ABC says it has licensed "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" in a deal that will give the recently canceled U.S. soaps new homes online.
The announcement was made Thursday by Brian Frons, president of daytime at Disney/ABC Television Group, Janice Marinelli, president of Disney/ABC domestic television, and Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park, the company that will continue airing the shows.
The exclusive multiyear, multiplatform deal enables the soaps' stories to continue beyond their finale dates on ABC, the network said.
ABC will broadcast its final episode of "All My Children" Sept. 23 and will air the finale of "One Life to Live" in January 2012.
The licensing agreement enables Prospect Park to continue production of "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" beyond their lives on ABC. The dramas will run via online formats and additional emerging platforms including Internet enabled television sets.
"We are privileged to continue the legacy of two of the greatest programs to air on daytime television, and are committed to delivering the story lines, characters and quality that audiences have come to love for over 40 years. 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' are television icons, and we are looking forward to providing anytime, anywhere viewing to their loyal community of millions," Frank and Kwatinetz said in a statement. "Technology changes the way the public can and will view television shows. Now that there are so many devices available in addition to television sets, viewers are taking advantage of watching shows wherever they are and on any number of devices."
"I'm just so happy that ABC found a home where the legacies of 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' can continue. I'm excited for their future with Prospect Park," added Agnes Nixon, creator of both "All My Children" and "One Life to Live." "I also am so happy for our loyal fans, whom we love so much, and who have been so supportive over the last 40 plus years."
The shows' producers did not say which cast members were expected to stay with the series when they make the move online.