential Lineups (using CBS NY scheduling), assuming late 2024/2025 or 2025-2026 TV season. Scenario A ("The Gates" is one-hour, "The Talk" is canceled): 10:00 AM - Let's Make a Deal 11:00 AM - The Price is Right 12:30 PM - The Young and the Restless 1:30 PM - The Bold and the Beautiful 2:00 PM - The Gates Scenario B ("The Gates" is one-hour, "The Talk" is canceled): 10:00 AM - Let's Make a Deal 11:00 AM - The Price is Right 12:30 PM - The Young and the Restless 1:30 PM - The Gates 2:30 PM - The Bold and the Beautiful Scenario C ("The Talk" stays on, "The Gates" replaces "The Bold and the Beautiful" -- not likely): 10:00 AM - Let's Make a Deal 11:00 AM - The Price is Right 12:30 PM - The Young and the Restless 1:30 PM - The Gates 2:00 PM - The Talk Scenario D ("The Talk" stays on but as half-hour, "The Gates" replaces "The Bold and the Beautiful" -- not likely): 10:00 AM - Let's Make a Deal 11:00 AM - The Price is Right 12:30 PM - The Young and the Restless 1:30 PM - The Gates 2:30 PM - The Talk Scenario E ("The Talk" stays on but as half-hour, "The Gates" is half-hour😞 10:00 AM - Let's Make a Deal 11:00 AM - The Price is Right 12:30 PM - The Young and the Restless 1:30 PM - The Bold and the Beautiful 2:00 PM - The Gates 2:30 PM - The Talk Scenario F (terrible lineup, IMO -- "The Talk" stays on but as half-hour, "The Gates" is half-hour): 10:00 AM - Let's Make a Deal 11:00 AM - The Price is Right 12:30 PM - The Young and the Restless 1:30 PM - The Bold and the Beautiful 2:00 PM - The Talk 2:30 PM - The Gates

Three hours after I got the PR (yes, I was sitting on it), and I'm still crying. I'll take either option, but you're point is valid. It would be easier to sell a daily soap as a half-hour one, but they need another half-hour show to work it in the schedule. The only other "half-hour" show they have is Drew Barrymore, but that's only based on a technicality, and the show airs way too early in the morning on the CBS Owned stations for it to help in any way (if at all). That, and Drew is syndicated. Although it moved down a slot, #TheGates is now part of the "Soap operas - Trending" category on X (formerly Twitter):

What I find most interesting about The Gates, besides P&G being back in the game, is that we have never truly had a "showrunner" for a daytime soap since maybe William J. Bell for Y&R/B&B. And, I don't ever recall five executive producers for a daytime soap opera. So, this seems different. Modern. In a good way.

Yeah, when I first saw the title I was taken aback. While the title could eventually change, CBS did not indicate this as a "working title" as networks tend to do when they aren't sure on a name for a show. As an example, last's week's spinoff of NCIS with Tony and Ziva. It doesn't have a title yet.

#TheGates is trending: https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TheGates&src=trend_click&vertical=trends

The biggest markets have GH in its original slot, which would be after this potential new series. That said, if this does go to series, in the markets GH does air at 2:00, this could mark the first time since DAYS was on TV that soaps will go head to head, and the first time in a complete head to head battle since ATWT/OLTL were on at 2:00 p.m., if this is where it goes and if it is ordered. Who's __ do I got to suck or eat to get this series ordered at CBS? Haha. Balls in your court ABC...you know GMA3 is not long for this Earth.

After the pandemic, they need a show to get people to buy their products through. Saves them money from having to spend it on advertising the products themselves. Just saying...

I wouldn't expect anything less. They'd have to develop another show to fill an hour slot, or have B&B finally become an hour which won't happen due to international distribution deals. The fact CBS will actually OWN a soap opera for the first time ever, even more reason to make it an hour. More ad dollars and better for streaming eye balls to keep people tuned in and subscribed.

Hate to say it because I like some of the folks over there, but 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT. Unless, CBS opts to shift B&B to 2:30 with the new soap following Y&R. It's not unheard of since Y&R starts at the half-hour mark as well.

I loved that sound at the end. I don't know why. Keep in mind, instead of PGP... it's now P&G Studios. This is the BIGGEST part of the story, IMO. This means they are back in the TV production game after being out for awhile, at least in scripted content.

Also, keep in mind the show is IN DEVELOPMENT. This does not mean it has been given a series order or handed a pilot just yet. This is a big turn of events in that instead of game shows/talk shows being developed to possibly replace a soap, we're actually getting a soap that might replace a talk show...

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Here's the facts: The Gates First soap in development since launch of "Passions" in 1999. First soap in development at CBS since launch of "The Bold and the Beautiful" in 1987. First soap about a Black family created by and executive produced by a Black person and Black woman. First soap about with Black people as central figures since the launch of "Generations" in 1989. P&G Studios is a partner in the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture for this potential series. Michele Val Jean remains the first and only Black female head writer of a daytime drama series, and will also add showrunner/executive producer credits as a first as well. Sheila Ducksworth is co-EP and is also Black. Will add more later...

I TOLD Y'ALL Soaps were thriving!!!!

New Details Announced (TL; DR) - November 12, 2024: Beyond the Gates premieres Monday, February 24, 2025 on CBS. Stream Live and On Demand on Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscription. The series will air weekdays at 2:00 p.m. ET/1:00 p.m. PT on CBS. New Details Announced (TL; DR) - September 19, 2024: "The Gates" is now called "Beyond The Gates." Key Art/Logo for "Beyond The Gates" released. Soap alums Tamara Tunie ("As The World Turns"), Daphnee Duplaix ("One Life to Live," "Passions") and Karla Mosley are the first actors officially cast by the show. "Beyond The Gates" is a one-hour daytime drama. The series is set to premiere in early 2025. Previously, CBS announced it would debut in January 2025. CBS has formally announced the series will begin production later this fall in Atlanta; confirming the film location (city), but not studio. Robert Guza Jr. ("General Hospital," "Sunset Beach") and Julie Carruthers ("All My Children," "Port Charles") are officially confirmed as executive producers, joining a team led by creator, showrunner, and executive producer Michele Val Jean, and fellow executive producers Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner. Anna Saalfeld is also a new addition to the executive producer team, having never been previously announced. This makes it eight executive producers behind "Beyond The Gates," the most for a daytime drama series ever. P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble, remains on board as a partner on the series which is being developed and produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP Venture, led by Ducksworth. An official synopsis has been released for "Beyond The Gates." For the full story, click here. Note: "BTG" will be the official acronym used for "Beyond The Gates" on the SON Community. Posts/threads created should always start with "BTG:" going forward. For reference, the current soap acronyms are "B&B" (The Bold and the Beautiful), "DAYS" (Days of our Lives"), "GH" (General Hospital") and "Y&R" (The Young and the Restless). "ALL" is for all shows, while "AMC" is for All My Children. Michele Val Jean’s CBS Daytime Drama ‘The Gates’ Retitled ‘Beyond The Gates’, Sets Early 2025 Launch Tamara Tunie Returns To Daytime Playing Family Matriarch In CBS Drama ‘Beyond The Gates’ Soap Alums Karla Mosley & Daphnee Duplaix Join ‘Beyond The Gates’ Also, #BeyondTheGates is the official hashtag to be used on social media, per CBS. Facebook and Instagram pages have been created, but are not active. Will share the link when they are officially available. PREVIOUS: https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2024/03/cbs-studios-naacp-the-gates-daytime-drama-series-cbs

For the first time since at least 1999, a brand new daytime soap opera is closer to making its way to broadcast television. CBS Studios and NAACP Venture announced today they are developing a new daytime drama series for the CBS Television Network titled “The Gates,” with veteran writer Michele Val Jean (“The Bold and the Beautiful,” “General Hospital”) set as writer and showrunner. Val Jean, who exited “The Bold and the Beautiful” last month as a scriptwriter after writing more than 2,000 episodes of daytime dramas and winning multiple Daytime Emmy and WGA Awards, will also serve as an executive producer for “The Gates” alongside Sheila Ducksworth, Leon Russell, Derrick Johnson and Kimberly Doebereiner. The potential series will follow the lives of a wealthy Black family in a posh, gated community. It will be produced by the CBS Studios/NAACP production venture in partnership with P&G Studios, a division of Procter & Gamble. P&G, in particular, might sound familiar to soap fans as the company helped pioneer the genre with the likes of “As The World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” and “Another World.” “‘The Gates’ will be everything we love about daytime drama, from a new and fresh perspective,” said Sheila Ducksworth, president of the CBS Studios NAACP venture. “This series will salute an audience that has been traditionally underserved, with the potential to be a groundbreaking moment for broadcast television. With multi-dimensional characters, juicy storylines and Black culture front and center, ‘The Gates’ will have impactful representation, one of the key touchstones of the venture.” Brad Bell, Michele Val Jean Sean Smith/JPI Studios Speaking more on CBS and P&G’s involvement, along with the NAACP, Ducksworth added, “I’m excited to develop this project with CBS and P&G, two of the longest and most passionate champions of broadcast and daytime television, and the NAACP, whose enduring commitment to Black voices and artists is both powerful and inspiring. I also want to thank CBS’ George Cheeks, NAACP’s Derrick Johnson and P&G’s Marc Pritchard for their personal involvement and support to take our next step forward with ‘The Gates.’” CBS Studios’ production venture and development deal with the NAACP was established to elevate a diverse range of voices and increase the visibility of Black artists on broadcast and streaming platforms in an ever-evolving media landscape. The news of “The Gates” comes as CBS announced last week a four-year deal to keep network television’s highest-rated and most-watched daytime drama series, “The Young and the Restless,” on the air through at least the 2027-2028 broadcast television season. “The Bold and the Beautiful” also received a one-year extension on its current deal, keeping it on the network through at least the 2024-2025 television season. With the pickups at CBS, other daytime dramas are currently seeing security at their respective platforms and networks, with “Days of our Lives” contracted at Peacock through September 2025. Meanwhile, “General Hospital” doesn’t officially receive renewal orders at ABC as the network owns the series outright. Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group, overseeing content strategy across ABC Entertainment, Disney Branded Television, Freeform and Hulu Originals programming, recently stated the network was “deeply committed” to the show. Note: The post CBS Studios/NAACP Venture Developing New Daytime Drama Series for CBS Titled ‘The Gates’ With Michele Val Jean Set As Writer/Showrunner/Executive Producer appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

With his character being pushed into oncoming traffic on the Tuesday, March 5 episode, thereby killing him off, actor Brian Gaskill has confirmed that his time in Genoa City as Seth on “The Young and the Restless” has ended. In a message posted on his Instagram page, Gaskill said, “Between social media and the Internet in general, news travels ridiculously fast these days …so… yeah, that happened…(and if you haven’t seen yet, please watch… I hear Los Angeles might be preempted… so check out Paramount+ or look for Times).” “I had a great time on ‘Young and the Restless’ with the producers, directors, publicity department, and other actors,” added Gaskill in his post. “And it was incredible to see so much support from all of my friends on social media, who have been following along over the years… So grateful for all of you. Now let’s see what comes next…” Gaskill made his first on-air appearance on the Monday, January 8 episode of “The Young and the Restless,” when viewers learned his character would be interacting with Melody Thomas Scott’s Nikki Newman as one of the AA meeting members she connects with. Brian Gaskill, Melody Thomas Scott (“The Young and the Restless”) Howard Wise/JPI Studios In an interview with TV Insider at the time, Gaskill said of his co-star, “Melody has been incredibly inviting and kind, a joy to work with,” while noting, “It feels amazing to be back [on a soap set].” “It’s Only the Beginning” of The End Last week, Gaskill told followers on X (formerly Twitter) that “it’s only the beginning” when discussing what’s next in his storyline. It turns out he meant it was the beginning of the end for his character, mainly as Jordan (Colleen Zenk) was on to Seth and the secret plan he made with Nikki, leaving her with no choice but to get rid of him before getting herself caught by the authorities. To keep things simple, she made it appear that Seth had offed himself with his alleged last words being for her to tell Nikki that he was sorry, a lie she cooked up to throw off suspicion that she pushed him. Brian Gaskill, Colleen Zenk (“The Young and the Restless”) Howard Wise/JPI Studios Although Seth might be out of the picture, that doesn’t mean Jordan has an easy road ahead, even with her changing disguises. On the Friday, March 8 episode, Victor (Eric Braeden) gives her an ultimatum. What kind of ultimatum? You’ll have to tune in to find out! Before appearing on “The Young and the Restless,” Gaskill is probably best known to soap fans for his role as Bobby Warner on “All My Children” or Rafe Kovitch on “Port Charles.” Following the cancellation of the latter series, Gaskill was cast as Oscar “Ozzy” Marone on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” He would later have roles in “As The World Turns” (playing B.J. Green) and “Guiding Light” (playing Dylan Lewis). Gaskill first made a name for himself in Hollywood when he played David Michaels in the short-lived primetime series “Models Inc.,” a spinoff of “Melrose Place.” He most recently appeared on “The Bay” as Chase Walker, followed by roles in such primetime shows as “Castle” and “Casual,” among others. Note: The post Brian Gaskill Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ appeared first on the Soap Opera Network website. Read More

Take what you will from it, but I'll just say this... If Michael Maloney wrote it, you're good.