(SoapOperaNetwork.com) — As we reported back on April 25, SOAPnet will not be handing over its valuable cable/satellite space to Disney Junior as soon as expected after a scathing report by Deadline.com revealed the incompetence of numerous Disney executives. Now an ABC representative has confirmed to Soaps in Depth that Deadline was in fact correct in their report, although they didn't touch the poor management issue.
Instead of launching in January 2012 as originally thought, SOAPnet Disney Junior is now expected to launch at some point in early 2012 as the Walt Disney Company begins signing new contracts with cable and satellite providers such as Comcast, Time Warner, Cox Communications, DirecTV and Verizon FiOS, just to name a few. The new deals would cover carriage agreements for powerhouses ESPN, Disney Channel, Disney XD, ABC Family and even the ABC Television Network now that it too receives re-transmission fees from cable and satellite operators (courtesy of its Owned & Operated stations).
With "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" now set to end prior to the departure of SOAPnet, what could the network possibly air in their place? According to the ABC rep, SOAPnet will "absolutely have programming" in place, but was unable to comment on which programs would replace the two iconic soaps. Sadly, it would most likely turn out to be the 260th marathon of reruns of "Beverly Hills, 90210," since that is what they'll be airing on Mother's Day (May 8).
What ever happened to reruns of the soaps that gave the network ratings in the first place?
- All My Children
- One Life to Live
- SOAPnet
- DirecTV
- Deadline.com
- Soaps in Depth
- Beverly Hills, 90210
- Deadline Hollywood