BTG: History, Behind the Scenes Articles & Photos

[Liberty City]

I am sure their planning is absolutely fine. They know what they're doing. CBS has a lot invested in this.

[Chris B]

Plus there is always a big political story so I wouldn't use the election as a reason to delay the show. 

[Slutty Shauna Fan]

Do they though? So they have intentionally run Bold & Y&R into the ground then? I don't believe CBS/Paramount has a clue at all. Case in point, the albatross that is Paramount+.

Yes CBS has a lot invested in this which is why I expected them to have made smarter decisions. As for a synergy perspective it would have also made more sense to premier BTG when Bold & Y&R now view their seasons as starting.

 

[Liberty City]

You don't seem to understand: CBS does not produce either of the Bell soaps, whereas CBS Studios is producing Beyond the Gates with the NAACP and Procter & Gamble Studios, so they have a bit more say/control in things that they don't at either The Bold and the Beautiful (Bell-Phillip Television Productions Inc.) or The Young and the Restless (Bell-Phillip Television Productions Inc./Sony Pictures Television).

And the "seasons" are, again, a CBS thing that's been done the past few years. I trust CBS knows what they're doing over over-excited fans who want things "now" because they're becoming impatient.

And, historically speaking, a lot of soap operas debuted in the first quarter of the calendar year.

Edited October 25, 2024 by Liberty City

[ranger1rg]

I think it's out of date to think a new soap has to premiere in September. Network primetime shows now begin new seasons in October, and streaming/cable don't worry about the calendar at all.

[Chris B]

CBS has no control over B&B which is why Brad Bell is still the Headwriter. Sony and CBS have been fighting since 2005 over control of Y&R. Steve Kent is now directly overseeing the show so that would tell me that Sony is winning that fight. 

A big part of why they want Beyond the Gates to do well is because it's a show they have a stake in and can make more money from. I think if this does well B&B could be in trouble. 

[ReddFoxx]

Would have to agree that CBS knows what it is doing. They would not greenlight a new daytime soap and then not promote and debut it properly.

[dc11786]

The show got the greenlight in March, right? There was no way there was going to be a fall 2024 launch. Not possible for an hour long show filmed in a location that hasn't produced a soap opera in nearly 40 years. I think fall 2025 would have been possible. January's original premier date was the result of accelerated development.  I have to wonder if they will launch in March in order to be able to celebrate all the CBS daytime lineup at the same time. Probably not likely given the cancellation of "The Talk," but something to throw out there.

Personally, I am hoping that production is being pushed back a little bit. Given that the filming was suppose to start around the election, I hope a slight delay would allow for the show to touch upon the outcome of the election from the start. To set a show in the Maryland / D.C. area with a core family involved in the political sphere and not being able to reference the possibility of  first woman of color president would be something that people would pick up on. 

[Slutty Shauna Fan]

Can you be any more patronising. I am fully aware that CBS does not own or produce the Bell soaps.

Yes the seasons are a CBS thing, BTG is going to be on CBS hence why from a business synergy point it would have made more sense to debut it in line with their other shows. It has nothing with me being an over zealous impatient fan. Reach much.

Yes I know historically, take notice of that word, they premiered at different points of the year in the past, when there was more viewers and less choices. Premiering a new soap amidst a massive political campaign, sport preemptions and going into warmer weather and other things doesn't make a whole lot of sense. 

Honestly it seems more like desperate fans clinging to the notion that CBS is infallible and are beyond reproach and know exactly what they are doing when every evidence available in multiple areas says otherwise.

 

Why are you talking about Network or cable. Is BTG on cable or a primetime show? Hardly any soap has premiered in September so it isn't an out of date notion at all. It was merely a suggestion to get as many eyeballs watching at the most opportune time. 

 

To think they cannot dictate or have some say in decisions regarding B&B or Y&R, especially as they are paying a licensing fee is absurd. It's airing on their company of course they have some sway, just not enough and they don't generate an income from it other than ads. Up until recently they probably haven't had too much of a concern with Brad anyway. Besides they can just use him to save money on the licensing fee by claiming reduced ratings.

Of course they want BTG to do well, just like all the other shows they green light. Many fail and that's even with CBS thinking they know what to commission and where to schedule.

BB will just move to streaming I'd imagine.

 

My whole point is that they should have launched a new soap years ago when ratings were better and the genre not so anemic. That's the point I was trying to make in some other responses, rather than the date of announcement this year. It seems very late in the day to launch a brand new soap when they don't seem particularly concerned about the state of their other soaps, which are bleeding viewers and demos annually at an increased rate.

Touching upon or adding politics to a show is going to be its death. Alienating large amounts of viewers over politics seems reckless and suicidal. Don't most viewers want fictional drama and escapism away from reality anyway?

[Liberty City]

You're getting exactly what you're giving. 

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Yes, I know. Hence why I stated what I stated; there is such a thing as a mid-season premiere, which is what this is going to be, and there isn't anything wrong with it. It's a smart decision on their part. Technically, they're debuting it in-line with how both Bold and Restless debuted: mid-season. A lot goes into getting these things off the ground, and it's clear they would not have been ready for a fall premiere. Again, CBS knows what they're doing. They're the professionals.

And never called you specifically the impatient fan but, if you feel that was a call-out, then the shoe must fit, no?

But stay there, thinking you know-it-all and know more than the professionals that are getting paid to do their job right now. Admin of this site already told us CBS is putting money into this soap, and money into their campaign, to the size of primetime, so we have that to go on, as well. So, I suppose they're lying, too and don't know what they're talking about?

[Slutty Shauna Fan]

Wasn't even talking to you originally so why you felt the need to unnecessary insert yourself with attitude is beyond me.

 

BB & Y&R debuted decades ago in a different media landscape. Back then it probably wouldn't have mattered when it started airing given the healthy viewership and lack of choices.

No you implied passive aggressively. 

So because you think I had attitude or was a know it all that then gives you the right to act smug, condescending and pissy at me. If you don't like my tone or have a problem you could have PM and let me know. 

Of course professionals can never be wrong. It's great CBS is going to give a marketing push and pump money into a soap, that's what they need to and it would be poor business decision if they didn't.

I don't get why you think I'm saying CBS is lying. I never called or implied they lied about anything. I just don't think they've made some smart choices. Which is my opinion.

 

[Liberty City]

Uhm, I didn't?

Once again, I gave out what was given towards me, so in return: you could have easily come to me, via PM. They work both ways, which is fascinating, right? Fortunately enough, I actually don't have a problem.

Wishing you the best in whatever you choose to do, etc.

Edited October 25, 2024 by Liberty City

[dc11786]

I think the large amount of viewers who would be offended by the political references wouldn't be watching a show with a pre-dominantly African American cast, but I have been wrong before. A show that has a central character who is a gay African American politician with ambitions to be the first out president doesn't seem like a show that is going to ignore what could be a huge moment in this country's history. 

People have different reasons for watching soaps. Some do want pure escapism and fictional drama. Others would prefer drama that is based on character and social issues. Some want a little bit of everything.  Furthermore, some of the character outlines suggest issues that I don't really feel are escapist (drug problems, sexual harassment in the work place). Also, given the number of couples that are already paired off it doesn't seem like this is the vein of escapist fantasy, but (again) I could be wrong.  

Edited October 25, 2024 by dc11786

[Slutty Shauna Fan]

Apologies I didn't realise I had already replied to you and if my tone wasn't received the way I intended I'm sorry. 

[Vee]

Anyone who thinks this won't be a part of the show in 2025 is out of touch. And any soap too scared to deal with it is already dying. Namely, all of them.