'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).

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.

Certain people are upset that Passions was renewed, so this is how they express themselves. haha!

VERY TRUE. Passions is new open to do and say stuff that it could not on NBC. MM soft core PORN. I dont see how the show can live on with a reduced budget and 4 days a week. This only means fans of the NBC show is going to be cheated out of a good soap ending. They'll be no reason to tie anything up

Passions is eing

Even if it doesn't work, at least they're trying.

If this model works (we don't know the details yet), this could be the beginning of a new era for soap operas. As network ratings get lower every year, soaps will need to find new ways to survive, whether it be on cable, the internet, or satelite.

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.

PSNS isn't even the #1 soap in teens anymore. Only 45,000 of PSNS 2 million viewers are "lil teen girls" so that's a moot point. PSNS is however #2 in 18-24, #3 in 18-34 and is #7 in 18-49

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.

DirecTV costs less than cable, and you get more channels. If you already pay for cable, why not switch to satellite and pay less?

I think the die hard fans will switch. I already have. They will be here on Monday for installation. Plus I save 25 bucks a month by switching.

DirectTV is the only cable provider I think that you get SoapNet in basic cable! I love DirectTV!!!

PSNS isn't even the #1 soap in teens anymore. Only 45,000 of PSNS 2 million viewers are "lil teen girls" so that's a moot point. PSNS is however #2 in 18-24, #3 in 18-34 and is #7 in 18-49

DirecTV costs less than cable, and you get more channels. If you already pay for cable, why not switch to satellite and pay less?

I think the die hard fans will switch. I already have. They will be here on Monday for installation. Plus I save 25 bucks a month by switching.

What cable company are you talking about? And what plan are you getting? Cuz right now I get around 280 channels with Digital Cable for around $64.75 a month and thats Time Warner Digital Cable. With Direct TV I'd be paying 65.99 a month for 250+ channels according to their website. Lets say I can settle for 185 channels. Their plan is $49.99 a month. I don't see the difference. Its just as expensive. Only difference is you'll get Passions. Now you might be getting their lowest plan and if so then you're saving money but you're only getting 40 channels. So its give and take. Comes down to the parents and if they want to go thru the hassle. As for the viewers last I heard it was a mostly young girls audience. Maybe thats changed. Either way though I don't see all 2 million viewers switching to Direct TV. Like I've said before its just life support.

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.

What Friday cliffhangers? I havent seen ATWT have a great cliffhanger in ages. Ditto for some other soaps as well.

PSNS isn't even the #1 soap in teens anymore. Only 45,000 of PSNS 2 million viewers are "lil teen girls" so that's a moot point. PSNS is however #2 in 18-24, #3 in 18-34 and is #7 in 18-49

DirecTV costs less than cable, and you get more channels. If you already pay for cable, why not switch to satellite and pay less?

I think the die hard fans will switch. I already have. They will be here on Monday for installation. Plus I save 25 bucks a month by switching.

That's my Rickie...switching so quickly.

What cable company are you talking about? And what plan are you getting? Cuz right now I get around 280 channels with Digital Cable for around $64.75 a month and thats Time Warner Digital Cable. With Direct TV I'd be paying 65.99 a month for 250+ channels according to their website. Lets say I can settle for 185 channels. Their plan is $49.99 a month. I don't see the difference. Its just as expensive. Only difference is you'll get Passions. Now you might be getting their lowest plan and if so then you're saving money but you're only getting 40 channels. So its give and take. Comes down to the parents and if they want to go thru the hassle. As for the viewers last I heard it was a mostly young girls audience. Maybe thats changed. Either way though I don't see all 2 million viewers switching to Direct TV. Like I've said before its just life support.

Suddenlink is my cable provider

I get...

Digital Cable: $49.99 per month (75 Channels +30 Music Channels)

Cable Modem $29.99 per month

Family Teir: $15.00 per month (27 Channels)

My bill with tax is like $103.00 per month

Other optional services are...

DVR $9.99 per month

Movie Teir $13.00 per month (12 Channels)

HBO/MAX Package $13.00 per month (13 Channels)

Shotime Package: $10.00 per month (12 Channels)

When I called DirecTV I got the "Plus" package for 49.99 (same as Suddenlink) But I also get DVR and 68 XM radio channels. channels like Fox Reality, Fox movie, Chiller, Slueth, LOGO, Reelz, IFC are also included in the package. For me it's cheaper, not sure about others.

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.

First of all, I disagree that no one willget DirecTVjust for "Passions."I'm SERIOUSLY entertainin the thought. I mean, $50 a month for that many channels and all that free crap that comes with it? Damn! That's a good deal!

Certain people are upset that Passions was renewed, so this is how they express themselves. haha!

Oh, my, I think you're right, Ri. Hey, did you see we're down to THREE stars now?

Guys, seriously. This is SO lame.

As someone who has dealt with DirecTV for the past ten years at my job, it does have it's down side. Weather has a big affect on it for one thing, heavy rain in particular. You ain't watching nothing except that blank screen that says it's "searching for signal." Water pouring off the dish throws off the signal as does atmospheric interference. It doesn't happen a lot but it will inevitable occur right when you're trying to watch something, LOL.

I have heard issues with weather, but honestly, I've had DirecTV for around 10 years and I have never had an outage. I love it. I recently also got cable and I still prefer DirecTV. My problem is I can't get DirecTV in HD without cutting down some massive trees so it won't work.

One issue I had when I lived in Manhattan was that our super wouldn't let us attach the dish to the building. A lot of people have DirecTV in New York, but sometimes you do run into that issue or the tree issue (no line of sight).

It will be interesting to see how the show changes on The 101. I don't think they'll suddenly have nudity or anything but there may be subtle changes. It will also be interesting to see how the soap magazines continue to cover it. I have a feeling if DirecTV launched a brand now soap they would totally ignore it.

One thing Passions will get is massive exposure on all the DirecTV channels. They air commercials for DirecTV programming on all the channels.

We'll probably never know the ratings, sort of like we don't for Soapnet. When the Neilsen's come out on Thursdays, it will just include the network soaps so we may not know how Passions is actually doing for a while.

What Friday cliffhangers? I havent seen ATWT have a great cliffhanger in ages. Ditto for some other soaps as well.

When a soap is done RIGHT, there are always good Friday Cliffhangers. ATWT always ruins the element of surprise by showing you a minute long preview of next week's shows. LAME! At least they removed the mid-break previews, but that is neither here nor there.

Soaps have thrived on being a five day a week institution. If every network reduced their lineup to four days a week, what would fill the last day? Who would determine what weekday is more important than another?!

First of all, I disagree that no one willget DirecTVjust for "Passions."I'm SERIOUSLY entertainin the thought. I mean, $50 a month for that many channels and all that free crap that comes with it? Damn! That's a good deal!

Your average, offline American soap fan will NOT want to do it. Sorry. They'll be knitting and watching CLOSING ARGUMENTS.

Again, this is a victory for die-hard PASSIONS fans and you have every right to celebrate. I could see PASSIONS gaining even more of as cult following on DirecTV. I just don't think you're gonna see that many people lined up outside of DirecTV's offices waiting to switch their cable subscribers. Especially for PASSIONS, of all shows.

I wish they'd launch with a new soap, but this probably fits well with the viewers of this channel, which is mostly young. Another good thing is that they air lots of reruns. Hopefully JER can trim the cast and get his act together! If the show gets cancelled on DirectTV, it's his fault, just like it's his fault that NBC cancelled it.

I wonder what kind of ratings DirecTV is expecting. Obviously for a cable network it will be a lot less, so it could potentially last long on the network.

NBC'S PASSIONS TO WORK ITS MAGIC ON DIRECTV VIEWERS WITH ALL-NEW EPISODES BEGINNING SEPTEMBER 17

Fan Favorite Daytime Drama Joins DIRECTV's The 101 Lineup; New Episodes Produced by NBC Universal Television Studio Will Air on DIRECTV

El Segundo, Calif., April 25, 2007-NBC Universal Television Studio and DIRECTV, the nation's leading satellite television provider, today announced that the NBC Universal-produced daytime drama Passions has found a new home on DIRECTV where the popular program will continue for a 9th season. Under the new agreement, NBC Universal Television Studio will produce brand-new episodes to air Monday-Thursday on DIRECTV's original programming channel, The 101.

The celebrated daytime drama, which currently averages 2 million viewers and enjoys an intensely dedicated fan base, will end its network run on NBC September 7 with a series of cliffhangers and will resurface on DIRECTV September 17, picking up where the series left off. The show will remain in its current time slot of 2 PM ET and DIRECTV will air encore marathons of the show each weekend. The majority of the cast and crew are expected to return when the one-hour series begins shooting the new DIRECTV episodes in August.

"Passions fans no longer need to mourn the demise of their beloved program as it has found new life on DIRECTV," said Eric Shanks, executive vice president of Entertainment for DIRECTV. "We care about this show and are extremely proud to give it an exclusive home here at DIRECTV."

"This new arrangement with DIRECTV is truly a landmark development that allows NBC Universal to extend the Passions brand in a fresh and entirely new way, to DIRECTV's 16 million homes," said Marc Graboff, president, NBC Universal Television, West Coast. "It will reward the dedicated fans of the daytime drama who can continue to enjoy it on DIRECTV and also opens up a great new model for other television programs to find new life on other non-traditional platforms."

Those fans without DIRECTV will have plenty of time to switch before the new season begins. 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). Passions fans can also visit www.nbc.com for more information about the show.

Passions will be the first scripted drama series to join The 101 original program lineup which includes viewer favorites like Project MyWorld, The Fizz, havoc on The 101, and Championship Gaming Series. The series will broadcast four one-hour episodes per week, as well as a weekend marathon of that week's shows so fans can catch up on the action each week.

Passions explores the lives, loves and losses of four core families in the small New England town of Harmony: the Cranes, the Lopez-Fitzgeralds, the Bennetts and the Russells, each of whom have their own distinct and diverse personalities. The series debuted on NBC in 1999 and has routinely been amongst the top daytime programs for women ages 18-34, and currently is tied for #1 among all daytime dramas in both women ages 18-24 and females 12-24.

New episodes of Passions will begin shooting in August and will continue to be taped at the CBS Studio Center in Studio City, Calif. The show is produced by NBC Universal Television Studio in association with Outpost Farms Productions, Inc.

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.

Lindsey ain't going to a east coast Soap. Not if Justin's pilot is picked up and if they are going to try for that second baby now that it looks like Passions will continue.