Disney Drops SoapNet Channel for New Kiddie Network
After 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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