NBC has inked a deal with Sony Pictures TV to extend its run of DAYS OF OUR LIVES.
But in a sign of uncertain times for the daytime soap biz, the Peacock's pickup runs just 18 months. The previous renewal pact between Sony and Corday Prods. had a five-year term.
NBC's current deal for DAYS was set to expire in March, which means the new arrangement will keep the soap on the network only through September 2010. However, it's understood that another year will be triggered if certain perameters on the show are met. That would keep DAYS on the air through September 2011.
Shortened renewal comes as the economics of daytime TV -- particularly soap operas -- continue to sour. NBC has gradually eliminated most of its daytime sudsers, most recently moving PASSIONS to DirecTV (before eventually pulling the plug on that show altogether).
The reup also comes despite rumblings from NBC Universal topper Jeff Zucker a few years ago that DAYS OF OUR LIVES might not be renewed at all. More recently, Zucker hasn't been as vocal about a DAYS cancellation, although the short renewal could signal that NBC's long-term daytime plans may not include sudsers.
It's unclear whether NBC also negotiated a reduced license fee for the show. The Peacock was most recently shelling out $1.7 million-$1.8 million a week for the show.
As part of the renewal it's understood that the show, led by exec producer Ken Corday, will be making some onscreen changes as well, including some cast shuffles.
THEY CAN TAKE DAYS NOW .NO DEIDRE AND DRAKE. MARLENA AND JOHN ARE DAYS OF OUR LIVES THEY ARE ONE OF THE BEST COUPLES ON DAYS THERE IS NO NEED FOR ME TO WATCH DAYS JOHN AND MARLENA LAST DAY WILL BE MINE ABC OR CBS WOULD NEVER CUT THEY 2 TOP PEOPLE OFF THEIR SOAP THIS IS A FIRST THEIR ARE OTHER PEOPLE YOU COULD HAVE CUT NOT THE VETS FROM THE SHOW BIG MISTAKE TO CUT THESE 2 GREAT ACTORS DAYS WILL NOT BE THE SAME WITH OUT JOHN AND MARLENA THATS A FACT RATING ARE REALLY GOING TO BE AT THE VERY VERY BOTTOM NBC SHOULD TAKE DAYS OFF THE AIR LIKE I SAID ON J&M NO DAYS LOT OF J&M FANS WILL STOP WATCHING DAYS DENA NEEDS TO GO NEED NEW WRITERS WITH GOOD STORY LINES .KEN CODAY HOW COULD YOU DO THIS TO DEIDRE AND DRAKE THE BEST ON THE SHOW THIS HURTS ME I HAVE BEEN A FAN FOR 43 YEARS I AM 54 I WILL MISS WATCHING DAYS AFTER DEIDRE AND DRAKE LEAVE NO JOHN AND MARLENA I JUST HAVE TO STOP WATCHING DAYS FOR GOOD .DIANE
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