In the January 23 issue of TV Guide, the magazine reveals that one scenario being discussed for GENERAL HOSPITAL is having the drama continuing as a short-run prime-time summer series. It would be similar to Spanish-language networks' telenovelas, says an ABC insider. Those telenovelas, by the way, continue to show growth in the ratings.Even if the cost of production doubled over the typical soap budget (around $200,000 per episode), a nighttime version of GH would still be inexpensive for an original scripted show.
Not ideal, but anything that will keep the soaps alive is worth trying! They shouldn't cancel GH though!
ReplyDeleteOK so first I'm gonna go into my rant (because I'm still wallowing)
ReplyDeletewhy couldn't this be done for OLTL the soap that was under budget, and higher in ratings!
That being said I also love my GH (and my poor AMC) and anything that keeps the show on the air I'm all for. I'm so happy that finally FINALLY they are thinking outside the box. Even Though Gloria Monty wanted to do this years ago.
Totally if they made it more like GH:NS season 2. In fact it was so good that it was better than GH and they were so embarrassed that they couldn't bring it back for a 3rd season. The show had Robert, Jagger and a Gay Doc in a story with Chad Allen. It was also Mob free!
ReplyDeleteThey already did that, a few years ago on SoapNet, it didnt work, why would it work this time? ABC just looking for any excuse to get rid of it, ABC can go shove it!
ReplyDeleteIt did work on SoapNet but they couldn't afford to keep it going. If I remember the ratings for GH: Nightshift were pretty good.
ReplyDeleteBut I agree with you about ABC...snake oil salesman.
Yea, but if it couldnt work then money wise why would it work again? It was a very good show, I wish it could of worked, but the way ABC is now, all they want to do is cancel everything, they don't care about ratings or the fans.
ReplyDeleteWell it may be cheaper this time around if there is no GH on during the daytime. They'll only be producing the short run primetime GH at night...so no GH at 2 pm right?
ReplyDeleteI totally agree that this is what should have been done with OLTL from the beginning. I've said for the last couple years that this is ultimately what the remaining soaps may need to do to stay alive and the updated format may very well make for stronger shows in the end.
ReplyDeleteHolding on to hope a similar kind of deal can be made for OLTL.
I don't buy, because when it bombs in PT, because ABC\Disney would probably schedule against Fox's AI, they will come back a say it didn't get the ratings and cancel it. I don't trust ABC this is to just jerk around people once again, I wouldn't watch.
ReplyDeleteMost likely the reason they're considering doing this with GH, as opposed to OLTL or AMC, is because that show's "median viewer age" is still around 51 (the lowest of all the remaining daytime soaps). The other two ABC soaps were over 54 now -- with OLTL going on 55 and and AMC's close to 58. So maybe they think they can still make some money with the 25-54 demo. - jmho
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