(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — DirecTV is gearing up for its debut of “Passions” after the daytime soap leaves its broadcast network roots behind for a more limited subscriber base.

Beginning Monday, September 17, “Passions” will make DirecTV’s Channel 101 (aka: The 101) its network home for its daily dose of drama, passion and mythical creatures. The soap will continue to air at 2pm, EST as it did on NBC for eight years. However, “Passions” will now air on a Monday through Thursday schedule instead of the typical Monday through Friday schedule it had become accustomed. Encore episodes will air each day at 7pm, EST with a weekend marathon of the weeks episodes airing Saturdays beginning at 10am, EST.

In January, after NBC announced plans to extend its “Today” franchise to four hours, it quickly became clear that the additional hour would come at the expense of “Passions.” Affiliates balked at the idea of giving the network back an hour for its daytime lineup, so the network had no choice but to cave by giving affiliates the “Passions” hour.

DirecTV is currently the multi-channel provider to 16.3 million subscribers.

“Passions” lasts airs on NBC on Friday, September 7, 2007.