Variety: PASSIONS Heads to DirecTv

[JER Soaps Fan]

^Hell, related to that, I remember, back in high school, when some STUPID girl I chatted about NYPD Blue with, INSISTED that it was about to air its last episode EVER -- all because the promo said "SEASON finale."

You can't IMAGINE the string of vulgarities I thought up, when looking at that psychopath, acting like she was hot [!@#$%^&*] for knowing something I didn't! "Um, NOYADIDN'T, YOU'RE wrong, and you can go STRAIGHT to hell!" I thought to myself.

[nassaunew]

You're so cute!

[juppiter]

OMG I know the feeling! I was at Friday's one time with two friends, and one of them was like, "That'll cover Nick and I" when we were paying. I corrected him, "Nick and me," but he didn't believe me. We asked everyone at Friday's and they told me that I was full of [!@#$%^&*], that it was "Nick and I." omg it was soooo annoying, especially because my friends know i'm a grammar freak. whatever, i won a $50 bet over it.

[Greenlee Smythe]

Thanks JER Soaps Fan.

[Greenlee Smythe]

NBC Universal and Outpost Farm Productions still own Passions. That's why NBC can still keep the Passions site on their NBC.com site. DirecTV just have the broadcast rights to air the show for one year in the U.S.

[Greenlee Smythe]

DirecTV has only agreed to a one year contract for Passions. So that means that Passions will be on the air at least until mid-September 2008. After that I don't think DirecTV will renew the show.

I think a lot of the actors on the show especially the younger ones will leave to get on a TV show that is actually seen by more people than just one satellite provider.

DirecTV will not have any reason to keep Passions on their channel since the whole purpose of this deal was to get new subscribers. DirecTV will have those who signed up just for Passions stuck with them at least until 2009 or longer if they actually enjoy their service.

I just don't see DirecTV giving this show more than one year since they will most likely not gain any new fans if they are just doing one year renewals. Fans need a multi-year renewal like two or three years to move to a satellite dish.

If DirecTV really wanted to show their commitment to this show then they would give this show a two year contract right now. That way fans will know that Passions will be on the air at least until their contract with DirecTV expires.

[bellcurve]

Not COMPLETELY sure if I believe that. Why would DIRECTV waste the energy on developing PASSIONS for their channel if they can't pay for it? I see the budget getting lower and lower, but I just see it lasting a little longer than a year. Maybe two.

The BEST way DIRECTV could have went after PASSIONS fans or even daytime fans is if they would have added PASSIONS to a SOAPnet rival with classic episodes, something SOAPnet isn't willing to give its fans. If DIRECTV offered an exclusive PGP Soap Channel or something similar to it(with PASSIONS and Same-Day GL and ATWT as the headliners for the channel), I think even *I* would try to get with DIRECTV.

I would subscribe to DIRECTV in a heartbeat if they had a real soap opera channel. PASSIONS just isn't enough.

[Vanguardian]

But isn't this how NBC has always done it? They renewed Passions on a year by year (season by season) basis. I was thinking that DirecTV were just doing what NBC did, and if the show did well enough, they would renew it for another year. Besides, I always thought DirecTV was doing well with getting subscribers without having to invest in a venture like this.

[ATWTCarOn4Ever]

Nice summary....couldn't have said it better myself. Like I've said before its life support...very weak one at that. A smaller budget isn't going to improve the quality of the show. And I'm guessing it will still have the same headwriter so there goes any hope of ratings going up.

[Vanguardian]

AGAIN, isn't this how NBC did it? I think a lot of you people are predicting DOOM just a bit too soon. And the fact that it shockingly survived cancellation, unlike various previous cancelled soaps, SPEAKS VOLUMES! I have no idea where this venture will lead but it is interesting! Stay tuned!

[Vanguardian]

I also don't think Passions has to worry about ratings being on this channel because they won't be competing with other networks.

[Vee]

I obviously didn't ritualistically slaughter enough innocents to prevent this.

Kidding.

[R!ck]

I'm guessing PSNS will still be eligible for Daytime Emmys? Since NBC/Outpost still owns and produces the show.

[ljacks13]

'Passions' heads to DirecTV

Segments to begin airing this fall

By JOSEF ADALIAN

NBC has signed a nearly

$40 million deal that will keep sudser "Passions" alive via an unusual outlet: DirecTV.

In what ranks as its largest original programming initiative ever, the satellite provider has ordered a full season of original episodes of the soap opera from NBC U TV Studio. Segs will 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, Monday through Thursday. To accommodate the different business model, show's budget will be reduced by about one-third to around $700,000 per week.

All of the production costs for "Passions" will be absorbed by DirecTV, whose total commitment over 52 weeks stands at nearly $40 million. Service will offset a chunk of that cost by selling advertising on the show.

NBC U West Coast topper Marc Graboff said the conglom will make "a little bit" of money in the first season of the deal but stands to make more if DirecTV picks up its options on the show.

Peacock will still be able to make coin from Internet components related to "Passions," as well as any product integration deals it strikes.

However, since DirecTV insisted on complete exclusivity, NBC will no longer make episodes of the sudser available for download via iTunes.

Graboff said NBC U distribution execs were talking to DirecTV about some digital initiatives when the Peacock's team suggested that the service pick up "Passions."

"They really sparked to the idea," Graboff said, adding he thinks there could be other such deals in the future.

"I could see our studio making a nice business" out of packaging exclusive content to providers such as DirecTV or Comcast, he said.

DirecTV has been edging farther into the original content business, airing several firstrun skeins on what it calls the 101. It will begin airing "Passions" this fall on that channel, which is available to all of its 14 million homes.

Snagging "Passions" makes sense for DirecTV, which has found success offering subscribers programming they can't get elsewhere. Its huge deal with the NFL for its Sunday Ticket package was instrumental in building its sub base.

Now, DirecTV has a product with strong female appeal, albeit to a relatively small audience base of about 2 million. However, if only 25% of the show's aud ends up subscribing to DirecTV, the deal could pay for itself.

Peacock said earlier this year that it was canceling "Passions" after an eight-year run on the net (Daily Variety, Jan. 15). Execs at the net also have said that, in all likelihood, Sony-produced "Days of Our Lives" won't be renewed when its deal expires in 2009.

Read the full article at:

http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117963754.html

[Soapsuds]

Now, DirecTV has a product with strong female appeal, albeit to a relatively small audience base of about 2 million. However, if only 25% of the show's aud ends up subscribing to DirecTV, the deal could pay for itself

I doubt 25% of the aud will follow it to DirecTV.

What was the lastest rating? 1.3? The show doesnt go off until in a few months. At this rate there wont be anyone left watching.