This item appears as part of Michael Logan's "SOAPS" column in the new issue of TV Guide:
IS SOAPNET SICK OF SOAPS?
Disney-ABC created SOAPnet as a showcase for daytime soap repeats, but they're getting harder and harder to find. The weekend ALL MY CHILDREN marathon has been canceled---such a dis to that landmark show---and the cable channel is now a dumping ground for old movies, some of them tangentially soapy("Mommie Dearest") but most with no suds connection at all("Clue," Down and Out in Beverly Hills"). There's also been a campaign to broaden the concept of "soap" with E!-style rip-off shows like RELATIVE MADNESS, which looked at Dina Lohan, Heather Mills and other showbiz train wrecks. Those swell ANOTHER WORLD reruns vanished, but BEVERLY HILLS 90210 airs 16 times a week. ABC also uses the channel to plug its prime-time lineup; witness the 10-hour DIRTY SEXY MONEY marathon(9/27). What gives? Who knows? A SOAPnet publicist vetoed my request for an interview about the changes.
Now even the media is turning. Can SOAPnet's complete demise be far off?
Those swell ANOTHER WORLD reruns vanished, but BEVERLY HILLS 90210 airs 16 times a week.
Not to mention BH90210 is available on DVD!
As are One Tree Hill and The OC--the complete series in both of these shows' cases.
I didn't know they cancelled the AMC weekend marathon. I don't watch AMC anymore and haven't for years, but that IS a slap in the face. They're not even airing their parent network's (ABC) currently running soaps anymore!
I haven't always agreed with Michael Logan, but in this case all I can say is, "Amen, brother!"
SOAPNet was a FABULOUS concept when it got started, but now it has gotten so far away from what it originally was that it's pretty much a different channel now...a channel that has people tuning out in droves.
I am sooo glad you posted this *tofulover* cuz I had two SN-related things myself ~
First, I saw this tidbit recently ~
SOAPnet announced Monday that the network surpassed the 70 million household subscriber milestone. According to the latest figures from Nielsen Media Research, the network is in 70, 134, 000 homes as of August 2008, representing a distribution gain of nearly four million homes over August 2007.
“Our affiliates continue to find SOAPnet a strong addition to their lineups, and we are thrilled to reach this milestone,” said Brian Frons, president, Daytime, Disney ABC Television Group. “SOAPnet has always been popular with advertisers, and this added distribution makes a stronger presence across the United States. We look forward to continued momentum throughout 2008-2009, as we continue to add more original programming to our network.”
In addition to steady distribution growth, SOAPnet has been ranked #1 in viewer loyalty for the past 71 straight months. Impressively, SOAPnet’s original series GENERAL HOSPITAL: NIGHT SHIFT's Season Two opener stood as the net's second-highest-rated season debut in the network’s history.
I had to laugh at this report cuz obviously SN can't tell the difference between "subscribers" and "viewers" when it comes to crunching the numbers. I'm a "subscriber" through no effort of my own ~ the network came with the cable package the DH ordered to get all his sports-related channels. It'll be a cold day in HELL before I become an actual "viewer" which I think is more important.
Secondly, I have been posting recently at the SN board but just to let some AW peeps know where/how they can find the AOL vids and *hulu* and every one of my posts have been deleted, especially if they have the link to those sites. I wanted to give those peeps, particularly one named BigAWFan, a link to this board but it's virtually impossible since SN removes the posts as fast as I can hit "submit." Talk about not wanting what few viewers they have to flee.
And there is nothing but disgruntled messages in the "General" area of the SN board, many people listing the exact same things that Michael Logan says in his TV Guide article. LOVE that ML mentioned AW ~ I've only seen him say positive things about AW, past and present.
A _________________ "It has been a magnificent journey..." ~ Linda Dano, 1999 Daytime Emmys
I just have to say that I am no longer disappointed that Soapnot is not in Canada. Sounds like I'm not missing anything. We have lots of channels that have shows just like the ones that SN now airs. TG the internet shows what true soap fans like. Thank you Youtube, AOL and HULU!
Sharon _________________ I'm not fighting this anymore, it's no use.
I'm still hoping someone out there will pick up the ball,
and start a channel truly devoted to classic soaps.
Judging by the # of views at hulu & AOL...
...if they build it, we will come...
...and while I'm *wishing*, I hope "they" have the good sense
to hire peeps like LD for the NEW programming instead of
running old movies.
In my 'perfect' other world,
the exception to that would be
previous material with soap favorites in them...
{Like the "Hitchcock" epi with Constance Ford}
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