The Biz: Why ABC Lost Hope for Its SoapsGreater choice and audience fragmentation have meant lower ratings for all programs. The daytime soaps built their cost structure during a time when the networks had little competition. The ratings have reached a point where even after cutbacks, ABC was on a path to lose money on ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE if they stayed on the air next year.
The cost of producing each ABC soap ran from $750,000 to $1 million a week. The new shows that will replace them will each be $575,000 a week or less.
CBS is already seeing higher profits for its new daytime chatfest THE TALK, even though the ratings are slightly below those of AS THE WORLD TURNS, the soap it replaced. When CBS recently gave multiyear renewals to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS and THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL, it was at significantly lower license fees.
New York Times: DVRs Give More Shows a Lifeline
The digital video recorder was supposed to lay waste to network television. Instead the playback device is offering some shows a lifeline — so much so that network programmers now factor in ratings a full week after a show’s scheduled appearance.
That process could change the calculations made as network executives gather in Los Angeles in the next few weeks where, surrounded by spreadsheets, flow charts and piles of research data, they will decide the fates of shows on the ratings bubble.
Currently, networks are paid by advertisers only for how many viewers watch the commercials in their shows over the first three days after a show is broadcast — a model known as “commercial plus three” (C3) ratings. But networks are monitoring how shows do over a full week after they are broadcast to gauge the depth of audience interest and loyalty. And, though they are not pressing the issue, they would eventually like to persuade advertisers to take more notice, as well.
Mexican actress to be sentenced in marriage case
A Mexican-born actress who has admitted to lying to immigration authorities is due in court Monday for sentencing. Prosecutors are not seeking any prison time for Fernanda Romero, an actress who has had bit parts in U.S. films but is perhaps best known for her role in the Mexican soap opera ETERNAMENTE TUYA.
WHERE ARE THEY NOW: Former PORT CHARLES star Brian Presley
Brian Presley, a former Jenks High School football player who now works as an actor, talks to students including Austin Ross during a drama class at Jenks on Friday. Presley quarterbacked the Trojans from 1993-95.
Presley didn't mince words Friday when describing the difficulties in launching an acting career. He noted that only about 2 percent of the members of the Screen Actors Guild actually earn a living as actors.
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
