SOAPnet

Infobox_TV_channel
name= Soap Net
logofile=Soapnet logo.gif
logoalt=Soapnet
logosize=150px
slogan= "The New Way to Watch Soaps"
launch=January 20, 2000
network=Disney-ABC Television Group
owner=The Walt Disney Company
picture format=480i (SDTV)
headquarters=
former names=
sister names=ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel
web= [http://soapnet.go.com/ SOAPnet.com]
terr avail=Not Available
sat serv 1=DirecTV
sat chan 1=Channel 262
sat serv 2=Dish Network
sat chan 2=Channel 188
cable serv 1=Available on most cable systems
cable chan 1=Check Local Listings for channels
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SOAPnet (stylized from 2000 to 2002 as SoapNet) is an American cable television channel. It has been broadcasting current and past soap operas since January 20, 2000.

The history of SOAPnet

In the beginning, the network only aired current ABC soap operas in the evening and early morning, so people who worked could watch at their convenience. The programming was inclusive in the beginning as the network is owned by ABC. The channel has high cable coverage due to Disney's aggressive policy of pulling ABC affiliates and the highly viewed ESPN networks from cable companies if they wouldn't agree to also carry SOAPNet; this was the main reason for WABC (Channel 7) being [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/SHOWBIZ/TV/05/02/time.warner.02/ pulled from] Time Warner Cable in Manhattan for two days in May 2000.

There were plans by Sony Pictures Entertainment to launch a competing channel and website called SoapCity when SOAPNet was announced, which would air all of the CBS soap operas and NBC's "Days of Our Lives", a Sony-owned/produced show. The plans were later abandoned early in 2000 for the cable channel after failing to acquire cable carriage, though the website component remained.

The SOAPnet channel's inaugural lineup aired current soaps such as "All My Children", "One Life to Live", and "General Hospital", plus cancelled daytime and nighttime soaps such as "Port Charles", "Falcon Crest", "Knots Landing", "The Colbys", "Hotel", "Sisters", and "Ryan's Hope".

As the years went on, SOAPnet tried its hand at original programming, like "Soap Center" and "Soap Talk", the latter of which has been nominated for many Daytime Emmy awards, most recently in 2006 for Best Talk Show Host(s). "Soap Center", which debuted the same day as SOAPnet in early 2000 , initially hosted by former soap stars Brooke Alexander and David Forsyth, but a year later, they were replaced by, Peggy Bunker discussing East Coast soaps and Tanika Ray discussing West Coast soaps. By 2003 , Peggy was let go and soon after the show ceased filming original material. Other original series include "1 Day With", a half-hour of "General Hospital" star Wally Kurth interviewing soap actors, "I Wanna Be a Soap Star", a recurring reality series which gives 12 young actors the opportunity to compete for a contract on a daytime soap, and "Soapography", a 30-minute show which profiles two different soap opera actors in each episode which mainly focuses on their life and which soap they're in.

In 2002 , SOAPnet began airing reruns of "Dynasty", and by 2003 SOAPnet added highly requested programming such as reruns of "Another World" and "Dallas", Replacing "Falcon Crest", "The Colbys", "Hotel" and "Sisters". In 2004, SOAPnet acquired same-day episodes of "Days of Our Lives" and in September of the same year, they began airing reruns of "Melrose Place", and added the mother show of "Melrose", "Beverly Hills 90210" in January 2005 . On April 24, 2006, SOAPnet began offering same-day episodes of "The Young and the Restless".

"Ryan's Hope", which had not been seen since it was cancelled in 1989, was shown from its debut in 1975 until the late 1981 episodes. At this time, many viewers who did not have SOAPnet at its inception petitioned to rerun the show from the very beginning. In 2003, the network aired the first episodes starting on St. Patrick's Day. Currently, the episodes being run are from 1977.

From time to time, the network airs past episodes in thematic format, such as "Daytime's Most Unforgettable Weddings", spotlighting the best episodes of popular couples on the ABC soaps. Other thematic blocks of episodes aired include the "Sonnylicious!" marathon, showcasing the best of Maurice Benard in his role on "General Hospital", and the "Tad the Cad" marathon, with classic episodes of "All My Children" from the 1980s, in which the character Tad Martin, played by Michael E. Knight, beds Liza Colby and then her mother, Marian, in quick succession. This is usually limited to the series they have rebroadcast rights to (ABC's lineup, "Days", and "Y&R"). However in a lead-up to the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, the channel showed episodes of soaps that showcased performances that garnered award-nominating attention--including those from "Guiding Light" and "As The World Turns"--a first for the network. On Labor Day--September 3rd 2007--an O.C. marathon called "Summer Spice" was aired showing Summer's metamorpheses throughout the series.

Since the network is a subsidiary of the Walt Disney company, special deals have been made to broadcast events from the annual ABC Super Soap Weekend, which is held every November at Walt Disney World, and in the summer at Disney's California Adventure. Lisa Rinna and Ty Treadway from "Soap Talk" have hosted question and answer sessions at the events, allowing fans to ask questions to their favorite soap stars.

In January 2005 , the network began to air the Fox dramas "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place", and in the spring of that year aired repeats of short-lived nighttime soaps "The Monroes" and "Skin". In 2004 SOAPnet reran a short-lived '80s soap called "Paper Dolls". In July 2005 SOAPnet picked up the Fox primetime soap "Pasadena", including nine episodes not aired during the show's initial run which debuted in the fall.

Some viewers complained about what they viewed as an overabundance of primetime programming, some of which ("90210" and "Melrose Place") had only been out of original broadcast for a few years and had been repeated on other networks. These fans also object to the large amount of new episodes of the ABC lineup and "Days", and have repeatedly requested rebroadcast of old daytime soaps such as "Loving" (which Disney/ABC have the rights to), "The Edge of Night", "Santa Barbara" and "Search for Tomorrow". SOAPnet is reportedly working on a second channel which will broadcast older soaps, but the channel has yet to materialize.

On March 16, 2006, SOAPnet announced that it had finally acquired the rights to daytime ratings winner "The Young and the Restless" and began airing it in April — making it the first CBS network soap to air on the network.

On February 7, 2007, SOAPnet announced that it would be picking up the reruns of The OC and One Tree Hill. The deal made with the shows' production company, Warner Brothers, guarantees One Tree Hill a Fifth Season whether or not The CW decides to continue with the series. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117958932.html?categoryid=14&cs=1]

In November, Deborah Blackwell left her position as general manager. ABC Daytime president Brian Frons will assume her duties.

In August 2008, it was revealed that SOAPnet had lost rights to air both "Dallas" and "Melrose Place" and they would discontinue airing the 2 shows in September.

General Hospital: Night Shift

During Summer 2007, SOAPnet aired a prime-time spin off of "General Hospital", entitled "", which became its highest-rated program to date, pulling in 1 million viewers for the premiere episode. Viewership dwindled over the course of the 13 week series, putting a second season in jeopardy. The first season wrapped up on October 4, 2007. It was renewed for another season, naming new Head Writer, Sri Rao, and a new Executive Producer, former "Passions" Executive Producer, Lisa De Cazotte. It premiered on Tuesday, July 22, 2008 to rave reviews and accolades.

ee also

* List of programs broadcast by SOAPnet
* ABC Daytime
* List of DirecTV channels
* List of Dish Network channels

External links

* [http://www.soapnet.com/ Official Site]