SOAPnet, Sony Extend Days of Our Lives Deal

By Kristin Brzoznowski

Published: March 27, 2009

BURBANK: SOAPnet has extended its deal with Sony Pictures Television to air same-day episodes of Days of Our Lives, along with scoring the digital streaming rights.

The show has been on the air for more than 40 years, first premiering as a half-hour drama in 1965. Set in the fictitious Midwestern town of Salem, Days of Our Lives centers on two families, the Hortons and Bradys, and the multi-layered story lines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama. SOAPnet airs same-day episodes of a range of daytime dramas, including All My Children, One Life to Live, General Hospital and The Young and the Restless, along with a host of prime-time series such as The O.C. and originals like General Hospital: Night Shift.

BURBANK: SOAPnet has extended its deal with Sony Pictures Television to air same-day episodes of Days of Our Lives, along with scoring the digital streaming rights.

Hmm, I wonder if SoapNet is going to start streaming the ABC soaps, along with DAYS and Y&R online.

It would be nice if SOAPNET can't stream all the old soaps online. They can do it on Youtube with commercials like CBS does for old television series.

When will DOOL's contract with NBC expire?

When will DOOL's contract with NBC expire?

I believe in September of 2010...

I believe in September of 2010...

Wow, you're fast! And does this improve the chances for a renewal?

Wow, you're fast! And does this improve the chances for a renewal?

Well, now that the show is gaining in demos, households, and viewers, it would be foolish of NBC to get rid of it. Also, it looks like for the first time in a long time, the show's budget is under control and Tomlin has some clear vision for where he wants to take this show. Who knows how long it will all last though.

Wow, you're fast! And does this improve the chances for a renewal?

They don't make that much money off of Soapnet. From what I hear, DOOL is barely breaking even at this point, even with the Soapnet revenue. So I don't think Soapnet means anything in terms of any show's renewal - just a way to get extra, no matter how small it is.

They don't make that much money off of Soapnet. From what I hear, DOOL is barely breaking even at this point, even with the Soapnet revenue. So I don't think Soapnet means anything in terms of any show's renewal - just a way to get extra, no matter how small it is.

The most interesting part of the deal for me is that streaming part. Right now, DOOL, AMC, and OLTL are the only shows NOT legally streamed.

It would be interesting for Soapnet to strengthen the online presence, and "exclusives" like the above-referenced soaps (and maybe taking GH from ABC) could help build that online brand.

It would also let the cable network get OUT of the daytime soap business, which is obviously where they want to head.

Edited March 27, 200916 yr by MarkH

Well any money is useful over at DAYS...the streaming is interesting, I'm thinking MarkH is onto something and SoapNet is doing its best to keep the soaps off the network and move them online.

I guess that's good!

Anyone know how the same day repeats are doing ratings wise? I know I've read somewhere that Y&R is the most watched soap on SoapNet, but how about the others?

who knows if NBC will renew it, but at this point with it doing well in ratings, getting picked up by soapnet, and working under a 40% budget slash... why cancel it? NBC needs all the help they can get.

As long as they keep it free, I'd be into it. But please God, no SOAPnetic, no V-Cast,... Just keep it free.

I'm thinking MarkH is onto something and SoapNet is doing its best to keep the soaps off the network and move them online.

The only reason why I have SN is backup for when my ABC network is preempted. But I record and archive scenes I like to keep, so how could I possibly do it from online?

The only reason why I have SN is backup for when my ABC network is preempted. But I record and archive scenes I like to keep, so how could I possibly do it from online?

You wouldn't be able to. ABC/SoapNet only wants viewers that watch their shows the whole way through. DVR is not what they're interested in. With online streaming, they force the advertisement. It's embedded, it's there and there isn't a damn thing you can do about it but watch.