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May 27, 2012

Disney Drops SoapNet Channel for New Kiddie Network

by Allison Waldman, posted May 26th 2010 10:45PM
soapnet_logo_disneyAfter 10 years and 75 million subscribers, the SoapNet channel has been cancelled. The move was a major shock, although considering the demise of daytime dramas across the dial -- including the end of 'As the World Turns' this September -- it's likely a sign that the soap opera genre is on the endangered species list.

Disney intends to replace SoapNet with a channel called Disney Junior, which will be aimed at preschoolers, ages 2-7, according to a report in The New York Times. The lineup will include many current Disney Channel shows like 'Mickey Mouse Club,' 'Handy Manny' and 'Jungle Junction,' as well as feature films like 'Aladdin,' 'The Little Mermaid' and '101 Dalmatians.'

The switchover from SoapNet to Disney Junior will not be immediate. The only date given by Disney was 2012, but The Times reported that Disney would keep SoapNet going for 18 months or so.

The company is working on establishing advertising commitments for the programming that it currently airs: CBS's 'The Young and the Restless,' NBC's 'Days of Our Lives' and all three ABC soaps -- Disney owned properties -- 'All My Children,' 'General Hospital' and 'One Life to Live.'

Anne Sweeney, co-chair, Disney Media Networks and president, Disney/ABC Television Group, explained the reason for the company dropping SoapNet, and emphasized changing technology as the reason for abandoning soap-oriented programming.

"SoapNet was created in 2000 to give daytime viewers the ability to watch time-shifted soaps, before multiplatform viewing and DVRs were part of our vocabulary," she said. "But today, as technology and our businesses evolve, it makes more sense to align this distribution with a preschool channel that builds on the core strengths of our company."

In other words, kids will be watching live and that's an audience that's constantly being replenished. Soap fans, on the other hand, are watching on DVRs and online at their own convenience. The service provided by SoapNet is no longer as special as it once seemed to be. Frankly, if Disney had launched it in 1990, it might have been a tremendous success.

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ursulab51

I'm so upset about them doing this also, I hope another network picks them up soon.

May 17 2012 at 10:47 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cindy Clark

Soaps have not gone away by any means.Prime time has many scripted shows that are soaps.Day time Sony NBC and CBS has no problem with theirs soaps because they market them! ABC set out to destroy their soaps because they wanted out of the business.If they had marketed their soaps they would be even more money making.Disney owners of ABC and Soapnet and they are greedy a shame even though Bob Iger started his career with a soap he dumped millions of fans.All people still watch day time soaps by live, recording or soapnet.ABC,CBS and NBC was supported by day time soaps for many years their news and prime time shows.Why do children need another network here in FL DirecTV has 14 children's networks.Children should not be watching TV mor than 3 hrs a day.They get a favorite channel and do not usually change to another!So I hope one of these smart business savvy TV companies start a new soap network they are going to have a very loyal millions of viewers for this any other networks they own.

April 07 2012 at 11:17 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lucille1937

soapnet had 75 million viewers and disney jr will have bunch of brain dead kids parked in front of tv,24 hrs a day, getting fat like little robots, guess abc disney thinks parents are the dumb ones.sorry but i like to go out in fresh air, go to beach,or just play with dog in yard and guess who will be outside with me,not in front of a tv.since abc disney thinks so highly of me and my fat lazy kids, disney land parks are too much work,for them to visit over easter break or nice vacation instead of watching tv.just think of all the money i'll be saving then,then getting rid of comcast of new jersey is another 160 mo in my pocket so no soapnet , no abc, no disneyland or disney products, sounds good to me lol

April 07 2012 at 9:58 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
lucille1937

kids do not watch tv 24 hrs a day,so this is complete flop. abc and disney seem to forget,we,the parents pay the cable bill, not our kids, i haven't watched anything on abc except for gh,one hr a day 5 days a week since oltl was taken off and i don't even think to look to see whats on there now. also i'm boycotting everything disney,vacations vitamins toys since that happened. now that soapnet is disney jr, i'm trying to replace comcast of new jersey for one that carries soapnet.not paying for something i don't get, my comcast bill is over 150 a mo,so i know comcast will miss us

April 07 2012 at 9:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Edna Jackson Barefoo

I am learning more & more about evil. I always believed there was good in everyone but ABC Disney has proved me wrong. 1st Frons wants to train us like an animal & now Sweeney wants to breed us like cattle. What is she thinking? And she also does not think that a show on for 40--50 years is not a success. Mr. Walt Disney would fire all of you. He had a heart. ABC Disney & their execs care nothing for people if they can treat them like animals. How is your pockets that you never get enough money. And we know that is all you care about. We hope more fans join our BOYCOTT.

April 06 2012 at 11:34 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
heather

im not happy about this at all i work durning the week during the day so i miss my soap so i would catch up at night and now i cant im very pissed off about this

April 03 2012 at 11:50 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Cal

This is terrible, Why drop a program which was watch by so many viewers. There are already enough programs which are not enjoyable and for those of us who do not have children ages 2-7 why should we suffer. This is not good. If good programs continue to be cancel then I may as well drop cable this big cable bill I got. I like Disney, but grown ups want grown up programs.

March 29 2012 at 10:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Lisa Weiner

I feel that it's terrible that disney jr. is taking over soap net because I really enjoy watching my favorite daytime soap opera General Hospital on Sunday nights also because I work during the weekday and I can't watch General Hospital at during the weekday at all. I would make me very happy if soap net stays on the air that way I could watch General Hospital on Sunday evenings. Please soap net on the air. Lisa Weiner

March 25 2012 at 8:59 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
miz03

this is bs.I watch the soapnet ALL the TIME. Gilmore girls, one tree hill, 90210, the OC, Brothers and sisters. Not to mention my daytime soaps when I miss one or it is interupted by a breaking news report. I am so upset. There are enough disney kid channels

March 19 2012 at 7:16 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
DallasGurl3699

Where am I going to go to watch 90201 reruns?!?! I LOVED their "Breakfast in Bed" format and am sad that this has gone away :(

January 13 2012 at 2:46 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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