Source: Daytime Confidential

The daytime community is reeling this weekend after news began to circulate that ABC Daytime is seriously toying with the idea of cutting their order of scripted, new episodes by 20 shows per year. "In a cost-cutting measure, ABC wants to replace as many as 20 episodes a year with 'classic episodes' of the three ABC soap operas," says a source. "These new, classic episodes would highlight current couples the network wants to promote."

In addition to the six holiday episodes a year where classic episodes are already aired, this would bring the total of annual re-airings of ABC Daytime soaps to 26. If it happens, this move would alter the guarantees ABC has to pay its actors, writers, directors, producers, etc. Keep checking back with Daytime Confidential.com as this potentially game-changing story develops...

SON Reports

Edited July 19, 201015 yr by AllmyDaysatGH

Wow, I would not like this at all but hey its better than cancelling any of their soaps. Before u know it, they will be only showing soap operas 4 days a week and Friday they will show a repeat.

Just cancel the ABC soaps. Quit trying to deny the fact that the ABC soaps suck and don't work anymore.

I actually don't mind them. And hey we might get a real classic every now and then if they want to promote the reunion of a long-time couple. So who knows?

Still would rather them cut the shows down to thirty minutes...

I think this makes more sense than canceling a soap, and the soaps of today are so empty that losing some airings wouldn't make a big difference, but I don't know if viewers could take selected reruns hyping such stuporcouples as Rylee, Todd/Tea, and Jason/Spinelli.

But what happened to producing one hour of dramatic television, everyday, five days a week, fifty-two weeks a year?

Actually, I think ABC should just go balls out and do two months of reruns(i.e. other daytime/syndicated shows). One month of reruns in July and spreading out the others during holidays and other events. Take the last week of June as the "season finale" and spend that month doing recap shows(ala Sunset Beach or the MyNetworkTV telenovelas).

"These new, classic episodes would highlight current couples the network wants to promote."

So then we'll be subject to watching episodes involving Ryan/Greenlee, Lulu/Dante, JamanDUH, etc?? Ugh, no thanks!!

Didn't I say that budget cuts would come if the demos don't improve? I don't see that ABC has much choice. It is either cut episodes or cancel the soaps sooner than later.

Eastenders only airs four days a week. ABC should go this route to save money.

Edited July 12, 201015 yr by Ann_SS

I would love it if soaps went to 4 episodes a week from Mon-Thur. Friday is typically the lowest rated episode of the week anyway.

I actually don't mind them. And hey we might get a real classic every now and then if they want to promote the reunion of a long-time couple. So who knows?

I hope they consider airing some classic episodes from the 80's & 90's, that would be awesome

Eastenders only airs four days a week. ABC should go this route to save money.

I wouldn't mind this. But I would rather they take Friday off instead of Monday

Edited July 12, 201015 yr by AllmyDaysatGH

Actually theres 9 days I just counted that ABC doesnt air new episodes of their soaps:

New Years Eve and Day

Memorial Day

4th of July

Labor Day

Thanksgiving and the day after

Christmas Eve and Day

ABC could use a majority of these 20 episodes during the summer.

I wouldn't mind this. But I would rather they take Friday off instead of Monday

Monday is usually the highest rated episode. No way soaps will want to take Monday off.

Monday is usually the highest rated episode. No way soaps will want to take Monday off.

Good point. Taking Wednesday off might work better. It is usually one of the lowest days and they can start refocusing on cliffhanger Friday.

I'll never understand ABCD's desperation to sell specific soap couples. Not everyone likes the same couples. Telling good stories is the way to bring and keep the audience.

Edited July 12, 201015 yr by Ann_SS

Didn't I say that budget cuts would come if the demos don't improve? I don't see that ABC has much choice. It is either cut episodes or cancel soaps sooner than later.

Eastenders only airs four days a week. ABC should go this route to save money.

What would ABC Daytime air on the fifth day? Three hours of According to Jim reruns?

I think the only way to really cut costs at ABC Daytime(while still getting international/syndicated interest) is to replace one of the three shows with a *true* procedural or anthology series. That way, a rotating roster of guest-stars(i.e. out-of-work soap actors who keep begging for a gig) will still get work, the production costs are relatively low because you only have maybe 6-10 people on contract(as doctors, cops, lawyers, etc.) and the same sets can get used/recycled each mystery.

Honestly, any one of three could be replaced at this point and it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference to me. But the audience for such shows exist. Those off-net procedural reruns get better ratings/demos than our daytime soaps.

If this is what they need to do to keep OLTL on the air, then I say go for it. I'd love to see some "classic" shows from One Life.