'Passions' heads to DirecTV

Segments to begin airing this fall

By JOSEF ADALIANNBC is closing in on a deal that will keep sudser "Passions" alive via an unusual outlet: DirecTV.

In what would be its biggest-ever original programming initiative, satellite provider is set to acquire original episodes of the soap opera from NBC U TV Studio. Segs would likely begin airing this fall, after the sudser ends its run on NBC.

There will be some changes, however.

Instead of five days per week, "Passions" will air only four times per week. It's also expected the show's budget will be reduced further to accommodate the different business model.

Neither NBC nor DirecTV would comment, but insiders said a deal could be finalized by week's end. It's unclear how much DirecTV will pay NBC, but a typical sudser costs a little more than $1 million per week to produce for network TV.

DirecTV has been edging further into the original content business, airing several first-run skeins on what it calls the 101. It's unclear if the company will program "Passions" on that channel or use the sudser as part of a larger programming initiative.

Peacock said earlier this year that it was canceling "Passions" after an eight-year run on the net (Daily Variety, Jan. 15).

The Hollywood Reporter

DirecTV has 'Passion' for NBC

By Nellie Andreeva

April 26, 2007

DirecTV is getting into the scripted series business and NBC Universal Television Studio is becoming a content provider for satellite platforms.

DirecTV and NBC Uni TV said Wednesday that the NBC Universal-produced daytime drama "Passions" will move to DirecTV's original programming channel, the 101, after it ends its eight-year run on NBC on Sept. 7.

"Passions," DirecTV's first scripted series, will premiere on the satellite service Sept. 17.

While continuing to produce "Passions" for NBC didn't make sense because of the show's low ratings, it works great for DirecTV, said Marc Graboff, president of NBC Universal Television, West Coast.

"The studio gets to continue to produce it, and its core audience of devoted fans gets to continue to watch it," he said.

NBC Uni TV has found a way to "produce the show effectively" by reducing the budget, accomplished mostly by going from five episodes a week on NBC to four on DirecTV.

While the majority of the cast and crew are expected to continue on the series, the revenue from DirecTV still "more than covers" the studio's costs, Graboff said.

What's more, the pact, a first between a major TV studio and a satellite provider on a scripted series, feels like a test deal for the future, he said.

"I can see shows that are too narrow for the broad network tent but make sense to continue on other platforms finding a future there," Graboff said.

Link

Frankly, I'm shocked by that "more than covers" line. Um, seriously? WOW. Well, that's great for the show. Damn!

NBC Uni TV has found a way to "produce the show effectively" by reducing the budget, accomplished mostly by going from five episodes a week on NBC to four on DirecTV.

4 days a week would be more profitable for all the soaps. I could see ABC/CBS trying a 4 day week in the near future.]

the revenue from DirecTV still "more than covers" the studio's costs

Wow! That's a positive note. PSNS could be there for the long haul

With a slashed budget, I see PASSIONS being like GL...minus some of the talent, fast-paced scripting and storytelling, and overall history.

Lindsay better run! She would make a great Sarah Roberts on ONE LIFE TO LIVE.

4 days a week would be more profitable for all the soaps. I could see ABC/CBS trying a 4 day week in the near future.]

Wow! That's a positive note. PSNS could be there for the long haul

But the common soap staple is the all important Friday Cliffhanger. Soaps thrive on that! Soaps rely on being there for the audience through it all, no matter what. Without the all-important Friday Cliffhanger, where does that leave the industry?!

I like my soaps five days a week.

Oh and to answer the SOD question, I highly doubt SOD is gonna do coverage of PASSIONS as a cabler. Hell, it may make the show more interesting without spoilers.

But the common soap staple is the all important Friday Cliffhanger. Soaps thrive on that! Soaps rely on being there for the audience through it all, no matter what. Without the all-important Friday Cliffhanger, where does that leave the industry?!

I like my soaps five days a week.

Oh and to answer the SOD question, I highly doubt SOD is gonna do coverage of PASSIONS as a cabler. Hell, it may make the show more interesting without spoilers.

ANd I'll disagree with you, bellcurve, for the reason that unlike some shows that don't get coverage from SOD, "Passions" already has had coverage, and steady doses. Fans will be LIVID and will send tons of hate mail if they discontinued coverage. I just don't see that happening. Especially if this is the new business model for soaps. I think SOD would support it because um, without any soaps, they go out of business! lol. They'll cover "Passions."

I'm sorry, WHO knocked this thread down to four stars?!

Um, this is HUGE news for not just "Passions," but all soaps. And it's already 10 pages long.

THIS DESERVES five stars.

I already gave up my rating, sadly, so please, I implore you, each and every one of you, PLEASE give this thread its deserving five stars.

Thanks.

I don't know why I haven't subscribed to DirectTV sooner. After looking at their website, it's actually cheaper than cable and I get about 40 more channels. DirectTV's "Choice Extra" has 117 program channels and 68 XM radio channels all for 45 bucks a month.

I'm paying right at 100 bucks for cable and high speed internet through Sudden Link and I don't get Chiller, Logo, IFC, Sleuth, BBC America and tons of others because it's on a different teir and you have to pay 20 bucks more per month. With DirecTV those are all included in the package. Plus I get a free portable DVD player and DVR. I'm calling DirecTV!

This has been a paid advertisement for DirecTV.

ANd I'll disagree with you, bellcurve, for the reason that unlike some shows that don't get coverage from SOD, "Passions" already has had coverage, and steady doses. Fans will be LIVID and will send tons of hate mail if they discontinued coverage. I just don't see that happening. Especially if this is the new business model for soaps. I think SOD would support it because um, without any soaps, they go out of business! lol. They'll cover "Passions."

If this were DAYS, *MAYBE*, but this is PASSIONS we're talking about. The show is only available to certain people with DirecTV...to the true fans that don't have DirecTV and won't pay for it, it's almost like that SOUTH PARK episode where Cartman has a TV ad for his new theme park. And the best part? "You can't come in!" Who is gonna really wanna subscribe to DirecTV JUST to get PASSIONS?!

That's the problem SOD runs into. It's no longer on Network TV, how can they possibly feature news stories about PASSIONS if it is only available to a small population of the network audience?! Why would NBC want to pay someone to do network coverage of PASSIONS on a miniscule promo budget?! Better yet, if the show is exclusively available to DirecTV, why would DirecTV want SOD to get scoops, spoilers, and synopses of a show that is only available for their network? Isn't that what their website is for?!

I mean, I do admit, this is a victory for you die-hard PASSIONS enthusiasts...I just don't see a major soap magazine even bothering to cover the show anymore.

I can't believe EVERYTHING on network television is ending on a cliffhanger. Regardless of the move to DirecTV, Reilly probably would have ended it all on a cliffhanger.

If this were DAYS, *MAYBE*, but this is PASSIONS we're talking about. The show is only available to certain people with DirecTV...to the true fans that don't have DirecTV and won't pay for it, it's almost like that SOUTH PARK episode where Cartman has a TV ad for his new theme park. And the best part? "You can't come in!" Who is gonna really wanna subscribe to DirecTV JUST to get PASSIONS?!

That's the problem SOD runs into. It's no longer on Network TV, how can they possibly feature news stories about PASSIONS if it is only available to a small population of the network audience?! Why would NBC want to pay someone to do network coverage of PASSIONS on a miniscule promo budget?! Better yet, if the show is exclusively available to DirecTV, why would DirecTV want SOD to get scoops, spoilers, and synopses of a show that is only available for their network? Isn't that what their website is for?!

I mean, I do admit, this is a victory for you die-hard PASSIONS enthusiasts...I just don't see a major soap magazine even bothering to cover the show anymore.

I can't believe EVERYTHING on network television is ending on a cliffhanger. Regardless of the move to DirecTV, Reilly probably would have ended it all on a cliffhanger.

i disagree. i do think PSS will still get coverage in soap magazines. because first and formost, it IS a soap opera. and has a following and they cover it now. second, i do see what your saying but they are obviously gonna cover Night Shift, it will only air on SOAPNET and thats not aval to everyone either.

Whether Passions got picked up or not, did anyone REALLY expect JER to give TRUE resolution? I sure wasn't expecting it. Hoping for it, but wasn't expecting it.

And I love the latest article posted. "More than covers"? WOW. And it IS a test for the future. I could easily see shows that may not be cutting it on a network end up on The 101.

DIRECTV will make it easy for Passions viewers to keep track of the happenings in “Harmony” by providing fans free installation, a DVR or HD receiver upgrade, and a portable DVD player by calling a special phone number (866-788-0003) or visiting the Web (www.directv.com/passions) that will give those without DIRECTV plenty of time to switch before the new season begins.

I hope you're right, Ri. I want my favorite "Passions" actors TRAPPED in their current contracts!!!

(FYI: I've changed my mind. I may JUST get DirecTV, especially with the great offer JUST for "Passions" fans! Oh, I feel so special; so footloose and fancy-free!!!)

Sorry to burst your bubble there JERSF that's not a special deal JUST for "Passions" fans, as much as the people at Directv would like people to think it is. If you look at Directv's site, you'll see that the "Passions Special" is what they are offering ALL New Customers.....

If this were DAYS, *MAYBE*, but this is PASSIONS we're talking about. The show is only available to certain people with DirecTV...to the true fans that don't have DirecTV and won't pay for it, it's almost like that SOUTH PARK episode where Cartman has a TV ad for his new theme park. And the best part? "You can't come in!" Who is gonna really wanna subscribe to DirecTV JUST to get PASSIONS?!

That's the problem SOD runs into. It's no longer on Network TV, how can they possibly feature news stories about PASSIONS if it is only available to a small population of the network audience?! Why would NBC want to pay someone to do network coverage of PASSIONS on a miniscule promo budget?! Better yet, if the show is exclusively available to DirecTV, why would DirecTV want SOD to get scoops, spoilers, and synopses of a show that is only available for their network? Isn't that what their website is for?!

Passions continues to buck the odds, so I think it will continue to receive coverage in soap magazines. DirecTV needs to do promotion somehow, and I do think there will continue to be online deals and more 'Tabloid Truths' and 'Vendettas.' I would not surprise me if there is a 'Cliffhanger' site launched leading up to the final airing on NBC. Get current viewers hooked and then leave the reveal until the transition is made

DirecTV has "Passion" for NBC By Nellie Andreeva

Thu Apr 26, 2:14 AM ET

DirecTV is getting into the scripted series business for the first time with "Passions," the low-rated soap that will end its eight-year run on NBC in September.

The show will move to the satellite broadcaster's original programming channel, the 101, on September 17 -- 10 days after it wraps on NBC.

While continuing to produce "Passions" for NBC didn't make sense because of the show's low ratings, it works great for DirecTV, said Marc Graboff, president of the network's corporate sibling, NBC Universal Television, West Coast.

"The studio gets to continue to produce it, and its core audience of devoted fans gets to continue to watch it," he said.

NBC Universal TV has found a way to "produce the show effectively" by reducing the budget, accomplished mostly by going from five episodes a week on NBC to four on DirecTV.

While the majority of the cast and crew are expected to continue on the series, the revenue from DirecTV still "more than covers" the studio's costs, Graboff said.

What's more, the pact, a first between a major TV studio and a satellite provider on a scripted series, feels like a test deal for the future, he said.

"I can see shows that are too narrow for the broad network tent but make sense to continue on other platforms finding a future there," Graboff said.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Somethings really WRONG when fans are happy that actors are TRAPPED in their contracts. Guess what? They can leave if they want to. I mean really whats the worse thats going to happen to them if they don't fulfill the contract? They get sued right? I highly doubt they'll go to jail. If I were them I'd be willing to pay whatever I had to get out of that contract. Especially the actors with potential and who could easily find roles on the main soaps. But the bottom line is that I find it very sad how some you are so desperate that you actually want them to be forced into remaining on the show.

And yeah I don't agree with the people who are saying that the so called, "Die Hard Passions" fans are going to pay w/e monthly fee it is to watch Passions on DirectTV. Sorry but its just not going to happen. First off Direct TV does have a significant amount of subscribers but I'm guessiing a very small percentage of them watch Passions. 2nd the majority of Passions viewers are lil teen girls who are obsessed with the hunks on the show. Not the actual show itself or even any concept of storyline. They'll find another means to satisfy their need for waxed bodies and hot guys. They can be found on ALL soaps. It just happened to be Passions that made it a rule that they should have a shirtless guy EVERY SINGLE DAY at the very least. 3rd Direct TV does cost money. These young viewers and even younger adults like myself are not capable of making that kinda monetary committment to a show.

i would have loved to see Passions on Fox or CW or even TBS (remember when Texas was on TBS). I can't afford a Direct TV bill right now so, Goodbye Passions .