All My Children
TV Guide on Why ABC lost Hope for Its Soaps!
Courtesy/ABC
Today TV Guide has an analysis and commentary on why ABC lost hope for its soaps and decided to pull the plug on One Life to Live and All My Children. And the cost analysis of putting on a daytime soap per week as opposed to the new reality shows, The Chew and The Revolution. Here are the key ‘takeaways’ from the news item below!
“Greater choice and audience fragmentation have meant lower ratings for all programs. The daytime soaps built their cost structure during a time when the networks had little competition. The ratings have reached a point where even after cutbacks, ABC was on a path to lose money on All My Children and One Life to Live if they stayed on the air next year. The cost of producing each ABC soap ran from $750,000 to $1 million a week.
The new shows that will replace them will each be $575,000 a week or less. There’s The Chew, a food-centric lifestyle show hosted by chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon, Top Chef‘s Carla Hall and nutrition expert Daphne Oz, and The Revolution (working title), a health and lifestyle show with Tim Gunn. And unlike soaps, the episodes can be repeated.
CBS is already seeing higher profits for its new daytime chatfest The Talk, even though the ratings are slightly below those of As the World Turns, the soap it replaced. When CBS recently gave multiyear renewals to The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, it was at significantly lower license fees. Many viewers will miss the soaps, just as some miss the variety show, the big-budget miniseries and other TV fare of a bygone era. It’s the price viewers pay for living in a multi-channel world, where they can watch what the want when they want.”
All My Children
‘All My Children’ Movie Writers for Lifetime Revealed: Ron Carlivati, Jamey Giddens and Leo Richardson
This week began and as reported with a spotlight article on Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos and how their production entity, Milojo, has been teeing up the All My Children reboot with Lifetime.
The L.A. Times featured the married couple, co-hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark, and former All My Children cast members (where they met and fell in love) about their plans to bring two All My Children movies to Lifetime and how they are working with the Agnes Nixon estate to make it come to fruition,
On Wednesday, it was revealed by Daytime Confidential, that All My Children reboot producer, Andrew Stearn handpicked none other than Ron Carlivati (ex-head writer, One Life to Live, General Hospital and Days of our Lives) and Jamey Giddens (who is the new co-head writer of The Young and the Restless, following his tenures on the writing teams of Beyond the Gates and Days of Our Lives), as the two scribes who will bring the first of two of Kelly and Mark’s All My Children movies to the page.
Photo: IMDb
RON CARLIVATI AND JAMEY GIDDENS CONFIRM THEIR BOARDING THE ALL MY CHILDREN MOVIE PROJECT
The second installment is said to be written by primetime writer Leo Richardson whose credits include: Star, Katy Keene and more recently the Penn Badgley (ex-Phillip Chancellor IV, The Young and the Restless) starring series, You.
Richardson also wrote for three years on the U.K.’s long-running soap, EastEnders. All My Children revival fans will recall Richardson’s name was attached as the writer for the first incarnation of the All My Children movies, entitled, Pine Valley.
Ron Carlivati took to X and confirmed he is indeed boarding the All My Children movie project. Carlivati shared, “So excited to share this news! Thanks to Andrew Stearn, Kelly Ripa, Mark Consuelos, Albert Bianchini and the Agnes Nixon estate for entrusting Jamey Giddens and me with the first of two planned All My Children movies for Lifetime! Stay tuned!”
Photo: Jeremy Smith/imageSPACE
Jamey Giddens confirmed DC’s announcement by taking to his account on X and expressing, “I’ve been booked and busy in 2026. Thanks to Andrew Stearn, the Agnes Nixon estate, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos for entrusting Ron Carlivati, and me with the first of two planned All My Children movies for Lifetime!”
Some fans seemed to question how Giddens could be writing for the first All My Children movie at Lifetime, when he is the new co-head writer at The Young and the Restless with Dan O’Connor. Jamey answered that head on via X and explained, “We turned in our All My Children script months ago. My sole focus as of this past Monday, is Genoa City, Wisconsin! #YR”
ERICA KANE, MARIA SANTOS AND HAYLEY AND MATEO SANTOS TO APPEAR IN THE ALL MY CHILDREN MOVIE REVIVAL?
In the planned stories, Susan Lucci’s Erica Kane and Eva LaRue’s Maria Santos will be two characters whose lives we will get to see for the first time since the series was canceled by ABC back in 2011 after 41 years on the air. As well, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos confirmed they will make brief appearances on-screen; one could assume as Hayley and Mateo Santos.
“It’d be wonderful to give the fans something that they’ve been yearning for so many years,” shared Mark Consuelos to the LA Times. “All My Children gave me my family. I met my wife there. It gave me my start in the business. It gave us so much. It would be a dream to be able to give back.”
So, what do you think of Ron Carlivati and Jamey Giddens getting nod to write the All My Children movie #1 script and Leo Richardson #2? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
All My Children
‘All My Children’ Revival Updates: Lifetime EVP Speaks on Why Proposed Movies are Great Fit, Mark Consuelos Wants To ‘Give Back’ to Fans
The All My Children revival via movies at Lifetime is still in the works from former series stars and marrieds, Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos, through their production company, Milojo.
The co-hosts of Live with Kelly and Mark were featured this week in a Los Angeles Times article which detailed their efforts to bring some of the citizens of Pine Valley back to your screens.
As previously reported, and reaffirmed by the L.A. Times, the All My Children movies will be set in the present day and focus on what beloved characters such as Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and Maria Santos Gray (Eva LaRue) are doing now. In addition, Kelly Ripa confirmed that she and Mark Consuelos will also appear on screen briefly most likely appearing in their signature soap roles as Hayley and Mateo Santos.
Photo: ABC
ALL MY CHILDREN MOVIES BRING NOSTALGIA THAT CAN BE MADE TO FEEL NEW AGAIN
Elaine Frontain Bryant, executive vice president and head of programming for A&E, Lifetime, and Lifetime Movie Network said of the All My Children reboot, “Lifetime is always interested in shows that kind of tap into a powerful nostalgia that can be made fresh for today’s audience. There’s a whole generation of women that have missed these stories and these characters.”
As for working with Kelly and Mark on the Lifetime movie versions of the soap, “They’re exactly the kind of partners you want at a brand,” expressed Bryant. “They’re trusted voices because every day they’re talking to their audience, which, a lot of times, is our audience. They bring a real credibility and have an authentic point of view. You meet Kelly and Mark and kind of what you see is what you get, and I think they bring that same authenticity to their development standards.”
Albert Bianchini, executive producer for Milojo, says he knows All My Children is so wildly popular with the fans of daytime. That was punctuated when seeing it in person, and how the energy was off the charts back in January of 2025 when Kelly participated along with Susan Lucci, former head writer, Lorraine Broderick and casting director, Judy Blye Wilson in a conversation with Andy Cohen at the 92nd Street Y in New York City.
© Steven Bergman/AFF-USA.COM Credit: AFF/Alamy Live News
“I’ve never seen a crowd like that in my life. People were lined up around the block, recalled the Bianchini. “Everyone wanted to know, ‘When is (All My Children) coming back? We want more.’ We got to see that in real life and Kelly got to feel it in real life, and it made so much sense. I just know that the minute it gets out in the world, people will want more and more and more. There’s just a love there.”
Kelly Ripa added that they are, “working closely with Bob and Sarah Nixon, who are also serving as producers.” She recalled, “She (Agnes Nixon) was so far ahead of her time. She covered topics that weren’t being covered. It was extraordinary the audiences that the show drew, and she served them real stories that were affecting Americans across the country but weren’t necessarily being represented anywhere.”
“It’d be wonderful to give the fans something that they’ve been yearning for so many years,” shared Mark Consuelos. “All My Children gave me my family. I met my wife there. It gave me my start in the business. It gave us so much. It would be a dream to be able to give back.”
THE CANCELLATION AND STOPS AND STARTS OF ALL MY CHILDREN REBOOTS
All My Children aired on ABC from 1970 to 2011. It got a second chance at life when Prospect Park resurrected the show and brought it to The OnLine Network and Hulu for one season in 2013.
Recently, the series made a return through the estate of Agnes Nixon and is streaming internationally on BEONDTV and through their partnership with PlutoTV Canada with episodes starting in 1995. Fans hope original episodes will some day soon be available in the U.S. as well, but that could prove more difficult since ABC owns the rights to the episodes stateside.
Now 13 years later, while there is no word yet on a definitive production start date to the two movies at Lifetime, all the people involved seemed determined to make it come to life.
So, what do you think of the executive vice-president of Lifetime and LMN being enthusiastic about Kelly and Mark’s All My Children movie revivals? Are you wanting to see this come to fruition? Kelly and Mark seem to have made this a very high priority. Do you hope that by 2027 we might be able to get this to the finish the line and into production? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Starting on May 1, All My Children fans in Canada will be able to see classic episodes of the beloved former ABC soap opera when they stream on Pluto TV Canada.
Pluto TV picked-up the All My Children Channel that the Nixon family has created in partnership with BEONDTV +. The show which aired for 41 years on ABC and ended on the network in 2011, had so many memorable storylines and characters; the least of which is the enduring run of Erica Kane played by soap icon, Susan Lucci.
As previously reported, starting with episodes from the year 1995, which was the 25th anniversary of the soap. Pluto TV Canada viewers will be able to catch 8 episodes on repeat per day. With the success of the venture, the Nixons are hopeful that they will bring viewers many more years of the show to come.
Photo: ABC
Sarah Nixon, producer, shared with Michael Fairman TV exclusively, “We are thrilled that Pluto TV has launched All My Children in Canada! Let’s hope the engagement from our incredibly loyal fans across the border will encourage ABC to bring it to the U.S.! We share what Aggie (Agnes Nixon) always felt, that it is the enthusiasm and love from the fans that has kept this legacy beloved and relevant – to this day!”
In addition, 0ne week ago, during Susan Lucci’s visit to Los Angeles promoting her book La Lucci, she was joined by her former Pine Valley castmates, Rebecca Budig (ex-Greenlee, AMC, now Taylor, B&B) and Eva LaRue (ex-Maria, AMC) and the trio posed for a pic. At that time, LaRue shared via Instagram, “NEW All My Children channel streaming classic episodes 24/7 now on Pluto TV Canada! Fingers crossed to watch soon on Pluto US.”
That was also confirmed this week by TV Watercooler’s Jeevan Brar who took to X and expressed, “The All My Children channel begins streaming this Friday, May 1 on Pluto TV Canada.
So, Canadian viewers, excited about Pluto TV’s All My Children channel? United States fans, hopeful from Sarah’s message that perhaps soon, we can see the beloved soap once again as well? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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All I know is when AMC and OLTL goes off the air my TV will turned to NBC Days of Our Lives and CBS Young and The Restless. I have no interest in watching these replacements.
When AMC goes off, I will be watching Y&TR to see many of my GH faves who have or are on their way their. In fact, I have begun recording it already. I already only have ABC on during the hours that all three soaps air. I used to watch Dr. Oz and Oprah right after, but not since this decision was made.
Before and after, I tune to another channel.
EVERYONE should boycott ALL ABC programming EXCEPT for the three soaps!
We should all boycott abc Ireally looked forward to watching these shows I will chage to another channel so all other programs on after them will also loose their ratings Ill have to see what channel 5 has to offer!!!! Thumbs down abc
The ABC soaps downturn was due to Brian Frons. They could still be viable under the right leadership.
Absolutely!
I hope Brian Frons Chokes on the Chew.
HA! I like that!
That was beautiful.
This is what america really need another food show isnt america to fat now!!!!Down with abc
Michael, why do you bother directing us to yet another ABC apologist? Why give them the press?
Here’s another take on the TV Guide story that is worth reading:
https://daytimeconfidential.zap2it.com/2011/04/25/cheap-crap-abc-daytimes-replacement-shows-to-cost-under-575000
Quoting from the above link: “As for The Revolution, that show is having to be completely retooled, because it sucked donkey balls, according to my sources. Instead of telling Frank Valentini, “Look man, I need you get the budget under $600,000 a week. I know it will be tough, but it is what it is,” ABC is going to tear apart a show that is turning out stellar episodes and is Number 3 among women 18-49, for a show that wasn’t good enough for the fall? I’m sad about AMC’s fate, but what’s being done to One Life to Live is flat out criminal.
Let’s reflect again on the many, many failed reality/talk projects Brian Frons and Co.attempted to get off the ground at SOAPnet. . . .
I don’t care how many ways they try to spin it, I’ll never be convinced it makes good business sense to allow Brian Frons to oversee the transition of ABC Daytime away from soaps to programming women are allegedly clamoring for more of. This is the man who was surprised by Kathy Brier’s success on One Life to Live because she doesn’t look like a Playboy Bunny. Guess what, neither do most American women. Now Frons wants to micromanage a weight loss reality show? Really?
We’re talking about the guy who put amazing talents like Jackie Zeman, Leslie Charleson, Catherine Hickland and countless other veteran actresses out to pasture fo no other reason than they got older. I have a question for Frons: If actresses’ freshness expires at the age of 50, what about executives? What’s good for the goose oughta be good for the micromanager. I’d say Frons is well past his sell by date.”
I agreee totally!!!!!!!!!!@
While obesity is a major health problem in the U.S. and Canada, why would we want another tv show on FOOD. There are some of us out here that prefer to watch other shows. You waste our time on Reality shows which are getting more trashy per new show. Not everyone out here watches these types of tv shows either. I am in my mid- 50’s and I am not “old”. I have watched soaps forever. Several different ones in fact. I have watched AMC since forever. It has been the one steady soap that has been on forever. I watch soaps for entertainment purposes, to get away from the real world. Not to be brought down by people fighting, arguing and thinking they are better than the rest. I do not need to watch someone else’s personal life.
I cant begin to think I want be able to see my soaps. what a sorry decisionI’M 62 you will put a gap in a lot of peoples lives
I will NOT WATCH The Talk as it replaced my much loved soap As The World Turns and I will make sure NOT to watch these new shows either. Too bad we can’t get more people to tune out these low budget, low entertainment shows. TV is going to crap!
I agree abc is turning into crap!!!!!!
abc please reconsider saving our soaps or your rating in general will fall the so willyou losse big time with this horrible sorry disgusting stupid decision
The only daytime program that I watch on ANY network is All My Children, which I dvr daily. Boo hiss ABC, Disney, and the pathetic Brian Frons. CHEW on your respective derrieres.
I have Dish Network – over 100 channels but what do I watch during the day – All My Children and One Life to Live. Your brought garbage in (Brian Frons) and he is putting garbage out. To Brian Frons: when the cast of AMC took a pay cut – did you? I bet not. ABC/Disney, you had better look at the moron you have running the show. You are losing millions of viewers. I will never watch another ABC program – EVER. I am more than happy to give my viewership to NBC or CBS. At least they don’t have idiots at the helm.
With Cheaper substitutions…more money will be put in Fron’s pocket. ABC and Disney are cancelled ..Sorry Johnny Depp!
their stupid they don’t care about their ratings they already know they stink both programs are flushed down the toilet where these turds with feet walked up from the sewer. They won’t sell the rights to our soaps cause they know both shows will not be accepted and their not I don’t watch either of them and I never will. I have tuned in elsewhere to watch soaps in the daytime. We won’t quit abc we won’t quit that alone makes us the winners and your right your all the biggest losers!
I have not watched ABC sincw the cancellation of AMC and OLTL. I do not even watch disney channels or anything that is ABC related. I got to watching CBS and now I leave my TV on that Channel during the day. I read more with the noise in the background of the TV. The soaps were a release from the strains of everyday life. My viewership used to be with ABC but now their programming is not worth watching.