Logo

SoapNet Getting Original

Mar 8, 2009  •  Post A Comment

Simply running replays of daytime dramas isn’t enough for SoapNet anymore.
Brian Frons, who oversees SoapNet as president for daytime at the Disney ABC Television Group, is unveiling a new slate of original shows for the cable channel, including two weekly scripted serials, as the upfront advertising market approaches.
The channel also has acquired all seven seasons of off-net series “Gilmore Girls” and movie packages from Disney ABC Domestic Television and 20th Television that include “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” and “While You Were Sleeping.”
“We want to keep growing, and ultimately there’s a point where just growing your distribution—we’re up to 71 million homes now—is not going to be enough jet fuel,” Mr. Frons said. Maintaining the momentum requires new investments in programming to complement the daytime soap operas that are the core of the cable network’s primetime schedule, he said.
Programming spending is “increasing nicely,” despite tough economic times in the TV business. “We’ve actually been able to show that additional investment will bring additional profits.”
Last year, SoapNet ranked 40th among advertising-supported cable networks in total viewers in prime time. Its viewership rose 1% from 2007.
Ad buyer Ed Gentner, senior VP and group director at MediaVest, said SoapNet has done a good job adding programming that can bring in new viewers, particularly younger women.
Unlike many cable networks, SoapNet doesn’t need original programming to establish an identity, because it is so steeped in daytime drama, he said. Nevertheless, having original shows would be attractive for SoapNet.
“Whether it defines you or not, if you do have a successful original, it’s likely to bring in new viewers, so you’re not necessarily hitting that same soap viewer over and over again as an advertiser, and that strengthens the network, too,” he said.
Derek Baine, an analyst at SNL Kagan, notes that SoapNet got some nice buzz from hockey-themed series “MVP,” which it imported from Canada last summer.
Mr. Baine estimates SoapNet spent about $54 million on programming and generated $58 million in ad revenues in 2008.
The two scripted series SoapNet has in development are “Julia’s Tango” and “Santa Monica.”
“Julia’s Tango” is a Dutch show from Endemol about a woman born in Argentina, raised in the Netherlands, who returns to Buenos Aires and turns the family home into a bed-and-breakfast.
The show is being adapted by American writers with American actors, but it’s being shot in Argentina where costs are extremely low, Mr. Frons said.
“Santa Monica” is a dramedy about a group of 20-something best friends living together at the beach.
In these tough economic times, both shows give viewers a chance to “go on a little bit of an emotional fantasy, maybe a financial fantasy” by featuring “strong young women trying to make the best life they can, if not in material terms, in emotional terms,” Mr. Frons said.
Production is expected to begin later this month on “Holidate,” a reality special in which a woman from New York trades places with a woman from Los Angeles and they date the men in each other’s lives. “Holidate” is schedule to premiere in the fall.
The network also is working on an unscripted show in which celebrity mothers and daughters with relationship issues work out their problems with a therapist.
The unscripted shows are being produced by ABC Media Productions.
SoapNet currently is airing “Being Erica,” like “MVP” a Canadian import, and plans to launch “Southern Belles: Louisville” on May 21.
Mr. Frons sees “Belles” as “Sex and the City” in Kentucky. He said the women span different social and economic strata, steering away from a theme of conspicuous consumption.
SoapNet is counting on “Gilmore Girls” to help attract younger women to the channel, much as “The OC” and “Beverly Hills, 90210” did before.
Those shows have been appearing on weekends as part of a “Breakfast in Bed” block, which has increased ratings by 57% on Saturdays and 97% on Sundays. The shows replaced marathons of the previous week’s daytime dramas.
“Those marathons, which used to be the bread-and-butter of SoapNet’s weekend, just don’t have as much value,” Mr. Frons said. “By the weekend, people have had three or four chances to see their favorite soaps, so we’re trying to create weekends that have their own viability.”
Some of those young women who tune in for the off-net shows also discover the soaps, creating a new generation of viewers. “It’s the circle of life,” Mr. Frons said, repeating a well-known Disney refrain.
SoapNet also has a budget for movies, and is getting a big assist from Tom Zappala, senior VP of program acquisitions and scheduling at ABC Family, who now is also buying films for SoapNet.
“It’s allowing us to aggregate our money and share runs between the channels,” Mr. Frons said.

79 Comments

  1. Are you sure the information about Gilmore is correct? Two weeks ago ABC Family announced it acquired the rights to the seventh season and it is a staple of that network. I doubt that ABC Family would make a big deal out of getting the seventh season, only to hand the entire series to SoapNet. Please clarify if this is something to do with a weekend window for syndication of GG, as this seems to suggest.

  2. I just was an ad on SoapNet so I am sure it is true.

  3. Does this mean “Gilmore” reruns won’t be seen on ABC Family anymore?

  4. I just read online (Hollywood Reporter – http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3ia82652ffac56b32ec8f8e04d3291ba2b) that SOAPNet is a sister channel of ABC, so I don’t think ABC Family is missing anything with this deal. I also read that ABC family will be handing the series off to SOAPNet.

  5. i love gilmore girls. will there be new episodes or just reruns

  6. i love gilmore girls. will there be new episodes or just reruns

  7. On Young & Restless,
    To have Sharon’s baby taken away is horrable. To do that to Nick and Sharon after every thing they been through.With Cassie. I am so mad. I have been watching this show every since it has aired. Iam so mad that I could stop watching it.
    Jenny

  8. Dear Nevada, Kindly stop Sharron Angle … her words appear to always be an example of incoherent bigotry.

  9. I wish to retire for the. However I want to remain upward as well as listen to Mumford & Son’s. Selecting the latter.

  10. Sky news get a little obsessive on doable terrorism in The european countries, but strangl quiet with an “Legitimate” bomb in derry.!!!.!

  11. Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass’ favor.

  12. This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work 🙂

  13. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  14. High quality info here! Keep up the great work. I love the feelings being expressed.

  15. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  16. We do not know what to express. This website is actually fantastic. Thats not seriously a actually substantial statement, nevertheless its just about all I possibly could come up with following scanning this. You understand a lot about this subject matter. A whole lot so that you produced me would like to learn a little more about this. Your site is my stepping stone, my buddy. Interesting oversees about this subject.

  17. Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon

  18. I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success 😛

  19. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  20. This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.

  21. Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.

  22. I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I’ve bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.

  23. Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.

  24. High quality info here! Keep up the great work. I love the feelings being expressed.

  25. I would like to start my own blog one day. This was a really nice blog that you made here. Keep up the success 😛

  26. I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I’ve bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.

  27. Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.

  28. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  29. Dreamin. I love blogging. You all express your feelings the right way, because they are your feeling, focus on your blog it is great.

  30. Double Cream offers 100% authentic luxury brands at guaranteed lowest prices and FREE shipping. We are specialists in Mont Blanc pens.

  31. mont blanc pens,mont blanc dublin,mont blanc pens dublin,mont blanc pens ireland ,cheap mont blanc pens,mont blanc pens prices.

  32. The largest UK authorised Mont Blanc retailer stocking the entire Montblanc range of ballpoint & fountain pens, cufflinks & wallets. FREE next day UK.

  33. Cheap mont blanc pens prices,mont blanc pens nyc,discount mont blanc pens,cheap mont blanc pens,mont blanc ballpoint pens,mont blanc pens wholesale.

  34. Compare Mont blanc pens price and read Mont blanc pens reviews before you buy. Find the best deal on Getprice.com.au.

  35. Great blog!! You should start many more. I love all the info provided. I will stay tuned 🙂

  36. Interesting thoughts here. I appreciate you taking the time to share them with us all. It’s people like you that make my day 🙂

  37. Double Cream offers 100% authentic luxury brands at guaranteed lowest prices and FREE shipping. We are specialists in Mont Blanc pens.

  38. Luxury pens Year End Sale pens, ballpoints, fountain pens at unbelievably low online prices.

  39. Compare Mont blanc pens price and read Mont blanc pens reviews before you buy. Find the best deal on Getprice.com.au.

  40. Nice!! Great Ifo. Great People. Great Blog. Thank you for all the great sharing that is being done here.

  41. Hey how are you doing? I just wanted to stop by and say that it’s been a pleasure reading your blog. I have bookmarked your website so that I can come back & read more in the future as well. plz do keep up the quality writing

  42. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  43. Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.

  44. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  45. This is good info! Where else can if ind out more?? Who runs this joint too? Keep up the good work 🙂

  46. I love the expression. Everyone needs to express there own opinion and feel free to hear others. Keep it up 🙂

  47. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

  48. High quality info here! Keep up the great work. I love the feelings being expressed.

  49. This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.

  50. Keep focusing on your blog. I love how we can all express our feelings. This is an extremely nice blog here 🙂

  51. I really like the colors here on your blog. did you design this yourself or did you outsource it to a professional?

  52. Completely I share your opinion. In it

  53. Interesting layout on your blog. I really enjoyed reading it and also I will be back to read more in the future.

  54. Way to focus and straight to your point, i love it. Keep up the work people. Dont let anyone stop us bloggers.

  55. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. 🙂

  56. I love the way you write and also the theme on your blog. Did you code this yourself or was it done by a professional? I’m very very impressed.

  57. This post just spared me alot of digging around. Thank you. Also check out http://www.kmusikonline.com

  58. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.

  59. I am extremely impressed with your writing skills and also with the layout on your blog. Is this a paid theme or did you customize it yourself? Either way keep up the nice quality writing, it’s rare to see a nice blog like this one these days.. 🙂

  60. This is the best blog I’ve ever seen in my life! I really appreciate you taking the time out of your busy day to share your this with everyone.

  61. Just in case you didn’t know… your web site looks extremely odd in Chameleon on a mac

  62. Neat blog layout! Very easy on the eyes.. i like the colors you picked out

  63. Hey Blogger,When you write some blogs and share with us,that is a hard work for you but share makes you happly right?good luck and cheers!

  64. Such a amazing discussion you all got happening. Everyone loves the mix of good and correct details together with a number of intellectual views. It is great to be able to at last find good discussions where I think I could trust the text and admire those who whom publish it. Because of the net garbage nowadays I continually enjoy uncovering some true presences on the net. Thank you for writing and continue the good work, please!!

  65. Thanks for sharing such useful information.

  66. Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.

  67. Thanks for your insight for the great posting. I am glad I have taken the time to see this.

  68. Love the blog here. Nice colors. I am definitely staying tuned to this one. Hope to see more.

  69. Have you tried freecorder before for downloading youtube? If so – got any feedback? Would love to hear your review.

  70. Awesome. I’ve been digging all more than the world wide web and via the tar information files for this! Thank you for discovering this out and putting it up. patio store

  71. Wow, amazing blog layout! How long have you been blogging for? you make blogging look easy.

  72. Great wordpress blog here.. It’s hard to find quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate people like you! take care and see you soon

  73. Fantastic page, I like how the website looks! The style is wonderful!

  74. Every single once within a while I locate one thing really worth reading when I am surfing the net. Bravo?- thanks for creating real content here?-

  75. On the income Joseph Sims.

  76. Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast! What host are you using? I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

  77. I love your blog.. very nice colors & theme. Did you create this website yourself or did you hire someone to do it for you? Plz reply back as I’m looking to create my own blog and would like to know wheere u got this from. thanks

  78. Amazing freakin blog here. I almost cried while reading it!

  79. I agree with your thoughts here and I really love your blog! I’ve bookmarked it so that I can come back & read more in the future.

Your Comment

Email (will not be published)