Breaking News
Soap Opera Digest to Discontinue Its Weekly Print Edition; Special Issues Will Be Four Times a Year
In a sign of the times, and yet heartbreaking to learn, Soap Opera Digest, the kingpin of weekly soap print magazines for nearly five decades is being discontinued. The news was handed-down to staff members on Friday, October 27th by a360Media.
The company confirmed that the weekly print edition will end, with only four special issues per year being generated instead.
In a statement to Variety, a360Media rep, shared, “Soap Opera Digest, like many other brands, is adjusting its print frequency and shifting more resources to digital to better accommodate its audience.”
Photo: SOD
The history of Soap Opera Digest showed how much things changed since its launch in 1975. Later, in 1989, Rupert Murdoch’s News Corp bought it for $70 million dollars before selling it two years later, and after that time, there had been a myriad of owners.
As soaps were at their hottest in the 80’s and early 90’s, SOD had a reported circulation of 1.5 million by 1991. However, as the times changed, and viewing patterns changed, and soap operas had been canceled, one after the other, circulation became much smaller.
As reflected on its website, Soap Opera Digest has been “the leading magazine reporting on soap operas for over 40 years.” Soap fans know there used to be Soap Opera Weekly, Soap Opera Update and Soaps In Depth magazines, as well as ‘Digest’, and over time they all were shut down. Soaps In Depth remains as a digital version.
No word yet on how this may affect or change the Soap Opera Digest online brand or its coverage, as to whether it will expand, or stay the same.
One thing is for sure, all of us who follow the soaps, are so used to picking-up our latest copy of SOD at our neighborhood grocery store or magazine and newspaper stand every week, that is, if you don’t have a mailed subscription. Many fans lived in anticipation for the current issue that would await them, so they were often willing to make even longer trips to a store to find it in their area.
Share your thoughts on a360Media’s decision to cease Soap Opera Digest’s weekly print editions via the comment section below.
Sad but I liked soap opera weekly better Mimi torchin got the best scoops SOD was very kissy ass to actors too.
For sure!
I mean Y n R has been so shit since Griffith especially took over and not one editor or columnist has called him out. Like horrible really. I feel to your point another previous publication like weekly would ve
Not just the actors, but the producers, too. Just this year, they ignored the AA controversy at DAYS until the man actually resigned.
Totally agrees
This is very sad news. Back in the day, I couldn’t wait for the newest edition of Soap Opera Digest. They had the best gossip and cast interviews. But, times have changed. Thank you to all the hard working people who brought the news and features to us for all those decades. My very best wishes to all of them.
You need to have soaps to have a magazine. Everything is history now because of the over abundance of Good Morning America and the freakin talk shows!
I am devastated by this. I want the magazine in my hand!!!!
It’s a sad day We all realize that we are in a different time and most print mags are hanging by a thread but for those of us who still love that old school book in the mail or the newsstand it’s the end of yet another era does anyone know the end date or any online life to the mag please inform
I think thats terrible, for years i saved every one. They came out every other week then every week. I didnt have room to save them anymore but i had them since the 70’s & on & on. Keep it going
Are they reimbursing those of us that have paid through 2024? I’ve paid through September!
I just re-upped in the summer!
same.
I just requested a subscription in early October 2023. Sales in stores have been wonky since November 2022, for me. I contacted a360 media for help in rectifying the fact that the magazine wasn’t getting on the stands in a timely fashion or at all! They didn’t seem to be working too hard to figure out the problem. I guess, here’s my answer why.
I used to love going to the store the day digest would come out in the 80s and 90s but when Soap Opera Weekly came out in 89, that became my favorite and I was surprised it shut down before digest. Haven’t bought a print copy in decades. With only 4 soaps, it’s just not the same.
This is incredibly sad to me.
I’ve had a subscription since the 70’s and loved that it was still in print so that you could actually hold the magazine in your hand and read it.
As someone else said, I want to also thank everyone who worked to put out the issues for us. Please know you are appreciated.
Totally bad move. Not everyone has a computer!!
If you’re reading this posting and typing a reply here, you obviously have computer access.
Or a least a smartphone
I loved it when you could vote for the actors for the Soap Opera Digest Awards! I had it mailed to my home where I would read it cover to cover!
This makes me very sad. I live in NYC and I *never* see places selling the print edition. I subscribed digitally through the app but it stopped working months ago. I’ll truly miss the magazine.
What will happen to my present subscription. It doesn’t end yet?
How do we get back our money for the magazines we won’t be receiving. You owe it to us!
I have paid thru March 2024 will we be reimbursed? Not happy. I want my weekly magazine in my mail still!!
Same for me. What I find disappointing is the fact we got no message from SOD. Unless I missed that email, I don’t recall getting a message stating the magazine was shutting down. I read about on “X” and certainly no message about refunds/transferring my subscription to another magazine that I didn’t ask for or want. I’ve been a fan of SOD since the 80’s and though sad to see it end, I’m sad this is the way they treat their customers.
Very sad indeed!! Would be nice if you would let your subscribers know if they will reimbursed for subscriptions !! Mine ends April 2024 looks like I’m out of luck .
I think SOD would have done better to have gone back to their monthly format, since there are only 4 soap left, now, & one of them is only on Peacock. They could have survived that way; this news is very disappointing, as I’ve always looked forward to getting the latest issue of SOD. I didn’t like that one of their reviewers who wrote for the magazine seemed very slanted toward one soap, Days of Our Lives. Sometimes DoOL would get extra photos, extra articles, where none of the other soaps did. If they were going to do that, they should have rotated all the soaps that are left; fair is fair, after all, & the bias that was displayed was shameful. Sure, it’s ok to prefer one soap over another, but to show it in a weekly magazine, where it shouldn’t make any difference, NOPE! NOT KOSHER! 🙁 I’ll miss the issues I used to look forward to, have saved back a bunch old ones; guess I’ll read those, when I can’t get the regular ones, anymore 🙁
They shouldn’t have halted production before telling subscribers how they plan to reimburse us. What is the plan? I want a refund for the subscriptions I won’t receive.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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