Breaking News
‘Days of our Lives’ Producer Files Lawsuit Against Sony Pictures Television
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.
Make sure to read more on the lawsuit click here.
So, what do you think about some of the key points that the Days of our Lives producers bring up in their lawsuit against Sony? Comment below.
I think the producers need to learn some basic geography/history: “… including Great Britain, Scotland, Wales…” A little redundant, much, LOL?
“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
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)
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 suspect that the network has always wanted to get rid of DOOL. That is the reason the network has made production so difficult.
True, this lawsuit confirms that Sony starved Days to feed Y&R.
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.
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.
I hate you, 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?
A big amen to this!
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 !
okay I like long winded when I have the passion
LOL Salute !
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!!❤️
You’re absolutely right. Days deserves to be awarded every dollar of that 20 million.
Something bad is going to come out of this and while I don’t feel good admitting this, I am thinking only one word: cancellation.
Yep. If they don’t win the suit, DAYS is history.
Sounds reasonable. I do think if they get 100% of something, they’ll promote that over something they only get 50% of.
Very true Momo.
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!
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.
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
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
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.
Breaking News
Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85
Marla Adams, best known for portraying matriarch, Dina Abbott Mergeron on CBS’ The Young and the Restless for 37 years, died on April 25, 2024, in Los Angeles. The news came from Y&R’s Director of Media and Talent, Matt Kane.
Throughout her veteran soap opera career, Marla appeared had appeared on Secret Storm (in her other longest running soap role as Bell Clemens from 1988-1974), The Bold and the Beautiful (ex-Beth Logan), Days of our Lives (ex-Dr. Claire McIntyre), Generations (ex- Helen Mullin), General Hospital (ex-Mildred Deal) and Capitol (ex-Myrna Clegg).
However, it was her role as Y&R’s upper crust Dina, who abandoned her children and her marriage to John Abbott (the late Jerry Douglas) that was her most memorable role. Throughout the years, Dina would have several romantic reunions with John, but in 2017, the character returned to Genoa City to reunite with her estranged family. Dina was the on-screen mother to Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).
Photo: JPI
As for Adams, she joined Y&R in 1982, but left the soap three years later her contract expired. She returned to Genoa City for stints in 1991, 1996 and 2008 before being asked by then Y&R head writer-producer Sally Sussman to return in 2017, which would begin the top-rated daytime drama telling the story of Alzheimer’s disease. Through Dina, the show shed light on a person going through the perils of the illness, and how the family copes and tries to come to terms with its fate.
In fact, Marla took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series in 2021 for her work in the storyline, She had previously been nominated in 2018.
Photo:JPI
Speaking with Michael Fairman TV, Marla shared on her final scenes on Y&R when Dina passed away and was reunited with John Abbott, “It was heart-wrenching for me. In the story, Dina died when she went outside and to the front door of the Abbott home. They did not tell me before-hand, and that’s why it was so wonderful. I hope they came in for a closeup of that because I had no makeup on, it was beautiful, and then, Dina said, “Oh, John.” I’ve done everything from movies, to daytime, to nighttime, to Broadway, but that was the iconic moment for me, to do this gig with wonderful, wonderful actors and friends, and to do this particular storyline.
Born in Ocean City, New Jersey, on August 28, 1938, Adams’ love for the stage was ignited after winning the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants and finishing as a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant. She also fondly remembered being the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City’s founding. A student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Adams appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne and starred as June in the 1961 feature film, Splendor in the Grass
Over the span of her decades long career, Adams starred in more than 40 productions including television’s: The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, The Love Boat, The New Dick Van Dyke Show, Harry O, Adam-12, Starsky and Hutch, Marcus Welby, M.D., Barnaby Jones, and the feature film, Beneath the Leaves.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Y&R’s current head writer and executive producer, Josh Griffith expressed, “On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on Y&R.
Marla is survived by her daughter, Pam Oates, son, Gunnar Garat, grandchildren, Gefjon and Stone, and her great-grandson, Remi.
Photo: JPI
Michael Fairman TV sends our condolences to Adam’s family, friends and co-stars. Now below, share your remembrances of Marla Adams, and watch a few of our interview with Marla from the set of Y&R during the show’s 45th anniversary celebration and on the red carpet at the Daytime Emmys below.
Breaking News
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
For those who were holding out hope that Daytime Emmy winner and fan favorite, Nicholas Chavez would be returning to General Hospital after filming his leading role in Ryan Murphy’s Monsters anthology, it looks like those hopes have been dashed.
According to a report from TV Line, although unconfirmed from General Hospital or a representative for Chavez, the actor will not reprise his role as Spencer Cassadine on the long-running ABC soap opera and continue the love story of Sprina opposite Tabyana Ali (Trina, GH).
Chavez was cast as Lyle Menendez over the the summer of 2023 for the second season of Murphy’s limited Monsters series on Netflix. In the upcoming season, the series will focus on the the case of Lyle and Erik Menendez, the two well-to-do Beverly Hills brothers accused of murdering their parents in 1989.
Photo: ABC
After word from Chavez casting was revealed, GH fans were concerned over the fate of the Sprina story, a spokesperson for GH shared, “We support Nicholas’ endeavors and look forward to having him return to General Hospital once this project is wrapped.”
In story, the series “killed off” Spencer when he went overboard with Esme to the steely waters below after being injected with a drug, thanks to Esme and falling into the Seine River in France. However, his body was never recovered, and believed to have drowned or washed away. Thus, leaving an opening for Spencer to return in the form of Chavez or be recast down the line.
Photo: ABC
TV Line shared that ‘multiple sources’ are confirming that Chavez is not returning to the ABC soap opera, which is what many had suspected might be the case once he left for this major starring role in a Ryan Murphy project. Chavez has been relatively quiet on social media for months.
Photo: ABC
The Michael Fairman Channel spoke with Nicholas Chavez for a virtual interview when he first joined the show in 2021, and spoke to him right after when he won the Daytime Emmy in 2022 – you can see those below.
No word yet on when Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menéndez Story will debut on Netflix, but it is assumed later this year.
So, what do you think about the news of Nicholas Chavez not returning to his role as Spencer Cassadine on General Hospital? Comment below.
Breaking News
‘Neighbours’ EP Jason Herbison on Series Daytime Emmy Nomination: “It’s a Huge Honour to be Nominated Alongside Such Iconic US Daytime Dramas”
When the 51st annual Daytime Emmy nominations were revealed last Friday, the iconic Australian soap opera, Neighbours, made the grade as one of the nominees for this year’s Outstanding Daytime Drama Series going up against U.S. titans such as General Hospital, The Young and the Restless et al.
That is because the revival of Neighbours, which is now seen in the United States streaming on Amazon Freevee, is now eligible under the rules from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS).
Not only did Neighbours receive its first Daytime Emmy nomination for Drama Series, but also for one of its legendary stars, Guy Pearce, who returned for a stint in the revival as Mike Young. Pearce is nominated for Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series.
Photo: Freemantle
Throughout its run, Neighbours has received several nominations and wins in Australian and the UK, with this being its first nomination in the U.S.
Neighbours Executive Producer Jason Herbison shared on this momentous moment for the series: ‘Neighbours has been on an incredible journey these past few years and a Daytime Emmy Award nomination is the icing on the cake! It’s a huge honour to be nominated alongside such iconic US daytime dramas. This news is an exciting moment for our hard working cast and crew and a wonderful recognition of the new chapter of the show on Amazon Freevee.”
Photo: Freemantle
For those who need a bit of a refresher on the revival of Neighbours. The series streams exclusively on Amazon Freevee in the UK and U.S. and on Prime Video in Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa. New episodes air daily Monday-Thursday on Amazon. The new series launched on 18 September, 2023, and picks up two years after the finale left off. In Australia, Network 10 retains first-run rights in Australia for the new chapter of the series.
Photo: Freemantle/AmazonFreevee
The series is known as the longest running local drama of all time in Australia and has launched the careers of so many celebrities including: Margot Robbie, Kylie Minogue, Jason Donovan, the aforementioned Guy Pearce, and Liam and Chris Hemsworth, to name but a few.
Long running series star Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodbridge shared their many thanks on Neighbours Daytime Emmy nominations in a video message below.
So, what do you think of ‘Neighbours’ being nominated for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series at the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Could they be the spoiler in the category? Weigh-in below.
Alan Fletcher and Jackie Woodburne would like to share a special message regarding our incredible #Neighbours Daytime Emmy Award nominations 💛 @DaytimeEmmys pic.twitter.com/wWWo5PxmfD
— Neighbours (@neighbours) April 23, 2024
Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain Announce They Have Ended Their Marriage
Y&R Stars Pay Tribute and Remember Marla Adams
(INTERVIEW) B&B’s Annika Noelle Reveals Her Lead Actress Emmy-Nominated Scenes, and the Ups and Downs of a Tough Year
Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Ellen Travolta Makes Another Return to General Hospital
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Jon Lindstrom and Cady McClain Announce They Have Ended Their Marriage
Kristian Alfonso Returns to Days of our Lives for Tribute to The Late Bill Hayes
Adam Huss Makes Another Return to General Hospital as Nikolas Cassadine
Marla Adams, The Young and the Restless’ Dina Mergeron, Dies at 85
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny and Jason Trade Threats on Each Other
REPORT: Nicholas Chavez Not Returning to General Hospital
Cameron Mathison Previews New Game Show ‘Beat The Bridge’ (Promo)
Y&R’s Michelle Stafford Talks on Her Lead Actress Daytime Emmy Nomination, Allison Lanier, and ‘Pacific Palisades’ with Finola Hughes
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Breaking NewsApril 19, 2024(WATCH) 2024 Daytime Emmy Nominations Special Live!