'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).

Passions did what Another World, Sunset Beach, and Port Charles couldn't: survive.

Passions gets to live on, and that's all that matters. It's not another casualty like those soaps I listed above.

Oh, please. Must you be so deprecating? Your arrogance is insufferable.

Only a select few can make a CANCELLATION sound like a victory.

That blog says that the show's new home will be exclusively on DirecTV and now DirecTV is going to use the show to entice you to buy them.

Which basically means that we won't see it anywhere else? I know that DirecTV has a deal with ESPN.com to make selected games from the major sports packages available to purchase online, and in some instances, the entire sports package can be purchased and viewed online.

I don't know if this is going to work. Passions has dismal ratings now while on a major network. Moving to DirecTV is going to take away nearly their entire audience.

Now, it will only be on DirecTV. Which sucks for a lot of people who don't have it.

They should bump up the timeslot, to 4:00PM or so.

This is beyond ridiculous. There were other soaps far more worthy of giving an extension of life.

This isn't even a soap. It's a joke.

Passions is still more or less going to be dead to most people who watch it now since not many people are going to switch to DirecTV just to see Passions . Also, how many people will want to continue to discuss what is happening on the show on a message board when they can't see the show so most people probably won't care anymore who is doing what on Passions.

The fact is, the fans have been vindicated and the haters have been shot to death. Passions lives on!! VICTORY IS OURS!!! :D

Whoop de freakin' do...

The fact is, the fans have been vindicated and the haters have been shot to death. Passions lives on!! VICTORY IS OURS!!! :D

Every day I wake up and am not Rion, I count my blessings.

Galen Gering may have another offer.

TV GUIDE - The Suds Report

Passions (Global/NBC) – Galen Gering: Y&R-bound?

It was only a matter of time: Galen Gering (Luis) was spotted at Y&R’s CBS studios. Word on the set is daytime’s No. 1 soap is seriously interested in signing the hunky actor when Passions leaves the air this September.

Link

Galen Gering may have another offer.

TV GUIDE - The Suds Report

Passions (Global/NBC) – Galen Gering: Y&R-bound?

It was only a matter of time: Galen Gering (Luis) was spotted at Y&R’s CBS studios. Word on the set is daytime’s No. 1 soap is seriously interested in signing the hunky actor when Passions leaves the air this September.

Link

Guess Y&R is outta luck now! Passions has been renewed and Galen is still under contract.

It's ending on NBC with cliffhangers?! Oh, [!@#$%^&*] NO!

****EDITED*****

Mckenzie's and Lindsay's contracts were up this spring, but they signed extensions until this summer. Is Galen's contract up next winter or spring?

I don't see how this is much of a victory, I mean it's continuing on Direct TV, and like it's been said, not many people are going to subscribe to DTV just to be able to watch Passions.

It would be more of a Victory if it was continuing on Fox or The CW or something.

Anyways congrats to those Passions fans that will actually get to see the show continue on...

Rion, tone it down. This is not a victory. It merely puts your show on life support. Period. Yes, great that Passions is living on but how do you expect it to last when hardly anyone will see it in the broad scheme of things?

That NBC release is nice and I am glad it is still an hour but the key to that release was the MAJORITY of the cast. That means alot of them could still leave. Kerr will jump ship if that pilot gets picked up and we already know Andrea Evans was in talks with OLTL. Lindsey's contract is up and I still wonder if she will stay. I think Emily may consider jumping too.

As for GG, I think he is contracted until winter 2008 because I thought his new two year deal took effect when he returned from haitus. I may be wrong. If it took effect when he signed it in May 2005, it would be up next month and that would mean to me that he would jump ship too since he always has tense negotiations.

Also, let's not make this discussion too heated. There is no need to be insulting, sarcastic, or to be trying instigating trouble. We all have differing opinions and dislikes so let's be understanding of those. Thanks.

I think that all the actors contracts (those that want to continue) will be redone. All more than likely had the option to extend their contracts or exit back when the final taping date was announced.

So yes, Galen can go to Y&R I would think.