End of an Era: ABC Kills Two Long-Running Soaps
By: ABC said on Thursday that it's canceling "All my Children" and "One Life to Live," two television shows that have been on air for decades and which largely defined the once-dominant soap opera genre.
The media company, a unit of Walt Disney, is replacing the soaps with two "Lifestyle" programs, called "The Chew," which will focus on food, and "The Revolution," which will focus on health and lifestyle.
"All My Children" premiered on January 5, 1970, and will end in September. "One Life to Live" premiered on July 15, 1968 and will have its final show in January.
The decision to replace the shows with lifestyle shows follows the success of "The View."
ABC said it's done "extensive research into what today's daytime viewers want and the changing viewing patterns of the audience."
ABC isn't touching its soap, "General Hospital," which is still the second-most popular show in daytime.
