In a breach of contract and fraud complaint filed this morning, Corday Productions, the Producers of Days of our Lives, is seeking 20 million dollars in damages from its producing partner, Sony Pictures Television, as well as its Columbia Pictures and Screen Gems divisions, and to significantly take back control of the show.
In the 33-page court filed document this morning, Deadline.com noted some of the key points contained within. Corday Productions is alleging that Sony has treated the show unfairly skewed in favor of its Sony-owned daytime drama series, The Young and the Restless. The complaint indicates that, “While the domestic ratings for Days of Our Lives have remained largely constant, Sony’s distribution receipts have decreased by over 50%. This dramatic decline is directly attributable to a decision at the highest levels of Sony management to eliminate any competition to its own wholly-owned series The Young and The Restless also distributed by Sony.”
Sony Pictures Television distributes Days of our Lives in overseas territories, and in ancillary markets such as digital streaming. The DAYS suit alleges that Sony has failed to sell the show in key territories including: Great Britain, France, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Canada, France, Zambia, and South Africa.”
In the lawsuit, the producers also claim that Sony has stiffed them by forcing the production company, Corday Productions, to absorb budgetary deficits . The filing also claims that Sony is “imposing solely on Corday the burden of absorbing the multi-million dollar annual operating deficits due to an inadequate NBC license fee and mandating an inefficient, costly production schedule.”
The complaint filed Monday in Los Angeles Superior Court, also alleges that Sony has provided Corday with inaccurate accounting and has failed to pay millions of dollars in profits.
“sonniorsolita”…I just wanted to say how much I love your screen-name & how much I miss my all-time favorite show, GUIDING LIGHT.
–LujackLvr
Jimmy
5 years ago
What I think is that the last time there was a lawsuit filed against a daytime soap, it was a disaster. Does Prospect Park ring a bell? Hopefully DAYS doesn’t face the same fate as the AMC & OLTL revivals did because of this. Especially since it was just renewed for another year.
And who is writing Days right now? The guy who killed OLTL (and tried to kill General Hospital after that)
Damien
5 years ago
Ive been finding it very suspicious as of late that a show of days magnitude could operate on such a obvious shoestring budget. ..i mean most if not all scenes for example take place in 4-5 sets at any given time. The reused office set with the window in the corner is the most glaring. Pretty sad theres a lack of investment from the top. The acting and writing quality is firing on all cylinders but the show still looks budget.
I don’t believe the office is used nearly as much as the stone garden place that they come in one side and leave the other way.
4ever DAYS
5 years ago
When I was a youngster, I remember watching a Feed the Children program about starvation in Africa. One segment had a new mother of twins. She had to starve one baby in order to feed the other baby enough food to survive.
Sony is starving DAYS to feed Y&R.
It’s important to realize the soaps can’t survive on US viewership alone. They need overseas viewership, too.
Sony owns more of Y&R than DAYS. Sony distributes DAYS and Y&R to other countries for a percentage. Sony is able to keep most of the Y&R overseas money, but has to split the DAYS overseas money with Ken Corday, owner of DAYS.
Sony is squashing DAYS’ chances of making money (little of which goes to Sony) in order to distribute Y&R (and receive most of the money).
At the very least, DAYS and Sony should part ways, so DAYS can try to feed itself instead of allowing Sony to slowly starve DAYS to death.
The conflict of interest is too big to ignore and should be just cause to end the contract between DAYS and Sony.
SHUCKS ; this give me lots of pause for concern… along with that “no understanding” of how much SONY holds over Corday Production. AND what’s in it for NBC to air the show ? how much of commercial airtime is divided .
argh ! are we upsetting the apple cart as it were ?
is this the case of don’t bite the hand that feeds ?
WHICH , along w/James R. post below : is my first thought… “oh no, we could be cancelled”
as I’ve long posted… BUILD BUILD BUILD (like CBS ) around your serial… make that daytime block attract viewership AND higher commercial revenue
I can feel the dread rising …
I can only hope that TPTB just leave well enough alone… and surmise that , tho not a profit margin it once was.. is still a mainstay @NBC daytime arena.. because without a serial in its lineup… will only spiral that much quicker.
okay .. whatever… HELP ?!?!
keeping the faith…
I can only imagine that @DAYS is a part of a whole legion of entertainment, and is merely another asset on their balance sheet… and that if @SONY was truly going under AND had to trim the budget that much… how much back and forth happens each year when it’s renew time?
hi, again; was needing to vent … scared for my show, PLUS
having read the full article: I am so hoping ??? @DAYS can find another distributor
TAKEN from article : “…While the domestic ratings for Days of Our Lives have remained largely constant, Sony’s distribution receipts have decreased by over 50%,” the 33-page complaint asserts as it seeks of damages of over $20 million and significantly taking back control of the show.”
for me the OPERATIVE word: “…and significantly taking back control of the show”
I am so hoping this
DAYS would be an asset for any corporate balance sheet to offer along with any and all other package deals.
I hesitate to wonder just what the bottom lines are. seeing as how in our lifetime we had upwards of 15 shows at one time or another… AND looking for another conglomerate… COME ON SONY !!! WHAT GIVES ? AND/OR where is OUR proctor and gamble… General electric …
daytime is continually retooled with… looking at all the talk shows and cooking shows… @DAYS has shown an incredible , for DAYS , an indelible respectable increase in viewership… absolute !
Impeccable comment, 4ever!! And, your analogy made me do a double-take– Love, love, love the line, “Sony is starving DAYS to feed Y&R.”— eye-opener!!❤️
Not sure how this will turn out but hopefully Days isn’t hurt in some way in the end…it is now the only soap i faithfully watch…i plan to stop watching GH once the Ryan story ends!!!
Days is the only soap I watch now also Jimh. None of the other soaps interest me, so if Days is done I’m done with daytime soaps. And that’s very sad. I pray it doesn’t come to that!
Steve
5 years ago
Isn’t the only soap with any overseas distribution to speak of B&B? And that has a lot to do with its 30 minute runtime.
Is Corday saying it’s Sony’s mandate to film 6 months in advance?
It must be on Sony, there’s an article on Daytime Confidential from two years ago that says NBC demands that Days is filmed more recent and not months in advance.
Mary SFIM
5 years ago
Well if Sony is taking profits from Days and investing them into Y&R they have a right to peeved– but whether a big corp like Sony cares– not likely. My feeling is if Corday wins, Days will lose, if Sony wins, Days will lose. When P&G went out of the soap production business it left a big gap– if Sony pulls out its partnership with the Cordays- I don’t know if there will be another large company willing to take up the mantle of soap production, when the genre and daytime television is it’s dying days. My feeling, NBC won’t step in as producer– so this makes me nervous.
I’ve been riding the @DAYS wave of resurge AND top tier
this has put the angst back in… “OUR” show is still being celebrated !
I do know that I’ve read in SOD… that @DAYS was pulled from parts of Canada AND France… not certain of all the specific… outside of low viewership.
taken from article: “…”In the annals of Hollywood television, it is difficult to identify a distributor more guilty of blatant conflict of interest, deceit, perfidy, and abuse of market power. The only effective remedies are massive compensatory and punitive damages and immediate termination Sony’s exclusive, perpetual distribution agreement,” says Corday Productions. ”
LAST SENTENCE : “…and immediate termination Sony’s exclusive, perpetual distribution agreement,” says Corday Productions ”
it seems Corday Productions isn’t willing to work with SONY ? AND now what? that Ken Corday can in fact find another “distributor”
it occurred to me that Ken Corday would likely cash in on this “right” if he won this legalese… AND just venture in to his online internet ventures. thereby , that simply, letting go all that his parents have done for this genre.
SALUTE to September 2020 AND BEYOND
Adam
5 years ago
Great news, I hope Corday and DOOL win because the show deserves better than this. To starve Days to feed Y&R….NO! DOOL’s cast and crew have been doing really outstanding work, especially the past year and a half. And with the ratings up? They definitely deserve more money for better and more sets as well as cast and crew. I really pray that they win this. Sony deserves this for what they’ve done having Days to axe a lot of actors due to budget, same with Y&R as we’ve seen with the actors who played Ashley and Hilllary.
I MISS Valerie w/Abe… at the very least , lets see more of Sheila
I am going to miss big time : Chloe, this was thee opportune time to get her back involved with Brady… she was more relatable , little to no fuss and or muss… yet all the passion , like Kristen, Theresa, Nicole. Chloe IS FIRE. By the way… who didn’t see the electricity AND spark with Stefan… when he was in Dougs Place AND he was teasing and tantalizing Chloe… HOT ME OUT
same goes for my little spotlight, Belle daughter, granddaughter to John and Marlena.. altho you would never know the latter , that much. Olivia Rose Keegan’ Claire !!!! she’s a spitfire. you know.. they couldn’t tango with the same threesome… since Ben returned for Ciera… What was left for Tripp ? let alone, for Claire… she’s been emmy nominated from the start.. she’s worthy.
FINER POINT :
I am so loving the easy banter with flair flash flummoxed… just do it already !!! Jack and Eve. hit it… the sheets.. forget about these plot points that he’s about to put out… AND he has this flash memory of being faithful to another women !!!!! argh. how staid. it’s been a good time watching Jack get in and around Salem… I like the easy slow transition they’re taking with JJ and Abs.
Here is an explanation as to what this is all about: Corday is fed up with Sony over the above mentioned issues. Corday wishes to terminate it’s current contract with Sony since it has secured a new distribution partner with better terms as a replacement. However, due to the current terms of the contract (perpetual, does not expire) with Sony, Corday is taking legal action which is required in order to terminate the contract. NBC is not involved in this in anyway. Corday packages and produces the content then Sony distributes it to NBC domestically and also to foreign markets. The license fees paid by NBC are used to cover the costs of production and the profit is made from lic. fees generated from selling the content abroad.
I want to add a few more things…The contract with Sony actually dates back to in 1965 when perpetual contracts were commonplace. They are virtually nonexistant today. Nowadays contracts are terminally based with an option for renewal which is better for all parties involved. When this contract began no one could conceive a TV show being in production for 55 years so it wasn’t a big deal to enter a perpetual contract as long as it favored both parties. Also, a lot has changed in 55 years…Screen Gems was acquired by Columbia who was later acquired by Sony. Sony owns Y&R unlike Days which Corday owns. Sony doesn’t have to split the profits from Y&R like they do with Days so it makes more sense to them to push Y&R and make 100 percent of revenues vs. 50 percent they make from Days. When Sony acquired Y&R Corday should have sued the next day because it immediately put Days at a disadvantage.
“Thank You” for the “laymens” edition w/step by. appreciate it
as long as the distributor is in fact
whew
catch
ChandlerFan
5 years ago
What a shame.
Over the past year or two, I’ve been grateful that it’s become legally possible to enjoy watching current episodes (with commercials) in high-definition via an Internet website.
It would be wonderful if they could go back and similarly make all episodes from the past 10 years or so ALSO available in the same high-definition format, even if it required paying a fee. Of course, such flexibility seems impossible, given the contractual handcuffs the producers seem to have placed themselves under.
Unfortunately Days didn’t start airing in high definition until November 8, 2010 and that’s as far back true HD is possible. They could however stretch it to fit and digitally enhance the content but there’s a cost associated with that and it would be difficult to convince TPTB that the profitability would exist.
Melody Thomas Scott and Edward J. Scott to Receive Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Honors
May 6, 2024
The Young and the Restless iconic Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) and her husband, Emmy-winning producer, Edward J. Scott have been named by the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences as Lifetime Achievement Honorees at the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Melody and Ed will be presented with the award on June 7th during the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (8 PM ET/delayed PT) broadcast live on CBS and streaming live and on-demand on Paramount+*.
In a statement Melody and Ed expressed, “We are honored and humbled to receive this recognition from NATAS. Throughout our decades-long careers in front of and behind the cameras, we have had the opportunity to work not only with each other, but also with an incredibly talented pool of people who excel in their crafts and are passionate about the art we create in daytime television. We are grateful to have worked side by side with them and to be included with such esteemed recipients who have made their mark in our industry. We look forward to spending another wonderful evening celebrating the daytime community!“
Adam Sharp, President and CEO, NATAS added,“We’ve long wanted to honor the legendary daytime duo of Melody Thomas Scott and her husband Edward J. Scott. With a combined 93 years of contributions to our community, they are true institutions in the world of Daytime television.”
In addition to Melody and Ed receiving their Lifetime Achievement honors, public television host and cookbook author Lidia Bastianich will also be honored.
Photo NATAS
Lidia Bastianich said, “It is a tremendous honor to be recognized and receive the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award for having shared my passion for food with TV audiences for over 25 years. Cooking together and sharing food remain a common denominator of all cultures. Food nurtures, it connects diverse people, and it brings families, friends, and strangers together. There is no better place to be on this earth, especially in these trying times, than sharing food at a table with others. That simple idea has been the basis of my life’s work. Hence, as I say in my shows, “Tutti a Tavola a Mangiare!” Mille Grazie to NATAS for this honor.”
While Adam Sharp shared, “Lidia Bastianich’s astounding success combines her love of cooking while simultaneously entertaining millions each day. It is an honor for us to say ‘grazie’ for the many fine meals borne from her TV kitchen and cookbook pages.”
Melody Thomas Scott recently celebrated 45 years in the role of Nikki Newman, having joined the show in February 1979. Scott’s character has matured from the girl from the wrong side of the tracks to the serial’s luminous and resourceful leading lady. After garnering a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1999, she went on to win in the same category for the Soap Opera Digest Award in 2001 and received four Soap Opera Update Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress (1992, 1993, 1995 and 1996). Scott began her career at age three. She studied singing, tap dancing, ballet and jazz and became one of the world-famous “Meglin Kiddies,” performing in USO shows as she started booking national commercials and guest spots on such series as “Wagon Train,” “My Three Sons,” “Ironside” and a recurring role on “The Waltons.” Scott made her motion picture debut at age eight when she was cast by Alfred Hitchcock as the young Tippi Hedren in the thriller “Marnie.” She has co-starred with legendary actors Clint Eastwood, Geraldine Page, John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Scott has worked on stage and in numerous television shows and was the subject of Lifetime Television’s “Intimate Portrait.” As a lifelong fan of “I Love Lucy,” Scott served as a founding member of the Board of Directors for the Lucille Ball-Desi Arnaz Center in Jamestown, N.Y., which is committed to preserving the legacy of the great comedienne. In 2020,
Scott released her memoir, “Always Young and Restless.” Married since 1985 to Edward J. Scott, the couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
Photo: JPI
Edward J. Scott is a six-time Daytime Emmy Award-winning producer who has played a pivotal role in the historic development of the soap opera genre for nearly five decades. Scott is currently supervising producer for The Bold and the Beautiful, the #2-rated daytime drama in the U.S. and the most-watched daily drama in the world, which is nominated for 12 Daytime Emmy Awards this year. Scott began his association with The Bell Family and Bell-Phillip Television Productions when he joined “The Young and The Restless” as an associate producer in 1976. He quickly moved up the ranks and served as the show’s executive producer for decades.
Scott’s legendary 48-year producing partnership and creative collaboration with “The Young and The Restless” and “The Bold and the Beautiful” creators, the late William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, and their son, Bradley P. Bell, has helped create the two most popular daily American television series. Today, both daytime dramas are syndicated internationally. Before joining “B&B” Scott was executive producer for the NBC daytime drama “Days of Our Lives.” Born and raised in Santa Monica, California, Scott earned a B.A from California State University at Northridge with a double major of anthropology and broadcasting journalism. He has been married since 1985 to actress and author Melody Thomas Scott. The couple have three daughters and five grandchildren.
So, excited to hear Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott and longtime daytime soap opera producer, Edward J. Scott are receiving this year’s Lifetime Achievement Honors at this years 51st Annual Daytime Emmys? Comment below.
‘Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit For Stand Up To Cancer’ Live Virtual Event Announced; Featuring Soap Opera Notables and Moving Tributes
May 2, 2024
Stand Up to Cancer in collaboration with Alan Locher and Michael Fairman, will come together for a a three-hour livestream benefit, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.
Several stars from from daytime drama television past and present are scheduled to participate for an evening of stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer, and moving tributes to beloved daytime favorites who lost their battle plus musical performances.
Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story, streams live on Thursday, May 16, from 8 to 11 p.m. ET/5 to 8 pm PT simultaneously on StandUpToCancer.org and YouTube channels The Locher Room and Michael Fairman Channel.
Photos: CBS and JPI
Tune-in for cancer survivorship stories with General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his cancer journey as well his memories of beloved The Young and the Restless co-star Meg Bennett, who passed from cancer April 11; and more.
Moving tributes to soap stars who’ve lost their cancer battles, including: Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden, a tribute to Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, as shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett, two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding LightOne Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keife, the iconic Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez and Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton(General Hospital)Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).
Photo: MEastonFacebook
Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the Restless; Erika Slezak from One Life to Live; Tina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.
Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (*subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live); Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives); The Day Players, Featuring Days of OurLives castmates Carson Boatman, Brandon Barash, Wally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee); Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live); Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful); Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives); Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives); LesliKay (The Bold and the Beautiful); Eden McCoy (General Hospital); Kin Shriner (GeneralHospital); Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).
Courtesy/LaceyGorden
“Daytime television invites viewers into the private lives of characters, often bringing important issues like cancer screenings into living rooms and around water coolers. Soaps debuted the first cancer storyline in 1962 – years before the topic was discussed in the mainstream, and it left an indelible impact: a whole generation of women who scheduled a potentially life-saving Pap smear for the first time,” said Daytime Stands Up host Alan Locher. “For so many viewers, this brought the issue front and center,” added co-host Michael Fairman. “Today, it’s become almost impossible to avoid; but there is hope with cancer research, thanks to organizations like Stand Up To Cancer.”
SU2C Co-Founder Sue Schwartz, SU2C President and CEO Julian Adams, Ph.D., and SU2C Health Equity Committee Member Elizabeth Jaffee, M.D., will also participate to speak to the importance of early detection, exciting scientific breakthroughs, and the ongoing work yet to be done to make screenings and treatment equitable for all.
“This year, an estimated 2 million people in the U.S. will be diagnosed with cancer, presenting an opportunity for the public to stand with us and rise to the occasion,” said Adams. “We’re thankful to Alan Locher, Michael Fairman and our friends from the daytime television community, who will raise critical funding to honor those we’ve lost – and to propel new scientific breakthroughs for current and future patients. Everyone has a story, and we’re grateful to all of you for sharing yours.”
For over 15 years, SU2C has leveraged its relationship with the entertainment community – which includes more than 1,100 celebrity ambassadors – to generate public donations, increase awareness and fund cutting-edge cancer research. SU2C research has contributed to the development of more than 10 scientific breakthroughs that have significantly impacted the field and provided new treatment options for breast, colorectal, lung, melanoma, pancreatic, pediatric and prostate cancers.
Photo: SUTC
In support of the event, SU2C will also be launching a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for fans to bid on items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of Young and Restless and signed merchandise from the Bold and Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, on Stand Up To Cancer’s website.
Are you looking forward to this very special one-night only virtual event to help benefit cancer research and shed light on the stories, performances and lives of the people we love and have loved in daytime TV? Comment below.
Haley Pullos Receives 90-Day Jail Sentence Following DUI Charge And Wrong-Way Car Crash
April 29, 2024
Former General Hospital actress, Haley Pullos (ex-Molly Lansing-Davis) is going to be doing time in jail, exactly one-year after her arrest from a hit and run wrong-way car collision.
The crash resulted in bodily harm and damages to the other driver, and now Pullos who pleaded “no contest” to the charges and will serve 90 days in jail. She was taken in custody on Monday, April 29th, after the ruling.
According to Haley’s attorney, Mark Daniel Melnick, the 25-year-old actress struck a plea deal and after her three months in jail will be sentenced on July 29th. As part of that sentencing, she must serve five years probation, 200 hours of community service and pay $8,260 in restitution to Courteney Wilder, the other driver in the crash and her driver’s license is revoked for a year.
Courtesy/ABC
According to TMZ, the plea deal for Pullos has the “no contest” to one DUI, while the judge dropped the felony DUI causing bodily injury and misdemeanor hit and run charges.
Melnick said in a statement to PEOPLE, “Haley is very grateful to the court for a minimum sentence and for recognizing her remorse and the strides she has made in her sobriety.”
Pullos had played the daughter of Alexis Davis (played by Nancy Lee Grahn) on the ABC soap opera since 2009, but after her car crash and DUI she was replaced by three different actresses until the show finally settled on the current Molly, Kristen Vaganos.
Photo: Pasadena PD
Back in April 29 of 2023, and at the scene of the crash, the police found edibles and mini-bottles of tequila in Pullos’ vehicle and that she was intoxicated. As it turned out, this was to be the second hit and run in the evening for Pullos who had an earlier collision with another car.
The courts decision follows a year-long legal battle with Haley’s pleas changing throughout it, ranging from “not guilty” to “no contest”. She sought treatment for her drinking at a rehab following the crash.
Nancy Lee Grahn, who portrayed Pullos’ on-screen mom took to X on Monday night, April 29th and shared on the sentence and the specific jail, Haley will be serving time: “As Haley’s TV mom I can tell some truths about her as I’ve loved her since she was little girl. She made a HUGE mistake, knows it, owns it & has spent the last yr doing EVERYTHING imaginable to take responsibility 4 it. It’s not that I oppose jail. It’s that I oppose this jail.” The jail in question by Grahn is the L.A. county jail.
So, what do you think about Haley Pullos serving a 90-days jail sentence, and the other rulings that will be part of her sentencing? Comment below.
