Like many a soap opera storyline, the saga of SOAPnet’s ultimate fate has been stretched out for a long time now, with many fans of the channel wondering, “When is SOAPnet going off the air?” ever since word started in 2011 that the network would be ending and making way for Disney Junior.
ABC has confirmed with us that SOAPnet will be ending at the end of 2013, and it doesn’t seem likely to pull the “back from the dead” maneuver that so many characters in soap history have managed.
“SOAPnet goes off the air at 11:59pm Dec 31st” read an email from an ABC publicist, in answer to my request for further information about the fate of SOAPnet and any potential new network homes for soap opera re-airs.
SOAPnet had managed to stay on a few systems over the past few years thanks to the outcry from soap fans, but this finally looks like the end. With very few daytime dramas left on the air, SOAPnet, at the end, was only showing same-day re-airs of Days of Our Lives and General Hospital (The Young and the Restless re-airs went to TVGN earlier this year), along with some very old re-airs of All My Children, which is no longer on the air. Aside from those two soaps, SOAPnet also aired old TV programs like Beverly Hills 90210 and Veronica Mars to fill up its schedule.
But while SOAPnet may not have shown as many actual soap operas as it did during its heyday, the ones it did attracted some decent Twitter conversations among fans during its evening re-airs. So, while the ABC publicist assured me that “Fans can catch GH repeats on abc.com, iTunes, hulu, by DVR’ing, it, etc. … check with NBC for Days info,” and that is all very true, what may end up missing is the sense of community tweeting while first-shifters watch the SOAPnet re-airs all together in the evening.
But soap fans are a hardy bunch, and will likely find a way to live with this development. And SOAPnet was able to at least hang on through the 50th anniversary year of General Hospital, allowing evening viewers to catch up on those events (and perhaps even help draw them back into the show’s daytime airings, as it has had a ratings surge in recent months).
As the intro to a legendary soap informs us, “Like sands through the hourglass, so are the days of our lives.” And after nearly 14 years on the air, the days of SOAPnet’s life are rapidly running out.
What do you think? Will you miss SOAPnet, or are you fine with watching soap opera re-airs online?
SOAPnet goes off the air Dec. 31 at 11:59pm to make way for Disney Junior.
(Note: We’re hearing from some readers that their systems have pulled SOAPnet within the past few days. Other systems such as DirecTV are still airing SOAPnet, but it will be gone on all systems after Dec. 31).
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Ian Buchanan and Finola Hughes in “General Hospital” — Courtesy of ABC
Sooooooo disappointed that this is going off the air. There are many times when my favorite soap General Hospital gets pre-empted during the day or I just am not able to watch it during the day and I always know I can catch it in the evening on soapnet . Now I know I’ll be missing many episodes. Love my soap.
I too thought something was wrong as I tried to find “Days of Our Lives” on Soapnet tonight–it was so nice to be able to pick the time I could watch it each day/evening. I can’t believe that it’s gone. I’m very upset!!! I’m sure you will hear from a lot of us about this and no one will agree about this happening. This is a fine Christmas present–thanks a lot for not playing to your market…
BOOOO!!!!
Extremely disappointed. Soapnet was my evening entertainment and preference for watching my soaps is evening due to my day schedule. It was my only reason for having the channel line up that I have with Comcast – – I will now downgrade and save money. I know I can watch online, however, it is not same day airs – – it is next day.
I thought I was going crazy! I was looking forward to unwinding with GH tonight as I do every night after work and Soapnet was gone. I had to call someone to make sure it wasn’t just me. Boooooooo.
I rushed home to see Soapnet and to my surprise it was GONE! I called Charter and they said that it was not their fault and that Disney took it off the air. They better find some way to replace it or I’m going to have to find some other way to see my soaps at night. I’m P*SSED! This just doesn’t make sense.
Yes, PLEASE BRING BACK SOAPNET!!!!!!!!!! If not, hopefully there is someone smart out there to start a new channel — doing the same thing! I, too, was completely shocked when I just turned my channel to wind down from the day and watch my soaps — and it’s gone!
The Soapnet channel was the “only” reason I have the cable package I have. I will now down grade to a cheaper selection. If another station picks up “Days” and airs in the evening then I’ll be the first to watch.
Yes, I totally agree that soapnet was the only reason why I paid for the cable plan that I have. Just turned to my channel to watch and it is gone… just confirmed with comcast. I am truly upset …. usually have it on all day and watch the old 90210 , veronica mars … and what about the all my children episodes???? I know they were re-runs, but c’mon. Very sad and upset about this!
I think this is so stupid. Who the f*** wants to see Disney Jr, surely not the teenagers. If I could remove all the Dizzy channels from my TV, I surely would.
Why don’t you just go off the air period!!!!
I was shocked when I tuned in today at 9:00am to find soap net gone!
No warning, no message from comcast, nadda! When I called comcast they said it was a signal problem and would be back up tomorrow! Having read these posts I know now they lied. They had no idea what was happening and I am not a happy camper. It is not as easy or as enjoyable to watch GH ON a computer. I am not home at 2:00 and relied on SOAPNet’s recasts.
Aargh! Soap fans and soap operas are NOT a thing of the past…bring back soap net!
I was mad because i look forward to watching G H & days of our lives
please don’t take the only entertainment now i have to find something
else to entertain me for 2 hours at night i have been a loyal fan since
i was 4 years old pleasedon’t take my shows away from me
jodi robinson
why did you take off our soaps. I work all day and look forward to relaxing, and watching my 2 favorite soaps. It’s just not the same watching them on line. Please try to bring them back on a different network, it would make all us dedicated soap fans very happy. I’ve been a fan for to long to give them up please rethink this and BRING BACK THE SOAPS!
My Mother,who is 92 ,and enjoyed watching soap net at night with all our favorite shows because there is time we have to be gone during the day. Soap net will be missed.
I can’t believe they are taking soap net off the air. I work days so I look forward to watching them at nite. That’s just not rite.
What a disappointment to turn on my favorite channel after a long day and boom! It’s gone! Please bring SoapNet back!
its so sad to see soapnet go this is what I looked forward to after a long work day
I am sooo mad……………………………………………
I work during the day and enjoyed 1 hour of General Hospital at 7 p.m. Online streaming is slow where I live. This stinks! And like the others, I’m upset they took it off before December 31st. Boo! Hiss!
I had turned to my favorite channel for early mornings (Brothers and Sisters) and the Breakfast in Bed on the weekends. Now that is gone too. I guess I will have to find something else to watch during the long boring days that have become my life since my autoimmune diseases have put me on 100 % disability for what ever is left of my life.
I am sooooo angry. They couldn’t even wait till the 31st! They took it off today the 19th of December! Thanks Diseny!!
SOAPnet gone from xfinity channel 109 when I woke up this morning and turned on the television.
i am dying already without 90210. SOB!
It was great to watch the fashions and jewelry on the big screen, not
online. Bring it back..we relax and love our SOAPS!