All My Children
BEACON HILL Goes With Subscription Model For First Season!
Photo Credit: Lesley Bohm
Circle March 5th on your soap viewing calendars! That is the premiere date of the new soap opera set against a political backdrop, Beacon Hill from Crystal Chappell and her Open Book Productions shingle and Bella Books and Bella Productions, Linda and Jessica Hill!
For the shows inaugural season, the series can be viewed via subscription model similar to that of Crystal Chappell’s Venice the Series. There will be 12 episodes in season one available for $9.99!
Linda and Jessica Hill made the decision, for their first foray into web series and the soap genre, to go with the subscription model. According to the official Beacon Hill press release: “The choices were to offer sponsorships and run advertising or to go with the subscription route. Linda and Jessica decided to go with an advertising-free subscription plan for at least the first year. Their hope is to establish the show and attract sponsorship going forward. “We’re in this for the long haul and want to continue to produce Beacon Hill and other quality shows,” the women said. The series will premiere online at BeaconHillTheSeries.com.
The series focuses on the two female leads Sara Preston (Alicia Minshew) and Katherine Wesley (Sarah Brown) and Beacon Hill’s stellar cast and crew includes notable actors from various daytime dramas under the direction of Albert Alarr of Days of Our Lives and is executive produced by Crystal Chappell, and Ricky Paull Goldin (Guiding Light, All My Children, B&B and Another World soap fame) along with supervising producer Hillary Bailey Smith of One Life to Live!
So, what do you think of the decision of making the episodes available for a fee of $9.99 for fans who want to view the new series? Are you on board with it to see some of the best actors in the genre in a brand new web series? Let us know!
All My Children
8 Years To The Day Of All My Children & One Life to Live Being Canceled; Still Considered By Many Worst Move For Daytime
It’s hard to believe that 8 years ago today on April 14th, 2011, the soap world, its fans, and the cast members, learned of the heartbreaking news that ABC, in one swift move, decimated its daytime line-up when they announced the cancellations of long running series, All My Children (which would end at its 41st year), and One Life to Live (which would ends its run in its 43rd year).
At the time, ABC announced it would move to more lifestyle/entertainment series to replace these dramas. In its place came The Chew and The Revolution, neither show is still on the air today. Executives at that time pointed to research saying that times are changing and that their decision was “guided by extensive research into what today’s daytime viewers want,” and blame, in part, “the changing viewing patterns of the audience” for the axing of AMC and OLTL
Then ABC Daytime President, Brian Frons had joked to Deadline about the big announcement that he: “Pre-entered the witness protection program prior to today’s events.” He added that “The demise of the two venerable soaps was actually a year in the making. A year ago, we started to look at our projections where the ratings for the soaps would go. When those projections came in pretty discouraging, the network began to aggressively develop replacement shows, 15 of them. Four of the 15 were picked up to pilot: The Chew and The Revolution and two others, a talk show and a dating show. Originally, the idea was to cancel only one daytime drama. The way the ratings developed and the pilots turned out, the ratings developed negatively and pilots developed positively, so we decided to make a bigger shift.” Of note is that when it went off the air, One Life to Live was in third place among its competitors in the ratings.
The press release that came with the cancellations stated: “To honor the core, passionate audience and their rich history both shows will conclude in a manner that respects their legacies and the longstanding hopes of many of their viewers.”
Following the cancellations daytime reeled. The mainstream was sure it meant the endings of the soaps, period. However, four shows illustrated that is not true at all. For Days of our Lives, General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless all remain, and still whether they are up or down in their numbers/ratings, they remain relevant and important to the enduring daytime viewing audience.
Sadly, as with any shows, the end of ABC’s AMC and OLTL meant loss of jobs for so many working in front of the camera and behind the scenes. One Life was the last soap opera in production in New York at the time. AMC was already being shot in LA to cut costs to save it.
Still in 2019, if you venture on to social media, especially Twitter, you see fans constantly missing its stars and the towns of Llanview and Pine Valley, wanting this wrong rectified. Although Prospect Park tried to revive the show with their online versions, eventually after legal battles that went on for a few years, ABC now retains the right to these properties,
The good news is that many favorites from AMC and OLTL have found success and been hired on other soap operas, bringing their followings with them, whether it be on-screen, or in the writing, producing, directing or crew departments.
So, do you think the loss of AMC and OLTL consolidated daytime and made the remaining shows stronger so they would not be touched or canceled? Do you think ABC should try to mount a resurrected AMC and OLTL or an amalgamation of the two? Do you remember where you were when you learned the two soaps were cancelled? Was this the worst misstep of all-time for daytime? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.
All My Children
George R. R. Martin’s “Leak” Of New Hulu Series WILD CARDS Featuring Eden Riegel, Thorsten Kaye. and Greg Rikkart
April Fool’s Day started off with a bang today when Eden Riegel (Ex-Bianca, AMC) posted a photo of herself with Thorsten Kaye (Ridge, B&B) and Greg Rikaart (Ex-Leo, DAYS) in a very intriguing image. See above pic! As it turns out, it’s said to be from behind the scenes from some leaked footage of the upcoming Hulu series, Wild Cards.
The premise of Wild Cards is based on the sci-fi anthology series edited by George R. R, Martin, best known for writing the “Song of Ice and Fire” novels, on which HBO’s Game of Thrones is based. Riegel’s husband, Andrew Miller is the showrunner attached to the upcoming series.
On Martin’s website he teases the set-up of the “leaked” video clip: “This was not supposed to go public.. Everybody (Well, everybody that has been paying attention knows that we are developing two Wild Cards as a series for Hulu Andrew Miller has taken the reins as showrunner, a writing staff has been hired, and they have been hard at work for months. What was NOT supposed to be known is how far they’ve come. Not only have some scripts been finished, but the first show has gone into production and has been shooting. That was supposed to be a deep dark secret, however. We wanted to surprise the world. It’s hard to keep secrets in Hollyweird, however. And now it appears that some of the rough footage has been leaked by person or persons unknown”
Meanwhile, Riegel sent out a series of tweets: “Hooo boy…cat’s out of the bag! Fans, please don’t judge our show based on these leaked videos!! The effects are going to knock your socks off. And my costars, @Iamthorstenkaye and @gregrikaart, are doing the best work of their lives!” That was followed by, T”hank you @GeorgeRRMartin_ for the chance to work with you on your first foray into soaps! I am humbled and honored. We won’t let you down.” And then, “I’m probably not allowed to share this with all the NDAs I signed, but damnit I’m just so proud of the #wildcardssoap team! think we are breaking new ground for soaps. So proud to work with you!”
Now below, check out the Wild Cards “leaked footage” and let us know if you think of the …. um … drama! Comment below. And one more thing … Happy April Fool’s!
All My Children
WATCH: All My Children Reunion On Strahan & Sara
On Monday’s episode of ABC’s Strahan & Sara, the show welcomed several stars of the beloved All My Children for a reunion, of sorts. Joining hosts Michael Strahan and Sara Haines were Susan Lucci (Erica), Walt Willey (Jack), Cady McClain (Dixie), Jacob Young (JR) and Jill Larson (Opal).
While it was wonderful to see the stars from Pine Valley again, it was also a painful reminder that this network, ABC, canceled the show, and had put in its place – The Chew, and now Strahan & Sara – since canning the series. In fact, as you will see on the clips below, many of the crew who work on this talk show were once the crew for All My Children.
During the segment, Susan Lucci was tested to see if she remembered all of Erica Kane’s wedded names. Later, Walt Willey and Susan re-created the final scene of the ABC version of All My Children between Erica and Jack, where Jack walks out on her. However, this time, they have Jack changing his mind and coming back to Erica and sealing their relationship with a kiss – a moment of closure that never happened (since the show moved to online via Prospect Park).
In addition, Cady McClain and Jacob Young re-created the infamous Dixie “dying from eating poison pancakes” scene, as JR watches his mother die, only this time she lives.
It’s always great to see these veteran performers, but Strahan & Sara is trying to capture the soap viewers to put eyeballs on their show by bringing in talent from the show that sadly and wrongly went off the air.
Watch the clips below from the All My Children reunion below. Then, let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.
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Totally worth it, but sadly can’t afford it with my income issues. :'(
forget about it, why should we pay?. this is ridiculous, im not watching at all.
Well, count me out then. I’ve never been a fan of subscription model. I’m cool watching GH and a bunch of great primetime shows– entirely free!! 🙂
Thanks for the great article, Michael. People are willing to pay for what they want to see. Crystal Chappell has proven time and again that she produces great quality shows. SoI am expecting no less from Beacon Hill. Is it March yet ?
That’s disappointing. I was hoping they wouldn’t go subscription model. As much as I want to see it, I think I’ll wait for the reviews before I commit.
I’ll pass.
count me out
OF COURSE i will very happily pay the subscription fee! I love the idea that there are no corporations to come in and dictate or censor content. If we the fans are in charge, we have the power.. or CC has the power in our behalf. I am EXCITED to pay my money and sponsor Beacon Hill.
I’ll subscribe. It looks to be a quality show and I don’t mind paying for an ad-free season. The price is minimal.
I have no problem paying the subscription fee. It is a show I want to watch, I will pay for it. It beats most of the junk on cable tv…
Well, so much for that! I was excited about the show, but now I won’t be watching because I’m not going to pay to watch a show. I have a tight income and my $9.99 can be better used elsewhere.
Plus, what happens if I do pay and watch a few episodes and don’t like it? I’m out my hard-earned $9.99!
I will probably take a chance and pay the subscription. I wonder if the first episode will be free, like Venice. It’s the price of a movie. Considering how many awful “big budget” movies I’ve spent $10 to see, I figure this subscription price isn’t too much to spend on watching a show and cast I might enjoy.
I will gladly pay this minimal amount of money. Anything that Crystal Chappell is involved in is something you don’t want to miss. She created Venice the Series which has run for four seasons, so far, and she also created The Grove. These are wonderful stories with talented actors and expert production. If you can afford it, I think you will feel it is money well spent. I can’t wait!
Count me out. I heard the episodes were shorter than Venice and only around the 8 minute mark so I think asking the same price is a bit much even if it is $9.99. Will the first episode be free I wonder?
What a surprise. CC is involved in another show and the show is going with a subscription model. Is she really that desperate to make money off her fans? I can’t think of a single webseries that CC isn’t part of that makes you pay to watch it. Why would I pay to watch this show when there’s an endless collection of webseries that I can watch for free? Also, why should I pay $10 to watch it now, when I can wait a year and watch it for free when it’s put on YouTube, like all the older seasons of Venice have been.
Leaves me out too! I was really looking forward to it, but SS does not allow for those little extras
If I had to pay $10 for every webseries, tv show, movie, etc, that I want to see, I would go broke quickly. It costs less for a monthly membership to netflix and there I can watch the entire run of many series as well as movies. I would have preferred a crowd sourcing or sponsorship approach and I think that would have allowed Beacon Hill to have gained a wider audience…an audience that after seeing the first season, might decide it is worth it to sponsor the project.
Beacon Hill is not Venice. This premiere will not come with a large, clamoring fanbase, willing to pay no matter what. I think the producers of Beacon Hill are making a costly mistake. I for one will not be paying to see it. There is too much else out there and too many other places to spend my money. I can watch soaps and other websoaps for free. Why is it that when a soap has lesbian representation, we have to pay for it? I know they need to cover their costs but I find it impossible to believe that they are going to be able to do that with Crystal Chappell’s dwindling fanbase footing the bill.
Yeah sorry no. The a la carte online pay per show model is never going to fly.
A subscription fee wouldn’t necessarily be a barrier to me in if I really wanted to watch. $10 bucks per year is less than a buck per episode which sounds reasonable enough on the surface.
BUT if you want to watch even an hour per day of low budget a la carte online shows that run maybe 20 minutes each at best then that $1 per day quickly soars to $3 per day and around $90 per month. Not gonna happen.
I can’t say how much I appreciate the innovator and pioneers who are out there trying but the best they’ll ever do is manage to interest a larger investor in their concept or “pilot” if you will.
I wish them well and admire their spirit. Will I be signing on to their project. No. Call me when I can watch on the services where I’m already paying for a lot less for a lot more content.
I’m in! It would be nice to be able to pay $9.99/ year or something less a month to see all of Open Book Production’s shows, but even if each series is $9.99 – I’ll pay. There is still a shortage of good lesbian content, and I don’t wanna miss it!
10 bucks is nothing…. as long as the episodes are more than 7 minutes each….and as long as we can view it in Canada.
Oh, hellz no! I am not giving that grifter (or any project associated with her) one more penny. What’s next, BH panties?
I have no problem paying the $9.99. Looking forward to watching. Hopefully it will eventually get a sponsor.
Count me in! $9.99 not an issue. Looks like a great cast and interesting story.
No thank you. I’m not pay $9.99 cause I already pay hulu for GH
Sarah Brown is the best actress on the planet and I would pay the ten bucks to watch her in action, and as long as she’s playing the democrat in the scenario…I’m sold! Otherwise I’ll pass.
Yeah, not going to buy it. Should have gone a different route than subscription model to build an audience.
Will it be available to view on iPhones iPads or devices or is it only available for home computer viewing?
No. The cost is not the issue for me. The scenario that some people want to see it, but simply can’t afford to, is an issue for me when apparently there was a reasonable alternative not chosen (advertising & sponsors). I’m cool with the idea of maximizing profits for a desired service (supply and demand at its finest), but never if the expense to the tightly budgeted is avoidable. I would however subscribe if advertising/sponsorships were unsuccessfully attempted & would then be more than happy to support the highly talented underdog. I would rather support kickstarter projects as I do believe in supporting uniquely artistic visions and dreams. However, even there I am highly suspicious of the kickstarter projects that beg the public for money and then “miraculously” receive most of their funding goal on day 30, the last day. I do wish Beacon Hill and all involved much success now and in all their future endeavors. I guess I just don’t believe in the subscription fee choice.
I will subscribe. The price does not bother me. I am interested in this cast and the story . This cast is very talented soap stars that I want to see. If I do not like after one season, then I would not pay a second time. I am excited about this series and cannot wait until March.
I don’t think that 9.99 is too much to ask for a show of this caliber. I pay for Venice The Series and will happily pay for The Grove and I will also pay for Beacon Hill, I love Crystal Chappell and company and their work is spot on for talent and content.
Really it is not that much…. Go to one movie & it costs more than that…. I’m on Disability and a fixed income but think it is worth the cost to support quality productions that support me!! I mean look at what happened to “Guiding Light” with a corporation behind it…. Plus they sanitized it way too much…. I mean a kiss would have been nice…. I’ve supported “Venice The Series” and “The Grove” …. I would to support them more but unable… I guess I am also an artist and see it from that point of view too…. Crystal puts out quality productions and has not let me down yet…. So I support what & when I can!! I like my programming to reflect some aspect of my life (Thanks to “The Fosters”) and web series we ARE being represented but it will take time…. So in the meanwhile I support things that I feel need to be supported!! 😉
Unemployed with no income — unfortunately, I can’t afford it. Bummed out!
I would love to watch, but I already pay my cable $160.00 per month with no extras.
9.99 is nothing ,i’d pay much more to see crystal chappell she is magnificent