Here we go again, soapers! And let’s hope nobody is yanking on the chain of the soap world again! But, news out today from Variety is that Prospect Park is still looking to bring One Life to Live and All My Children online! The company still retains the licensing rights to the soap operas from ABC through September 2012 for AMC and January 2013 for OLTL.
Here is what Variety reported today: “Prospect Park, the production company that licensed digital rights to the soaps from ABC, has continued to hold meetings with other parties exploring options for keeping them going online, according to sources familiar with discussions. These talks come just weeks after Prospect Park issued a statement suggesting it was done pursuing plans to revive the soaps. Reps for the company could not be immediately reached for comment. While the discussions were characterized as preliminary, one of the options Prospect Park is said to be considering is bringing in an overseas firm to turn the shows into a co-production. That may or may not allow the shows to circumvent the unions, which couldn’t come to terms with Prospect Park on compensation for talent on both sides of the camera.
Even though Prospect Park signaled they were no longer pursuing the soaps, they still retain the digital rights that ABC licensed to them that last for a full year after those shows end on ABC. That gives the firm the ability to exercise those rights up until September 2012 for “AMC” and January 2013 for “OTL.”
In addition, Prospect Park could also still be sitting on the financing collected to fund production. It’s also notable that the company characterized its abandonment of plans as a “suspension” of their efforts in the announcement, as opposed to a final withdrawal. Sources confirmed that Prospect Park principals Jeff Kwatinetz and Rich Frank are still intent on bringing the shows to the Internet, where they would serve as the anchors for a broader online-network play.”
So what do you think? Was Prospect Park’s last minute “suspension” of OLTL, just that? Is the company trying to now “save face”, or, are they truly looking to salvage the property and see if they can strike a deal with another party to not lose the opportunity they have with the licensing rights and to bring these soaps back via their online platform? Let us know your thoughts!
Jan says: 
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