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
‘Santa Barbara’ Favorites A Martinez and Marcy Walker, ‘Cruz and Eden’ Reunion Chat, On Demand Replay Available for Half Price (Exclusive)
The love was felt around the world during the Sunday, June 7 livestream conversation featuring enduring Santa Barbara Daytime Emmy winners, A Martinez and Marcy Walker who played Cruz Castillo and Eden Capwell on the iconic NBC soap opera. The popular duo reunited for this special one-day only special event honoring their most memorable of daytime roles.
Santa Barbara was globally a hit, and nothing illustrated that more than having attendees from 20 countries and over four continents participate in and watch the live chat moderated by Melissa Braverman, the author of Santa Barbara: The Complete Story due out this fall.
While many were not able to purchase the initial livestream when the ticket costs were revealed to be $100, A Martinez previously clarified the event was to also raise money for Walker, who is currently facing a very serious health situation, now there is a way to catch the replay at half the price.

Courtesy: MBraverman
HOW YOU CAN STILL CATCH A AND MARCY’S LIVESTREAM
Michael Fairman TV can share exclusively that if you missed the chance to see and listen to what A and Marcy had to say, On demand access is available at the event link for a half price at $50 (guests can contribute up to $100 if they so chose). Like the livestream, 100% of On demand sales for the recording will be available for a limited time only, and also go toward Marcy’s medical expenses.
There was plenty of laughter, tears, and reminiscing through the the two and a half hour chat which included: some memorable footage and images from the love story of Cruz and Eden. At one point, Marcy reflected on the enduring impact and affection for Cruz and Eden. “You hope that whatever you do in this life, that you’ll make an impact of some kind,” expressed Walker. “It doesn’t have to necessarily be wrapped up in success or career or anything like that, but I think we all want desperately to feel like our time here blessed someone. To hear that somebody’s life was even a moment better because of what we did is a massive gift.

Photo: NBC
A AND MARCY’S DESIRE TO WORK TOGETHER AGAIN
In a moment that brought joy to those in attendance, A and Marcy both expressed a sincere hope and desire that one day they can work together again. Martinez explained, “There’s more avenues to pursue now than there have ever been. I would say just keep a good thought for it. I’ve been holding it for decades, and I fully intend to do whatever I can to make it happen. We’re engaged in trying to make it happen. And you know, we’ll see. I know we both want to do it.” Marcy simply nodded and responded “Amen.”
Melissa Braverman shared with Michael Fairman TV, her sentiments on hosting the Santa Barbara favorites. “Seeing A and Marcy together again, even virtually, was an absolute gift. It instantly reminded all of us why we fell so hard for Cruz and Eden in the first place. Their undeniable chemistry leaped off the screen and straight back into our hearts, proving that the magic they created all those years ago hasn’t faded one bit. Sharing in equal parts laughter and tears felt like catching up with old friends. It just meant the world to see them side-by-side again and to see how this incredible fandom showed up for Marcy during such an important time for her.”
So, if you attended the livestream chat with A Martinez and Marcy Walker, what did you enjoy hearing about the most? Now the tickets have dropped to watch the replay On Demand, would you want to check it out? Let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
‘Days of Our Lives’ Officially Confirms Ryan Quan Returning as Co-Head Writer Beginning in July
There is definitely a shake-up going down at the writing team at Peacock’s Days of Our Lives. Now, the long-running soap opera has confirmed, what has been previously reported, that current General Hospital breakdown writer, Ryan Quan is heading back to his old stomping grounds in Salem. This time as the series co-head writer.
The appointment of Quan comes with the official news that current co-head writer, Paula Cwikly, who was previously rumored to be departing the series, is not. She is staying with the soap opera and transitioning to a consultant role with the show. Now, Quan will join current co-head writer, Jeanne Marie Ford to steer the ship for the characters on the canvas.
On Wednesday, TV Insider, reported the official confirmation and that Quan will return to DAYS next month in July. In a statement to the outlet, executive producer, Ken Corday expressed, ‘We are lucky to have Ryan back in the fold. There are very few people who have such a deep knowledge and understanding of our show’s history. Stay tuned!”

Photo: JPI
THE FUTURE OF DAYS OF OUR LIVES
Since Days of our Lives unusual production schedule tapes ten-months ahead of air, the new creative team’s vision led by Quan and Jeanne Marie Ford are not expected to stream on Peacock until mid-2027.
Days of Our Lives is currently renewed through its 63rd season. The former NBC soap opera which transitioned to Peacock in September of 2022, celebrate its 60th anniversary in November of 2025.
The writing regime change comes after NBCUniversal Media Chairman Matt Strauss revealed that Peacock is expected to turn a profit for the first time in the current quarter, punctuating their investment with the enduring soap opera on its platform.
As for Quan, his knowledge of Salem is tremendous. Ryan joined Days of Our Lives as a writer’s assistant in 2007 after some time over at Passions. He then spent two decades and held every position on the writing team where he previously served as co-head writer from 2016-17 alongside Dena Higley.
Later, when Ron Carlivati took over as head writer for 7 years in 2017, Quan became his right-hand man and main story consultant for his deep knowledge of the history and the legacy of the show. After Carlivati exited the show in 2024, General Hospital hired Quan in 2025.
So, what do you think about DAYS making it official with Ryan Quan as the new co-head writer of the series alongside Jeanne Marie Ford. What do you think about the fact we won’t see the changes on-screen till 2027? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Breaking News
ABC Announces ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Texas Spin-Off Gets Straight-to-Series Order
In a surprise move, coming a week after ABC unveiled its 2026-2027 fall television schedule, Grey’s Anatomy is getting a new spinoff co-created by the original series’ creator/executive producer Shonda Rhimes.
The new untitled medical drama will be written and executive produced by Rhimes and Grey’s Anatomy showrunner/executive producer Meg Marinis under the Shondaland and 20th Television umbrella. In addition, long-running ‘Grey’s’ star Ellen Pompeo will also serve as an EP of the spinoff.
The upcoming new series will debut midseason in 2027. This will be the first of Grey’s franchise not set in urban city or West Coast locale. According to Deadline, the new “edgy drama is about a team at a rural West Texas medical center — the last chance for care before miles of nowhere.”

Photo: ABC
In a statement, Marinis shared, “I am incredibly excited to expand the Grey’s Anatomy universe. This opportunity will bring new characters and stories to life that will embody the same heart, emotion and connection audiences have loved from Grey’s for more than two decades — all set in my home state of Texas. I am so grateful to Shonda Rhimes for creating this dynamic world and feel so fortunate that I get to be a part of it.”
A NEW GROUP OF DOCTORS IN RURAL TEXAS
The Texas spinoff will feature a a new group of doctors, but there will be some connection to the OG Grey’s Anatomy and possibly to Debbie Allen’s character of Catherine Fox. The amount of episodes in the series order has not yet been determined. Previous Grey’s Anatomy spinoffs were the defunct Station 19 and Private Practice.
Previously, Grey’s Anatomy was renewed for its upcoming 23rd season while the amount of episodes is unclear. The last two seasons the series produced 18 episodes.
It should also be noted, Grey’s Anatomy and the Texas spinoff would likely share a time period, which requires limited-run orders for both with Grey’s premiering in the fall, followed by the spinoff on the midseason programming block.
So, what do you think about a Texas spinoff of Grey’s Anatomy coming in 2027? Who would you like to see from daytime or primetime as some of the featured roles as new doctors? Put on your casting directors hat and let us know via the comment section below.
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