Soap opera fans have been busy during 2010 and 2011. They have had to stomach the cancellation of a number of their programs. They have also been figuring out how to respond to these cancellations and have been organizing to save their programs.
Soap opera fans may have reason for hope. There are actually alternatives emerging on the horizon. Online programmers are showing some interest in the canceled soaps. Also, a well-known industry figure may be emerging to rescue some of the older soap opera programming.
Prospect Park and Online Soap Operas
Prospect Park is an online programming service founded by a former Disney executive. Prospect Park has licensed the now canceled All My Children and One Life to Live and is planning to show them in an online format. In a news release, Prospect Park co-founders Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz said, “The viewer response to the shows we have licensed has been tremendous, and we have much more in development to appeal to a broad audience base.”
This new online network plans to debut in January of 2012 and make the soaps available whenever the fans wish to access them. Of course, high speed access is not available to everyone in the United States. There may be an option soon for soap opera fans to catch older episodes of their favorite shows.
Soaps May be Coming to DVD
Broadway Video, which is owned by Saturday Night Live pioneer, Lorne Michaels, has bought the rights to the Procter and Gamble (P & G) soap opera catalog, which includes many of the canceled shows.
Soap Opera columnist, Nanci Hughes says of this development,
“This is a blessing because P&G, having no respect for these beloved and terribly missed soaps have sold the rights to Guiding Light, As The World Turns, Another World, Search for Tomorrow and Texas to a company that apparently does.”
What this may mean, is that for the first time ever, older soap opera episodes may be available for the first time on DVD, and possibly streaming video.
After having to stomach nothing but bad news concerning their programs, soap opera fans can finally look to enjoy some of their favorite programs for a long time to come. Digital technology may be bringing new life to some favorite programs. They may also have access to their favorite episodes from days gone by. They can finally see some sort of future for their programs.
Jon Pike - Pike is a Ph.D. in communication and writes about activism and popular culture topics for Suite101.
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