IT'S OFFICIAL"ALL MY CHILDREN" AND "ONE LIFE TO LIVE" TO CONTINUE ONLINE

ABC PRESS RELEASE

BURBANK, CA – July 7, 2011 – ABC has licensed its iconic soaps, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” to Prospect Park, it was announced today by Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group & Janice Marinelli, President, Disney/ABC Domestic Television and Rich Frank & Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park.  The exclusive multi-year, multi-platform deal enables the soaps’ stories to continue beyond their finale dates on ABC.  ABC will broadcast its final episode of “All My Children” on Friday, September 23^rd and will air the final episode of “One Life to Live” in January, 2012.

The licensing agreement, brokered by Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group, enables Prospect Park to continue production of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live” beyond their life on ABC. Prospect Park will produce and deliver the two long-running programs to consumers via online formats and additional emerging platforms including internet enabled television sets. Under the terms of the arrangement, the programs will continue to be delivered with the same quality and in the same format and length.  Additional details of the new productions and tune-in will be forthcoming from Prospect Park.

“We are privileged to continue the legacy of two of the greatest programs to air on daytime television, and are committed to delivering the storylines, characters and quality that audiences have come to love for over 40 years. ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are television icons, and we are looking forward to providing anytime, anywhere viewing to their loyal community of millions,” said Frank and Kwatinetz. “Technology changes the way the public can and will view television shows.  Now that there are so many devices available in addition to television sets, viewers are taking advantage of watching shows wherever they are and on any number of devices.  The driving force in making the switch and attracting new audiences is to have outstanding programs that people want to watch. We believe that by continuing to produce the shows in their current hour format and with the same quality, viewers will follow the show to our new, online network.”

“’All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ are iconic pieces of television history that captivated millions of fans since their beginning over 40 years ago,” said Frons. “Each of the shows have made an indelible mark on our culture’s history and informed our consciousness in their own way.  We are so glad Prospect Park has assumed the mantel for these shows and that they will continue for the fans.”

Marinelli continued, “From the time the shift in the daytime strategy was announced, our hope was to find a new home for these treasured shows.   We are thrilled to license them to Prospect Park so the stories of life in Pine Valley and Llanview can continue to be told for the passionate and loyal fans that enjoy watching each day.”

“I’m just so happy that ABC found a home where the legacies of ‘All My Children’ and ‘One Life to Live’ can continue.  I’m excited for their future with Prospect Park,” added Agnes Nixon, creator of both “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”  “It takes a lot of living to make a soap opera a serial, and the wonderful teams on both shows have done just that. Together, we are a big family that keeps going, and I’m looking forward to working alongside these wonderful people as we ensure that the shows will continue with all the love and excitement we’ve always had.  I also am so happy for our loyal fans, whom we love so much, and who have been so supportive over the last 40 plus years.”

Prospect Park is a media and production company founded in 2009 by entertainment industry veterans Jeffrey Kwatinetz and former Disney Studios head Rich Frank. Along with successful film and music divisions, the company’s television group has numerous shows in development and breakout network hits airing, including “Royal Pains” and “Wilfred.”

In April, ABC announced that it was expanding the focus of its daytime lineup to include more programming that is informative and authentic and centers on transformation, food and lifestyle.  “The Chew,” an innovative and groundbreaking daily talk show that celebrates and explores life through food, will premiere on September 26^th.  “The Revolution,” a daily show about health and

ABC CANCELS DAYTIME SOAPS "ALL MY CHILDREN" AND "ONE LIFE TO LIVE"

 
 Released by Rich Juzwiak/TV Guide.com

The reports are true: ABC has canceled All My Children and One Life to Live. Children will be abandoned in September, while One Life will die in January 2012. Both soaps are being replaced by health-related talk shows.

Upon hearing the news, Emmy winner Susan Lucci, who has starred on All My Children for the past four decades, released the following statement, “It's been a fantastic journey. I’ve loved playing Erica Kane and working with Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with All My Children. I’m looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities.”


 In Children's place, ABC will slot The Chew, a one-hour live show centered on food and hosted by restaurateurs Mario Batali and Michael Symon, Top Chef's Carla Hall , What Not to Wear's Clinton Kelly and nutrition expert Daphne Oz. ABC says the Gordon Elliot (Paula's Home Cooking, Down Home with the Neelys) production will "focus on food from every angle — as a source of joy, health, family ritual, friendship, breaking news, dating, fitness, weight loss, travel adventures and life's moments." Sounds yummy, but is it as yummy as Children?


Meanwhile, come January, The Revolution will take up the space left by One Life. That show will feature Project Runway's Tim Gunn, trainer Harley Pasternak and Kimberly Locke, who completed in the second season of American Idol. These hosts and a revolving pool of contributors will "help viewers transform all areas of their lives, from relationships to family, food, style, home design, finance and more," according to ABC's announcement. The Revolution will also include a different woman's five-month weight-loss story rolled out over the course of each week's new shows.

General Hospital now stands as the last remaining daytime drama on ABC. The cancellation of these soaps follows the axing of CBS' Guiding Light and As the World Turns in 2009 and 2010, respectively.