Thursday, April 14, 2011

Brian Frons on Soaps: 'The Strongest Will Survive'

"It's like any other genre on TV, the strongest will survive," Brian Frons told TheWrap following today's cancellations of ALL MY CHILDREN and ONE LIFE TO LIVE. "Right now we're down to the last few that are still strong and viable and economically sound."

As for the replacement shows, Frons said they cost about 30 to 40 percent less to produce than the soaps. He did not say if he considered other scripted programming, including new soaps, at those same costs. Said Frons, "I don't want to get into the dollars and cents of it but I think that's a fair way to say it. Certainly to frame it up for any general readers to understand that these are a significantly cheaper way to schedule the day part."

What about the fate of GENERAL HOSPITAL, ABC's lone remaining soap? "As long as we have good ratings it will stay in the lineup," Frons said.

12 comments:

  1. but it doesn't have good ratings actually they are just a few notches higher than OLTL why does this man want to turn every network he has into a reality network!?

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  2. Frons is a idiot!!!!!!!

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  3. If no one is watching the new shows or any other ABC programming, then it won't matter how cheap they are to make, will it? ABC's biggest mistake is not firing Frons years ago.

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  4. well if he was truly going by which abc soap was economically sound then OLL would be the last ABC soap standing that they have come in UNDER budget for years now. while the other two have not. LIES!Brian LIES!

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  5. Brian Frons needs to be replaced not the soaps!!

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  6. All garbage. OLTL is a strong show and less expensive than GH. GH is the next to go because the ratings will tumble after these stupid shows air.

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  7. I wanted to become a television writer because of pioneers like Agnes Nixon and the powerful storytelling of daytime dramas like AMC and OLTL. These days, insightful and engaging storytelling is a rarity in both daytime and primetime. Programs have become bland because building an audience and honoring television history doesn't mean anything to executives. All executives care about is embracing current fads that will make them the most money in the shortest period of time.

    If ABC truly cared about their viewers, they would have considered other, cost-effective options. Why not return to a half hour format? ABC could have also tried distributing the shows to an international audience. Both of these business models have helped sustain the Bold and the Beautiful for decades. Another option would have been to reduce the number of weekly episodes as Direct TV tried with Passions.

    American soap operas have always been comfort food to our nation and a creative way to understand the human condition. I applaud Agnes Nixon as well as all of the AMC and OLTL actors, writers, and crew members who have given some much of their time and talent over the decades. I hope they understand that there is still a market for the work they do and that people do still care about good storytelling.

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  8. When OLTL ends in Jan. ABC will be dead to me. Between now & then I will make sure ABC's sponsors know why I won't be buying their products!
    Way to go Frons you not only killed our soaps but an entire network!

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  9. OLTL has been the best show on ABC for a long time now. I also will be boycotting all of ABC, of which I have always been a loyal viewer. Goodbye GMA, World News, Desperate Housewives. I think it's a great idea to get in touch with any advertisers who buy into the new programming and tell them we will not buy their products as another way of boycotting ABC. Also boycotting everything Disney!!! Go to hell Brian Frons!!!

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  10. I cannot believe this, it's not like they don't have a large following, I have been a soap fan since I was a little girl and it started with Love of Life and Search for Tomorrow. One life to live has been on the forefront on real issues for years now and don't deserve to be cut. All my children I must admit has gotten a little boring and I hope they end it with some happy endings instead of the same o same o.. God knows I will miss them, I rush home from work to watch my DVR every day and have been an ABC Soap fan forever...I think it’s a huge mistake, but can't buck the people with the bucks pun intended.

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  11. Brian should be cancelled not the soaps. BIG MISTAKE!!!!!!!!Keep our soaps on. OLTL is the first thing I watch when I get off of work. It's on my dvr. Leave it alone!

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  12. Frons is talking out his butt. He says it's all about money but OLTL came in UNDER budget every month so WHY is it being canceled? TIIC need to take in consideration DVR & internet viewing. Everyone please write emails, make phone calls. We need to band together to SAVE OUR SOAPS!!!! CANCEL FRONS!!!! BOYCOTT DISNEY!!!!!

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