November 1-5, 2010

[CouchTomato]

It's not "if ABC is sold," it's "when ABC is sold and to whom." As they say on soaps, it's complicated.

What is the involvement of NBC's soon-to-be new owner Comcast in the multi-year renewal Days just received? Did they have to sign off on it? Was or is Comcast involved at all? Thanks in advance.

FYI, here is some background on Frons and the SoapNet sale:

‘Being Erica’ Renewed For A Third Season By SOAPnet

Posted on 11 May 2010 by Bill Gorman

via press release:

SOAPNET SURPASSES 75 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS AND PICKS UP CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED SCRIPTED DRAMA "BEING ERICA" FOR THIRD SEASON

Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, announced today that SOAPnet has surpassed the 75 million household subscriber milestone, and has also picked up a third season of the critically acclaimed original scripted drama, "Being Erica," from BBC Worldwide, Americas.

"Being Erica is a series that won the hearts of our audience and also brought new viewers to SOAPnet," said Frons. "As the network continues to grow, we look forward to following Erica on her endearing journey of self discovery."

http://tvbythenumbers.com/2010/05/11/being-erica-renewed-for-a-third-season-by-soapnet/51037

DC item dated 5/27/10 about Michael Logan's interview with Brian Frons regarding SoapNet/Disney Jr.:

"It’s very hard right now in the cable world to reach 75 million homes. It has taken us 10 years to achieve that. It’s much easier for Disney to transition a channel than to start one from scratch.".......Brian Frons.

http://daytimeconfidential.com/2010/05/27/brian-frons-on-soapnet-content-the-original-programs-have-been-loss-leaders

(CouchTomato fearlessly predicts Disney will not be transitioning the homes of 75 million soap fans to their new preschool channel.)

Another article on Michael Fairman's website:

Brian Frons on the upshot of the decision to end SOAPnet!

Soap fans are in an uproar today, and with good reason. The one and only 24 hour cable destination, that in its heyday, offered up original soap opera programming, SOAPnet, as well as day and date repeats of five of the current seven daytime dramas is being sent to soap opera cable heaven. In its place, coming in 2012, Disney Junior a channel aimed at preschoolers.

Brian Frons President, Daytime, Disney-ABC Television Group, spoke this afternoon to Soap Opera Digest about what this means for the future of ABC daytime.

Frons if fans should be worried about AMC, OLTL, and GH: "They shouldn’t be worried. Over the years, Disney has made a lot of commitment to the Disney brand. As they looked out in the marketplace, they really felt they needed to be in the preschool space with a full-branded channel. Given the way technology has gone, where you can DVR your soap, watch it on Hulu and abc.com, it was felt that the original purpose of SOAPnet - today’s soaps tonight - could sort of be fulfilled in different ways. Frankly, financially it will be better for us, because if you watch on daytime, we actually make more money than if the same person watches on SOAPnet, just because rates are that different between the network world and the cable world......" More at:

http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/brian-frons-on-the-upshot-of-the-decision-to-end-soapnet/2010/05/26/

[Gray Bunny]

I think that's when most soaps started their decline in creativity, quality, and identity...

[Gray Bunny]

Granted, I'm no AMC expert, but I think you can get an excellent glimpse into what made the show special by watching their weeklong 25th anniversary episodes from January 1995.

[TeamEric]

For me AMC jumped the shark forever when Erica stole Maria's baby. I quit watching AMC in disgust. By the time of the un-aborton, nothing AMC pulled surprised me anymore.

[Saving ATWT]

The soap line up makes money simply by virtue of the fact that these shows are repeats, re-purposed from ABC. SoapNet pays non of the production costs and clearly there are enough viewers to sell advets. I'm not saying the profits are huge, that is probably why Disney is changing format, but there is, nonetheless and however small, profits. I didn't read this anywhere and this is just a common sense thing. Free content+adverts+cariage fee equals profit.

[skiman12082004]

It looks like ABC is committed to all of their soaps for the moment. Yes, AMC is last in the demos so far this season but we are still very early in the season. It was also pointed out that the difference between 5th and 6th place is ONLY 72,000 viewers. If a profit can still be generated, however small, I don't think AMC, GH or OLTL are going anywhere. I am just hoping that AMC can move up again and break that 1.0 in the 18-49 demo. Maybe the new additions will help.