Soap Channel Announcements:
SOAP OPERA CHANNEL #1
SoapNet debuted on cable stations January 24, 2000
DIRECTV and ABC have inked a deal to broadcast SoapNet nationwide via DIRECTV. No information is available as to a launch date at this time.
SoapNet will also air original soap programming their first series is titled Soap Center.
Disney and ABC have announced a new 24 hour all soap channel to premiere in nine months on cable and satellite stations. Reportedly programming will feature ABC soaps, classic primetime soaps, and original programming.
The big questions now are whether or not they'll air NBC or CBS soaps as well, or whether someone else will start another network to compete against the Disney/ABC Soap Opera network that does air shows from the other networks.
The new channel will be called Soap Net and has so far acquired the rights to these shows:
- All My Children
- General Hospital
- One Life to Live
- Port Charles
- Ryan's Hope
- Knots Landing
- The Colbys
- Sisters
- Falcon Crest
- Hotel
There is a website up for the new network. You can find it at: http://www.soapnet.com/
Soap Opera Channel # 2The latest word on the streets is that SoapCity will not be a cable channel. Instead the programming will be offered via pay-per-view.
SoapCity may never happen according to Soaps In Depth magazine. The new cable channel that would be competing with Disney and ABC's SoapNet may be delayed or never hit the air waves due to rising financial costs.
Hollywood Reporter is reporting that following close on the heels of Disney/ABC's announcement of their new soap channel, Columbia TriStar Television plans to announce its own soap opera network as well.
This network would be called Soap City and would re-broadcast:
- Days of Our Lives
- The Young & the Restless
- Guiding Light
- Another World
- As the World Turns
Soap City is offering to fax your cable provider on your behalf requesting the addition of the new channel to your current cable lineup. All you have to do is go here: http://www.soapcity.com/information/channel.html fill out a quick form, and they'll fax the information in.