What Happens Next? The Answers to the Questions Surrounding ABC and Prospect Park

http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/news/item/5024-what-happens-next-the-answers-to-the-questions-surrounding-abc-and-prospect-park

Excerpts below:

(SoapOperaNetwork.com) -- As we reported yesterday, we likely have to thank our federal government for providing the funding necessary for Prospect Park to pick up "All My Children" and "One Life to Live," which were both canceled by ABC on Thursday, April 14. The announcement that ABC would be licensing the two iconic soaps to Prospect Park was made on Thursday, July 7, but according to sources the financial deal actually came together back in May, just in time for what is said to be the deadline period for the government to hand out grant money to companies looking to invest in New Media.  

What we know about this deal is that upon their completion on ABC, "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" will be migrated to an as-yet-to-be-named Hulu-esque internet video service that would allow both daily soap operas to continue their storytelling for millions of online users and "be delivered with the same quality and in the same format and length," as fans have come to expect for more than forty years, according to the joint press release issued from Disney/ABC and Prospect Park. Translation: One hour per day, five days a week, 52 weeks a year will remain within the realm of reality. What wasn't clear at the time was after both soaps complete their runs on ABC, they will also conclude on SOAPnet.

Soap Opera Network has confirmed with the same representative that the programming in question will not include "All My Children" or "One Life to Live." In fact, after yesterday's announcement was released, the Disney/ABC Television Group made it clear that they are no longer in charge of the day-to-day operations of either of your favorite daytime soaps once their runs are completed on ABC and SOAPnet. If you want to know what's going to happen next on "All My Children" after it ends on Friday, September 23, don't call, write or email Brian Frons, President, Daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group. He is not in charge of that show and he will not be in charge of "One Life to Live" either after the series airs its final broadcast on Friday, January 20, 2012.

Now that "One Life" is continuing with a second one under Prospect Park, fans around the world are wondering how does this affect the storylines, how does this affect the cast, the crews, the writers and even the producers? Digging a little further, with last month's announcement that Ron Carlivati, who currently serves as "One Life to Live's" head writer, would be transitioning to "General Hospital" as a script writer later this year when the show completes its run on ABC, it really begs the question of what happens next? Not only for that soap, but for "All My Children" as well. "It's too early to know," said a ABC insider requesting anonymity. "The details are too fresh on everyone's minds for it to be determined who will be running these shows, or particularly writing them, after they finish their ABC runs."

But back to Carlivati. He along with "One Life" Executive Producer Frank Valentini signed new deals with ABC back in September of 2010. The terms of the agreements were not disclosed, but it was understood to last two years for Valentini and three years for Carlivati, so does that mean the two will remain with "One Life" under the guidance of Prospect Park? Or has ABC opted to keep the dynamic duo under its charge leaving new blood to step in and head write and produce the show with the "same quality and in the same format and length" as before? As our insider said before "It's too early to know." There is no word on what this development means for "All My Children" Executive Producer Julie Hanan Carruthers or Head WriterLorraine Broderick.

However, one of the big questions left unanswered are where will the shows be produced? "All My Children" moved its production to the Andrita studios in Los Angeles, CA back in January of 2010 in a multi-year licensing deal. Will the show remain in that studio? It looks like it will as the cost factor would be too great for Prospect to move the series once more. However, things look a little less certain for "One Life to Live," which took over "AMC's" New York studio space housed in the ABC Television Center. With ABC no longer producing the series it is likely the series will be moved to another facility or moved to the West Coast right along with "AMC" in order for Prospect Park to better manage the daily operations of the drama series.

That last paragraph could be a problem for Roger fans, if he does not want to move out West, he may not accept any deal.  Just an FYI for you all.