Seed Newsvine
There has been a great deal of talk both in and out of the industry about how the soap opera genre has run its course and should be phased out. These same people point the across the board falling rating without taking account or in some cases totally disregarding the changes in viewing habits, the societal changes and technological advancements. The genre fan base is not diminishing; in fact, it is expanding to included demographics that were previously embarrassed to admit their guilty pleasure. However, in recent years the genre has fallen victim to stagnation and network greed.
According to Nielsen, the number of viewers has been steadily decreasing. However, their outdated accounting methods do not take into account online viewing or delayed viewing. Instead they continue to rely on the diaries and equipment, which by passes all recording devices thereby ignoring a vast proportion of television viewers. With the busy schedules and easy access to recording equipment has given viewers the option to watch their favorite shows based on their own schedules; no longer tied to the networks’ timetable, viewers are able to watch their shows when they want and as many times as they wish.
It has been known for decades that the Nielsen diaries under reported daytime viewers, while propping up more “socially acceptable” programming. Many viewers simply didn’t want to acknowledge watching soap operas. For decades, it wasn’t cool to watch soaps. Yet as the storylines and characters became more complex and socially relevant, the stigma attached to watching them vanished. Characters and plots became topics of conversations not only across the back fences of homes as housewives gossiped, but also around the water coolers and in schools across the country.
Originally targeting stay at home wives and mothers, soaps focused on the family and romance. However, as the genre matured, suspense, drama and humor became an intrical part of their popularity. As the plots and conflicts became more intricate, soaps gained in popularity by broadening their appeal beyond house bound women. Although women continue to be the primary demographic, they are not the women of yesteryears. Instead of being housebound, many women have joined the work force; yet through the use of current and developing technologies, they have been able to keep up with their favorite soaps. One major difference that has developed over the decades is the age difference in the typical viewer. When soaps first appeared on television, the primary viewers were mid-teens to early thirties; however, as with the whole country, the median age of the soap viewer has risen to 37.6. Yet, network executives fail to take into account the both of these important changes in their viewership. Instead, they continue to court the younger viewers even though they don’t have the interest, loyalty or consumer spending power to attract the traditional soap advertiser.
In addition, unlike other programming, soaps have the unique advantage of being passed down from one generation to the next.
One only has to look at the popularity and the diversity at soap events to learn that the fan base hasn’t shrunk. Events sell out quickly. Mechanizing the soaps is a multi-million dollar industry. Magazines, websites, internet radio shows and blogs follow not only the soaps, but also the individual stars. Millions of dollars exchange hands
Soap operas are not diminishing in fans or popularity; they are suffering from stagnation and network greed. How many times can a beloved character be killed and brought back to life without the Whose the daddy? Love triangles
To read the storylines I wrote for Days of Our Lives go to my site at www.theresachaze.com. There you will also find excerpts of my novels, the proposal for Operation Home Base, and my feature films.
To
Showing posts with label Cancelation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cancelation. Show all posts
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Soap Opera Fans: Mad as Hell and They Aren't Going to Take it Any More
Soap Opera Fans: Mad as Hell and They Aren't Going to Take it Any MoreBy
Theresa Chaze
Like so many industries, television is financially top heavy with over paid executives, who suck up the profits while giving little or nothing back. The banking industry is a prime example of how those create nothing take the lion share of the profits, while those who do produce are asked to make financial sacrifices. Instead of taking across the board pay cuts, the television executives have decided to cut the quality and the diversity of their programming. By choosing amateur based “reality” shows over, those produced by talented and creative professionals, they under cut the unions, while disregarding the viewers.
In television, this can be best seen in the rapid movement toward the cheaper talk and reality shows. Using their declining revenue as an excuse, the networks are cutting production values of shows produced by professional casts and crews until such time as they are more financially secure. It is the equivalent of Taco Bell taking tacos off their menu until they sell enough burritos to make it cost effective to sell tacos again. Replacing quality product with cheaper doesn’t increase customer-viewer satisfaction; it forces them to seek other venues of satisfaction. As in all industries, the customer is always right or they become someone else’s customer.
Soap operas have been the hardest hit, not because they have lost popularity, but simply the modern family needs two incomes to survive. Originally targeting the stay at home mothers, the soaps focused on advertisers that appealed the needs of women, hence the name soap opera. However, one would only have to look at the highly profitable industries attached to soaps to learn just how loyal the fan bases are. The conventions, interview requests, and the multitude of websites are only a small example of industries, which have spun off the genre. Fans spend millions of dollars each year supporting hotels, conventions centers, and other fan events just to meet the soap opera stars.
As more women joined the work force, the popularity of soaps seemed decline. However it is the out dated ratings system failed to compensate for modern technology. Only those who watch the show live are counted by Nielsen Media Research. The system disregards any viewer who records and watches a show later. Instead of adjusting the viewer measuring system, the executives are using it as an excuse to cut the salaries of popular actors and creative technical people. They claim poverty while doing the equivalent of Merrill Lynch spending a million dollars to redecorate an office and giving out bonuses early. Instead of finding more efficient methods of accumulating viewer data, they are choosing to use it as an excuse to cancel soaps.
What started at Days of Our Lives has already begun to spread to the other soaps. The bad writing, the firing of major stars, while replacing them with talent-less younger actors, and the cutting production values is what is costing the shows viewers not the lack of interest. Loyal viewers are turning the channel not because they don’t love their show, but because they don’t recognize it any more.
It is time for soap fan to send a clear message to the networks. As in the movie, Network--it is time to stand up and say--”We are as mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore!” The across the board boycotting of NBC for it’s systematic canceling the daytime soaps on it’s network will not only sent a clear message to them, but the other networks who might contemplating the same course of action. The only way to get their attention is to make them bleed in the wallet. Sending letters, emails and making phone calls no longer makes a difference; hit them at their bottom line and you start speaking their language. The power to control is seen on the television comes from the viewers' remotes, not the executives' office. It is time to for the fans to take their power back and demand that the soap opera genre be saved.
Theresa Chaze
Like so many industries, television is financially top heavy with over paid executives, who suck up the profits while giving little or nothing back. The banking industry is a prime example of how those create nothing take the lion share of the profits, while those who do produce are asked to make financial sacrifices. Instead of taking across the board pay cuts, the television executives have decided to cut the quality and the diversity of their programming. By choosing amateur based “reality” shows over, those produced by talented and creative professionals, they under cut the unions, while disregarding the viewers.
In television, this can be best seen in the rapid movement toward the cheaper talk and reality shows. Using their declining revenue as an excuse, the networks are cutting production values of shows produced by professional casts and crews until such time as they are more financially secure. It is the equivalent of Taco Bell taking tacos off their menu until they sell enough burritos to make it cost effective to sell tacos again. Replacing quality product with cheaper doesn’t increase customer-viewer satisfaction; it forces them to seek other venues of satisfaction. As in all industries, the customer is always right or they become someone else’s customer.
Soap operas have been the hardest hit, not because they have lost popularity, but simply the modern family needs two incomes to survive. Originally targeting the stay at home mothers, the soaps focused on advertisers that appealed the needs of women, hence the name soap opera. However, one would only have to look at the highly profitable industries attached to soaps to learn just how loyal the fan bases are. The conventions, interview requests, and the multitude of websites are only a small example of industries, which have spun off the genre. Fans spend millions of dollars each year supporting hotels, conventions centers, and other fan events just to meet the soap opera stars.
As more women joined the work force, the popularity of soaps seemed decline. However it is the out dated ratings system failed to compensate for modern technology. Only those who watch the show live are counted by Nielsen Media Research. The system disregards any viewer who records and watches a show later. Instead of adjusting the viewer measuring system, the executives are using it as an excuse to cut the salaries of popular actors and creative technical people. They claim poverty while doing the equivalent of Merrill Lynch spending a million dollars to redecorate an office and giving out bonuses early. Instead of finding more efficient methods of accumulating viewer data, they are choosing to use it as an excuse to cancel soaps.
What started at Days of Our Lives has already begun to spread to the other soaps. The bad writing, the firing of major stars, while replacing them with talent-less younger actors, and the cutting production values is what is costing the shows viewers not the lack of interest. Loyal viewers are turning the channel not because they don’t love their show, but because they don’t recognize it any more.
It is time for soap fan to send a clear message to the networks. As in the movie, Network--it is time to stand up and say--”We are as mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore!” The across the board boycotting of NBC for it’s systematic canceling the daytime soaps on it’s network will not only sent a clear message to them, but the other networks who might contemplating the same course of action. The only way to get their attention is to make them bleed in the wallet. Sending letters, emails and making phone calls no longer makes a difference; hit them at their bottom line and you start speaking their language. The power to control is seen on the television comes from the viewers' remotes, not the executives' office. It is time to for the fans to take their power back and demand that the soap opera genre be saved.
Saturday, November 22, 2008
Days of Our Lives: Why it will be Cancelled
Days of Our Lives: The Numbers Don't Lie
By
Theresa Chaze
Even though the ink isn’t even dry the new agreement, which renews Days of Our Lives until September 2010, there are already rumors that the soap is living on borrowed time. The non-traditional 18-month contract along with executive producer, Ken Corday, agreeing to make onscreen changes, including adjustments to the cast list, could herald the end of Days as the long-time fans’ wishes continue to be ignored.
Days was the top ranking soap for years, placing first or second in the overall standings until March 2007. With the disappearance of John Black (Drake Hogestyn), the attempted forced pairing of a rapist and victim, who's the daddy and the Colleen/Santo storylines offended many of the viewers. Their dissatisfaction was dramatically reflected in the ratings. While Days came into 2008 with a high of 2.7 and a low of 2.5, by April, the highest ranking was 2.1 with a low of 1.9.
Dena Higley officially joining the Days staff as the head writer in March 2008; however, it was reported that she was one of the scab writers who ghost wrote Days during the strike. Although she inherited rankings that ranged from 2.0 to 2.4, her writing style has only served hasten the drop in the rankings. Even though she was able to bring back both John Black and Stefano, her propensity to focus on romantic triangles and to only write for the characters or couples she likes gained her no favor with the viewers.
August 6, 2007 Corday Productions announced the Emmy award winning producer, Ed Scott, would be joining the Day of Our Lives team as co-executive producer. Ken Corday was quoted as saying, "Ed comes with more than 20 years experience with The Young and the Restless and brings a new, vibrant, creative energy and strength to this all-important position of leadership,"
Instead of working together to improve Days, Higley and Scott chose to ignore both the shows history and the fans favorite characters.. The Colleen/Santo story, although it had the potential of being a wonderfully romantic and suspenseful tale in its own right, was instead turned into a way of forcing the pairing of EJ and Sami down the viewers' throats. The DiMera Vendetta was not only another ploy to support Ejamie as the couple had been nicknamed, but it was also used to kill off Shawn Sr. and John Black. It also totally disregarded the show's history and characters' family backgrounds. The viewers expressed their displeasure as the ratings continued to drop.
In addition the veteran actors were pushed aside in favor of the younger generation; the campus rapist and the Sorority house was intended to attract younger viewers. Intention and reality were never on the same page. Instead of attracting younger viewers, the storyline drove away the loyal long-time fans. September, October and November registered the worse ratings of 2008 with September and October bottoming out at 1.8 while November did little better with 1.9. With the return of the vets, John Black as well as Tony and Anna DiMera, the ratings once again began to climb. January through April of 2008, Days gained .4, bringing it to a high of 2.4 and returning it to third place.
With the backstage conflicts between Scott and Higley spilling out not only on the set but out into rumor mill, the personality and professional conflicts between them came to a head when Higley reportedly quit, accusing Scott of rewriting her scripts and encouraging the actors to do the same. Corday convinced Higley to remain; Scott was fired. .
Gary Tomlin was chosen as Scott’s replacement. A soap opera veteran, Tomlin has worked as an actor, director, writer and producer. Again, Corday expressed his utmost confidence and faith in his new choice, promising that Tomlin‘s "...long successful history of being an actor's producer and a writer's producer to our cast and crew and I know the viewers will see the immediate results of this change for the better." However, months later that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
Except for a brief bump in the ratings that herald the return of Stefano, portrayed by Joseph Mascolo, the ratings remain flat and near the bottom of the list. Instead, leading the genre in ratings and awards, Days suddenly finds itself at the bottom with their highest rankings in 2008 equaling that of it’s lows in 2006. In the three months Tomlin has acted as the co-executive producer, Days’ ratings haven’t risen above a 2.0 and fourth place. From the two murder whodunits where no one cares who did or who died to the once again back burning vets in favor of new characters, the fans have had few kind words for either Higley or Tomlin.
Corday Productions seem to have difficulty learning from their past mistakes. With the soap on life support, Corday has chosen once again to shake up the cast by releasing popular actors, while adding younger talent. It has been recently rumored that Drake Hogestyn will be once again leaving the show along with Jay Kenneth Johnson. At the beginning of 2007 when Corday disregarded the fans wishes, Days fell from first to fourth (2.7 to 1.9) within four months; at this point, there is no place left to fall except off the air.
Leave a comment be entered to win one of my novels.
By
Theresa Chaze
Even though the ink isn’t even dry the new agreement, which renews Days of Our Lives until September 2010, there are already rumors that the soap is living on borrowed time. The non-traditional 18-month contract along with executive producer, Ken Corday, agreeing to make onscreen changes, including adjustments to the cast list, could herald the end of Days as the long-time fans’ wishes continue to be ignored.
Days was the top ranking soap for years, placing first or second in the overall standings until March 2007. With the disappearance of John Black (Drake Hogestyn), the attempted forced pairing of a rapist and victim, who's the daddy and the Colleen/Santo storylines offended many of the viewers. Their dissatisfaction was dramatically reflected in the ratings. While Days came into 2008 with a high of 2.7 and a low of 2.5, by April, the highest ranking was 2.1 with a low of 1.9.
Dena Higley officially joining the Days staff as the head writer in March 2008; however, it was reported that she was one of the scab writers who ghost wrote Days during the strike. Although she inherited rankings that ranged from 2.0 to 2.4, her writing style has only served hasten the drop in the rankings. Even though she was able to bring back both John Black and Stefano, her propensity to focus on romantic triangles and to only write for the characters or couples she likes gained her no favor with the viewers.
August 6, 2007 Corday Productions announced the Emmy award winning producer, Ed Scott, would be joining the Day of Our Lives team as co-executive producer. Ken Corday was quoted as saying, "Ed comes with more than 20 years experience with The Young and the Restless and brings a new, vibrant, creative energy and strength to this all-important position of leadership,"
Instead of working together to improve Days, Higley and Scott chose to ignore both the shows history and the fans favorite characters.. The Colleen/Santo story, although it had the potential of being a wonderfully romantic and suspenseful tale in its own right, was instead turned into a way of forcing the pairing of EJ and Sami down the viewers' throats. The DiMera Vendetta was not only another ploy to support Ejamie as the couple had been nicknamed, but it was also used to kill off Shawn Sr. and John Black. It also totally disregarded the show's history and characters' family backgrounds. The viewers expressed their displeasure as the ratings continued to drop.
In addition the veteran actors were pushed aside in favor of the younger generation; the campus rapist and the Sorority house was intended to attract younger viewers. Intention and reality were never on the same page. Instead of attracting younger viewers, the storyline drove away the loyal long-time fans. September, October and November registered the worse ratings of 2008 with September and October bottoming out at 1.8 while November did little better with 1.9. With the return of the vets, John Black as well as Tony and Anna DiMera, the ratings once again began to climb. January through April of 2008, Days gained .4, bringing it to a high of 2.4 and returning it to third place.
With the backstage conflicts between Scott and Higley spilling out not only on the set but out into rumor mill, the personality and professional conflicts between them came to a head when Higley reportedly quit, accusing Scott of rewriting her scripts and encouraging the actors to do the same. Corday convinced Higley to remain; Scott was fired. .
Gary Tomlin was chosen as Scott’s replacement. A soap opera veteran, Tomlin has worked as an actor, director, writer and producer. Again, Corday expressed his utmost confidence and faith in his new choice, promising that Tomlin‘s "...long successful history of being an actor's producer and a writer's producer to our cast and crew and I know the viewers will see the immediate results of this change for the better." However, months later that promise has yet to be fulfilled.
Except for a brief bump in the ratings that herald the return of Stefano, portrayed by Joseph Mascolo, the ratings remain flat and near the bottom of the list. Instead, leading the genre in ratings and awards, Days suddenly finds itself at the bottom with their highest rankings in 2008 equaling that of it’s lows in 2006. In the three months Tomlin has acted as the co-executive producer, Days’ ratings haven’t risen above a 2.0 and fourth place. From the two murder whodunits where no one cares who did or who died to the once again back burning vets in favor of new characters, the fans have had few kind words for either Higley or Tomlin.
Corday Productions seem to have difficulty learning from their past mistakes. With the soap on life support, Corday has chosen once again to shake up the cast by releasing popular actors, while adding younger talent. It has been recently rumored that Drake Hogestyn will be once again leaving the show along with Jay Kenneth Johnson. At the beginning of 2007 when Corday disregarded the fans wishes, Days fell from first to fourth (2.7 to 1.9) within four months; at this point, there is no place left to fall except off the air.
Leave a comment be entered to win one of my novels.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Days of Our Lives:Saving Days
With the firing of Deidre and Drake with only more to come for budgetary concerns, Ken Corday is announcing the death of Days of Our Lives. It is not the actors or crew who have brought Days to the brink of cancellation, but the bad writing, the corruption of beloved characters and the endless triangles. The fans want Days to go back to the basics of romance, suspense, drama and humor. Corday Productions produced a show few people wanted to watch and couldn’t understand why the ratings tanked.
If money is Corday’s main concern, it is the perfect way to get his attention. These are sweeps weeks. Ratings are calculated and recorded not only daily but hourly,. It’s this rapid return that can be turned to the fans’ favor. For the rest of the week, boycott Days. The storylines suck anyway. If there is a rapid, sudden drop in ratings Corday will be held accountable.
If money is Corday’s main concern, it is the perfect way to get his attention. These are sweeps weeks. Ratings are calculated and recorded not only daily but hourly,. It’s this rapid return that can be turned to the fans’ favor. For the rest of the week, boycott Days. The storylines suck anyway. If there is a rapid, sudden drop in ratings Corday will be held accountable.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Dedrie Hall and Drake Hogestyn Fired: Stand Up and Speak Out
One thing I've been always good as is finding things. You give me a little time and access to a phone or a computer--and there isn't anything that exists that I can't eventually find.
This is the way it lays out.
Jeffrey Zucker is head of NBC
the corporate phone number is 212-669-4444. They won't put you through, but if enough people call eventually they will take notice.
There are two fax numbers: 212-669-4426 and 212-669-5705
NBC is owned by GE who is run by Jeffrey Immelt
I haven't been able to find yet the corporate phone numbers but his house address is 705 W. Rd New Canaan Ct 06840
Sony Pictures owns part of Days
Michael Lynton is had of Sony Pictures
310-244-5722
Corday Productions
Production phone number 818-295-2820
Calling your local station will also do a little good. They do have connects at corporate.
I found three addresses for Ken Corday
1035 Santa Monica Blvd
130 LA CA 90025
10343 Valley Springs
Toluca Lake, CA 91602-2933
285 Ocean Park Blvd 300
Santa Monica CA 90405
This is the way it lays out.
Jeffrey Zucker is head of NBC
the corporate phone number is 212-669-4444. They won't put you through, but if enough people call eventually they will take notice.
There are two fax numbers: 212-669-4426 and 212-669-5705
NBC is owned by GE who is run by Jeffrey Immelt
I haven't been able to find yet the corporate phone numbers but his house address is 705 W. Rd New Canaan Ct 06840
Sony Pictures owns part of Days
Michael Lynton is had of Sony Pictures
310-244-5722
Corday Productions
Production phone number 818-295-2820
Calling your local station will also do a little good. They do have connects at corporate.
I found three addresses for Ken Corday
1035 Santa Monica Blvd
130 LA CA 90025
10343 Valley Springs
Toluca Lake, CA 91602-2933
285 Ocean Park Blvd 300
Santa Monica CA 90405
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