SOAPnet to Go Dark in 2012

Is this the sign of the Apocolyse that the Mayans told us about? Or just the sign of the beginning of the end of daytime soap operas? We hope the answer to both is NO!

In a press release sent out last night, the Walt Disney Company announced it will close its SOAPnet cable channel and replace it with a service aimed at preschoolers:

In 2012, Disney Junior will take the place of SOAPnet, a 10-year-old channel devoted to soap opera reruns that is available in about 75 million homes, according to Anne Sweeney, co-chairwoman of Disney Media Networks. Disney’s current preschool operation — a block of programming on Disney Channel and about two dozen Playhouse Disney international channels — will be rebranded Disney Junior starting next year.


“This represents the next step in a global preschool strategy that started 10 years ago with the introduction of dedicated channels overseas,” Ms. Sweeney said. Disney Junior will not feature advertising. It will be geared to a slightly wider demographic, ages 2 to 7, than other preschool offerings like Sprout and “Sesame Street,” which typically are aimed at ages 2 to 5.


Programming on Disney Junior will include about 200 new episodes annually of current Disney Channel shows (“Handy Manny,” “Special Agent Oso” ) and new series like “Jake and the Never Land Pirates,” an animated series about children who pretend to be pirates and encounter Captain Hook. In the works are other shows that play off classic Disney characters (think princesses). Other offerings will include classic Disney movies like “101 Dalmatians,” “Aladdin” and “The Little Mermaid.”


Ms. Sweeney called the decision to unplug SOAPnet “a tough one,” but something that made sense from a business perspective because the original purpose of the channel — time shifting soap operas from day to night — has grown obsolete with the rise of digital video recorders.

Disney, currently selling up-front advertising for SOAPnet, emphasized that the channel will not go dark for another 18 months or so. Disney is still in the process of obtaining revamp approval from cable affiliates that carry it. Although ABC remains committed to its soaps (“General Hospital,” “All My Children”), other broadcasters have been moving away from the genre, limiting the amount of product available for SOAPnet.

Days: Such a Tease!

NEXT WEEK:

* Baker realizes Hope is planning to hurt not only Bo.

* D.A. Woods informs Arianna that her alibi is shot.

* EJ (James Scott, pictured) believes Nicole is connected to the muggings.

* Melanie thinks Chloe is pushing to get married for a reason.

* Victor spends his wedding evening with Maggie.

Thursday – Stephanie admits to Nathan that she might be pregnant.

Friday – PRE-EMPTED

Don't Miss Days Moments!

The week of June 7, Days of Our Lives will be addressing the death of Frances Reid, who had portrayed the Horton family matriarch Alice Horton since 1965. Jennifer Deveraux (Missy Reeves) and Marie Horton (Maree Cheatham) will come back to pay their respects — there will be donut-making, as well as many memories shared. Don't miss it!

Days: Such a Tease!

THIS WEEK:

* Sami worries about Stefano’s influence on Will.

* Stephanie senses something is going on with Philip.

* Chloe expresses her concerns about Carly to Nicole.

* Maggie realizes Victor (John Aniston, pictured) is trying to protect his family.

* Baker thinks that he won’t be able to control Hope.

Thursday – Vivian and Victor take the next step.

Friday – Carly changes her mind about keeping Chloe’s secret.

Y&R: Such a Tease!

* Will Abby (Hayley Erin, pictured) push Ashley and Victor over the edge with the antics from her new reality show?

* As Jana and Kevin grow further apart, Jana turns to someone else for comfort.

* Cane takes drastic measures to save Lily’s life knowing that it could cost him everything he loves, including his family.

* Even as she struggles to get her life back from Patty, Emily has no idea that the battle has just begun.

* Victoria fears that J.T. may learn the secret that she is desperate to keep.

B&B: Such a Tease!

· Revenge becomes an obsession to someone who has lost so much to an enemy.

· A confession of infidelity is made by a cheating husband.

· A marriage officially comes to an end.

· A hopeful man longs for a reunion with his newly single ex-lover.

· A family celebration is planned for an exciting occasion.

Miscellaneous Casting News

On The Young and the Restless, Don Swayze (the late Patrick Swayze's brother) appears as Charlie Shaw on June 9, 11 and 12. Also, Sean Young appears as “Meggie” on June 9, 10, 11 and 12.

Melissa Reeves (pictured, with Matthew Ashford) reprises her role of Jennifer on Days of Our Lives on June 9.

Reggaeton Rapper Daddy Yankee guest-stars as himself on The Bold and the Beautiful on June 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7.