General Hospital
DISNEY/ABC Launching WATCH ABC App! GH Fans Can Watch It Live In-Synch With Broadcast!
Walt Disney Company’s ABC s looking to become the first broadcast network to go live on the Internet on a full-time basis. Today they announced “Watch ABC” which will debut this fall and allow viewers to watch the network from mobile devices and tablets when they are away from home.
“Watch ABC” will basically be a live stream of the network’s feed as well as local programming such as news. “Watch ABC” allows viewers of such programs as General Hospital to view their shows in real-time.
According to L.A. Times, “The service is only available to people who already have a pay-TV provider. Also, it will initially not be available in every market because ABC needs to reach distribution agreements for Watch ABC with all its local affiliates. The first two markets to have Watch ABC will be New York and Philadelphia starting May 14, where ABC owns the stations. Then ABC will roll the service out to other markets where it owns local TV stations including KABC-TV Los Angeles. Also partnering with the network on the service is Hearst Corp. which owns several major market ABC affiliates including outlets in Boston and Pittsburgh.”
“Watch ABC is a game-changing innovation for the broadcast television industry,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group. “This announcement represents a defining moment in technology and distribution, as well as for our advertising and affiliate partners, as we ensure that our high-quality content is available to viewers on a variety of devices.”
The “Watch ABC” effort represents a dramatic shift in the way networks view the Web. While much of the TV industry has been focused on putting content online, it has mostly used the platform for video on demand, not live TV. The reasons for that approach are several. First, there was a school of thought that consumers were not interested in watching live TV on the Web but instead preferred to use it for movies or to catch up on shows they may have missed.
Another issue had to do with the often complex relationship between broadcast networks and the local stations that carry their programming. The local stations don’t want viewers to be able to bypass them and just watch a national ABC feed on the Web. That would hurt their ratings and ad revenue. That meant ABC had to ensure that the interests of its affiliates were protected and that any feed include their local programming in any online linear feed of the network. In addition, many local stations carry syndicated programs that they may not have the rights to offer online. There are also rights issues regarding sports highlights that appear in local news and even music rights.
According to the official Disney/ABC press release: “The launch of WATCH ABC follows the successful rollout of three authenticated WATCH Disney services — WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WATCH Disney Junior — in June 2012. Downloaded nearly 15 million times since their debut, the three WATCH Disney products provide authenticated users with both access to live, linear network streams as well as an extensive offering of advantaged window “on demand” episodes. In addition to WATCH ABC and the WATCH Disney services, Disney Media Networks offers WatchESPN, an authenticated 24/7 live stream of six networks, including all of ESPN’s sports and studio shows. Plans are also in place to roll out WATCH ABC Family in early 2014.”
So soap fans, what do you think of the having an app to allow you to watch everything on network television as it happens on the go? Would you watch General Hospital that way? Let us know!
Breaking News
Amanda Setton Cast As GH’s New Brook Lynn Ashton
Former One Life to Live alum, Amanda Setton (Ex-Kimberly) is about to make her debut on General Hospital in the role of Ned (Wally Kurth)and Lois’ (formerly B&B’s Rena Sofer) daughter, Brook Lynn Ashton!
The news of the recast came via TV Line, and Setton is set to make her on-screen debut next Monday on the November 18th episode of the ABC soap.
In story, it looks like Ned and his current wife, Olivia (Lisa LoCicero) welcome Brook Lynn back to Port Charles. The role haas previously been played by Brooke Radding and Adrianne Leon.
In addition to her work as the former Mrs. Clint Buchanan in Llanview, (Kimberly started as a Las Vegas stripper who came to Llanview to help her best friend, Stacy Moraso played by Crystal Hunt) Setton has had numerous primetime roles including: Hawaii Five-0, The Crazy Ones, The Mindy Project, and Gossip Girl.
News of the return of Brook Lynn to GH comes on the heels of the return of Nikolas Cassadine now played by actor, Marcus Coloma.
What do you think of the return of Brook Lynn means for the characters of Port Charles? Who might be her romantic interest? Share your thoughts via the comment section below
General Hospital
General Hospital Receives Honor From Ruderman Family Foundation
General Hospital was one of five television shows that has been named and honored by the Ruderman Family Foundation for their accurate depictions of people with disabilities.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, the soap received the recognition for the casting of Maysoon Zayid who portrayed Shilohs’s (Coby Ryan McLaughlin) lawyer, Zahra Amir.
Zayid is an actress and disabilities advocate living with cerebral palsy. In addition, Maysoon is also one of America’s first Muslim women comedians. Zayid said landing on GH was a “lifelong dream,” after finding it difficult to land roles due to her disability.
Along with GH, the foundation’s seal of authentic representation went to: Netflix’s Tales of the City and Raising Dion, and BBC/HBO’s Years and Years and Audience’s Loudermilk, great company for the ABC daytime drama series to be included with.
Jay Ruderman, president of the Ruderman Family Foundation expressed in a statement. “By giving credit where credit is due in Hollywood, we hope to inspire a broader, longer-term, industry-wide sea change when it comes to authentically casting actors of all abilities.”
In addition, Frank Valentini, executive producer of General Hospital stated: “Our goal has always been to provide stories that are authentic and relatable for our viewers. Having the opportunity to welcome Maysoon Zayid onto the show was exciting for us. She is an incredible talent and was a perfect fit to guest-star as Zahra Amir. It takes all kinds of people to tell a story; especially those that are rich and entertaining enough to resonate with our audience.”
Share your congrats to GH and actress Maysoon Zayid on this honor via the comment section below.
Breaking News
Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
Just as your favorite soaps are kicking into high gear for November sweeps next week, comes the news that due to the House public impeachment hearings on President Donald Trump, daytime programming will endure several pre-mptions starting with the first two on Wednesday November 13th and Friday, November 15th.
CBS was the first network to announce their plans for their extensive coverage, and according to the Washington Post all other networks have followed suit. By this move by the networks it gives the hearing some extra weight and exposure to the American voters and viewing audience.
So far, leading network coverage for CBS will be reportedly anchored by Norah O’Donnell and for ABC George Stephanopoulos.
On Wednesday, the hearings begin at 10am EST, the second is scheduled for Friday beginning at 11am EST.
William Taylor, the U.S. diplomat in the Ukraine, is scheduled to testify Wednesday and on Friday Marie Yovanovitch, the former U.S. ambassador to Ukraine, is scheduled to testify.
The networks are expecting big numbers for covering the hearings, as they have in the past for impeachment proceedings and hearings.
No word yet how the soaps plan for you to see the episodes that don’t air at their regularly scheduled times, or if it shifts your soap viewing schedule by several days.
Nevertheless not great timing when the soaps are revving up their stories to make you tune-in for not-to-be missed episodes.
So, what are your thoughts on what the Impeachment hearings could mean for daytime dramas in in the weeks ahead? Comment below.
Days of our Lives Celebrates 54th Anniversary (Photos)
Amanda Setton Cast As GH’s New Brook Lynn Ashton
General Hospital Receives Honor From Ruderman Family Foundation
Days of our Lives Blockbuster Flash-Forward Promo: Where Are Your Favorites One-Year Later?
Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Lucas Needs Fatherly Advice From Tony As Ryan Carnes and Brad Maule Deliver Tender Scenes
Emily VanCamp On ‘Revenge” Reboot: “I Can’t Say Who, But They’re Bringing Back a Specific Person”
WATCH: Sesame Street Crash B&B Scene With Jacqueline MacInnes Wood and Denise Richards On ‘The Late Late Show’
REVENGE Reboot in the Works at ABC
Y&R and GH Alum, William Wintersole Dies At 88
Denise Richards Signs On For More B&B; Katrina Bowden Takes Break To Film Movie
Days of our Lives Blockbuster Flash-Forward Promo: Where Are Your Favorites One-Year Later?
Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
Y&R and GH Alum, William Wintersole Dies At 88
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava Checks Into Shadybrook, While Laura Is Unconvinced That Nikolas Is Alive
Y&R Casts Their New Chance Chancellor
‘To the Moon and Back’ Starring Dominic Zamprogna Has Premiere Screening (Photos)
Final Season of ‘EastSiders’ Starring Kit Williamson and Van Hansis Gets Premiere Date on Netflix
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Lucas Needs Fatherly Advice From Tony As Ryan Carnes and Brad Maule Deliver Tender Scenes
Lamon Archey and Sal Stowers Bring the Heartache and Heartbreak to DAYS’ Elani Wedding
WATCH: Sesame Street Crash B&B Scene With Jacqueline MacInnes Wood and Denise Richards On ‘The Late Late Show’
Soap Opera Halloween Promos: Bumps In the Night And Costumes A-Plenty
Kelly Ripa Reveals How Her Son Chose NYU Due To The Consuelos Connection To Former Soap EP/ Director, Chris Goutman
Justin Hartley Guest Hosts ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards: Three Ceremonies Over Three Nights
GH ‘One Aftershock After Another’ Promo : Fayden’s Daughter, Ava Stalked, Judge Rules On Franco
Chloe Lanier’s New Short Film ‘The Reveal’ Releases First Trailer
WATCH: Jonathan Jackson + Enation’s New Music Video “The Days Are Evil”
GH’s Maurice Benard Launches ‘State of Mind’ Website
James Patrick Stuart Finally Gets His Photo In The Hallways at General Hospital: Watch What Happens!
-
NewsNovember 4, 2019Denise Richards Signs On For More B&B; Katrina Bowden Takes Break To Film Movie
-
Days Of Our LivesNovember 10, 2019Days of our Lives Blockbuster Flash-Forward Promo: Where Are Your Favorites One-Year Later?
-
Breaking NewsNovember 10, 2019Networks To Preempt Daytime Programming For Donald Trump Impeachment Hearing Coverage
-
Breaking NewsNovember 6, 2019Y&R and GH Alum, William Wintersole Dies At 88
-
General HospitalNovember 2, 2019GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava Checks Into Shadybrook, While Laura Is Unconvinced That Nikolas Is Alive
-
Breaking NewsNovember 5, 2019Y&R Casts Their New Chance Chancellor
-
General HospitalNovember 3, 2019‘To the Moon and Back’ Starring Dominic Zamprogna Has Premiere Screening (Photos)
-
As The World TurnsNovember 5, 2019Final Season of ‘EastSiders’ Starring Kit Williamson and Van Hansis Gets Premiere Date on Netflix
Leave a Reply
Haven’t watched ABC since they canceled AMC and OLTL! If I don’t watch it on my TV I most certainly won’t be down loading their App!
Ditto! Losers!
Not if it meant that my GH would change in any way that effected the characters, the actors, or the integrity of the show I have watched since 1965. If I still had my hour long show, and I could see it live on the network, and it would count towards the ratings for GH then yes.
Still boycotting ABC. Love the news about Susan Lucci being in the Smithsonian!
We cancelled our cable last week, because $150 a month for internet and cable was just crazy. We’re only using a Roku, and it would make sense for ABC to step into the 21st century and make this “Watch ABC” app AD-SUPPORTED instead of making it available only to those homes with cable, but they’re not logical enough to understand that.
I shut off my then about to be $50/mo cable in mid 2008. Haven’t missed it, except for going thru withdrawals for OLTL and GH, which I watched when I could or online at lunchtime at work. But I didn’t miss those $50 bills one bit!
And I just got high speed internet, but I just had it added to my regular landline phone bill – it was wayyyyy cheaper than those bundles. They try to make it such a big deal to have it all bundled and “on one bill”… well my internet and phone are still on one bill, but cheaper!
but you can watch many shows on hulu.com for free, and many other sites, that have many, many regular broadcast stations to pick from including ABC, SyFy, Fox, HBO… and it’s all free!
Isn’t this just like abc day player?
ABC/Disney is doing some innovated thinghs these days..
They were the first to have prime time soaps of value that were busting cjharts, and still are..
Now they are aiming at millions who do there viewing on-line..
CBS tried to do the prime time soaps but they were not near a great as ABC’s and some didn’t make it..
I know some are still boycotting ABC, and ABC does not notice or give a damn about them lol and they are missing out on some really great prime time viewing/soaps..
It is the boycotter’s loss not ABC’s … lol (ABC wins on that one)
We know that ABC does not care that we boycott them. We do it because it makes us feel better. There is no loss to me because there is nothing worth watching on ABC.
I respectfully disagree. I’m boycotting ABC and I’m not missing a thing.
I choose to not watch abc and could care less what they think about it. I have found that I do not miss them.
Sorry, abc does not win on that one.
Um, not really. If they aren’t losing then why do they need an APP now that PP already went to internet. Why watch any of their shows when they will just cancel them anyway, regardless of what their fans want?
You people who are boycotting ABC are just so adorable. I wish people like you would focus your attention on important things like cancer research and the like. As for your comment CeCe, ABC is quite logical – they make much more money from the cable/satellite companies than they would from app advertising
Glad you find us ‘adorable’. But you have absolutely NO idea what else we may be focusing our attention on. Very insulting.
Takes no time on my part to boycott ABC.
Other AJ,
So boycotting ABC is a waste of time that could be spent on cancer research.. so WATCHING ABC is what? Saving the rain forest or serving the greater good?
GH people get so offended that we won’t watch ABC, and therefore, not supporting their soap. GH will be cancelled soon enuff, and these same people defending ABC are gonna look like fools for sticking up for them when they have said the soap genre is dead.
The future of TV is on the internet.. AMC and OLTL are leading the way!
I first watched Santa Barbara. It was canceled. I didn’t boycott NBC. Shows are canceled all the time. It’s business. I understand that networks are in business to make money. I get over cancellations and get on with my life.
Think how much Cancer research you could have done while typing this condescending crap!
This app doesn’t sound groundbreaking to me. I watch GH on hulu or abc.com or I dvr GH (the only ABC show I watch) and watch at MY convenience.
Still hatin’ ABC. Loving OLTL & AMC on hulu.
Me neither, who doesn’t have a App these days. Only ABC would theirs is groundbreaking.
This will not make me watch abc/d any more than I already do.
This is good news for #GH fans. I still won’t watch ABC (except for GH). I still can’t forgive them for cancelling #OLTL & #AMC. They are trying to court us, but for me, IT WON’T WORK!!! #ElephantsMemory
I see there’s more than one AJ.. guess I need a more unique moniker.
how ’bout Pickle AJ? 🙂
i just record to DVD when I’m on vacation… same as when I’m at work and watch later. And it’s on free TV – antenna and they do not count me…
but sometimes I watch GH online, but it’s still in the evening, so live stream doesn’t interest me. I actually prefer to watch it ‘not live’ cuz then I can fast forward thru parts I don’t care about.
I’m not surprised they are doing this, but they obviously missed the boat time wise. Just think if they had done this 2-3 years ago and instead of cancelling shows, they put them online… hey, what an idea…
ha ha