Cancelled Soaps Moving Online

[largento]

I saw this story about the two soap operas that ABC is canceling continuing production on a new un-named Hulu-type video service.

 

Not that I follow soaps or have an interest in them, but this is the first time I've heard of a production being cancelled by a network and then continuing online. I know that Netflix is already working on original content for their streaming service.

 

It's possible we might be seeing a time when online video shows might be profitable.

 

I've been toying with the idea of doing a weekly animated show (still too soon to talk about it), but at best I was thinking YouTube content with possible advertising and product sales to earn money. If we start having "online networks," there might be development money available to content producers.

 

Just pondering...

[3DArtZ]

I use to work on AMC, as a cop. The show has a big, but aging following. They toyed around with moving it to prime time spots but it was just talk.

I doubt being online will save AMC but you might be right about this being the very begining of the internet taking on a new role for sure.

Mike Fitz

[Gerry]

The soaps exist in sort of a parallel universe from the one most TV shows inhabit, so it's entirely possible they may have a second life online. But I don't think this signals a general trend for migrating TV shows to the web.

[fae_alba]

I had pondered the same idea last year. My concept was more like an web based indy film festival. I think it is a viable business model. But it still comes down to content, how much can be gotten how fast to provide enough to keep people coming back.

[robcat2075]

I think you have to generate huge viewership to make money showing things on the web. Not many sites do that.

 

I don't think Hulu makes money, I don't think Youtube breaks a profit either.

 

Huffington post is profitable I think but they don't create much expensive content they just re-link to it.

[largento]

Before now, I would have agreed with you, but the younger generation is moving very easily into watching all of their content online. The cable companies are finally having to acknowledge that some of their drop in subscribers is because of it.

 

I don't think we'll be looking at the success being with "free" sites.

 

Hulu claims to be making a lot of money. Supposedly somebody has made a very large offer for their business. Netflix is clearly doing very well and has already crippled Blockbuster.

 

It is interesting.

[robcat2075]

Yes, it appears hulu makes money. They're doing it with old-school content so maybe soaps can migrate to something like that.

 

But independents like us don't appear to be part of the plan. The new media will have the old gatekeepers still controlling things.

[fae_alba]

Yes, it appears hulu makes money. They're doing it with old-school content so maybe soaps can migrate to something like that.

 

But independents like us don't appear to be part of the plan. The new media will have the old gatekeepers still controlling things.

 

You are right about indies bot being part of the Hulu, Netflix plan. That's why us indies need to band together and make our own plan! I think the younger generations (can't believe I just said that!) is very willing to accept the media, and judging by some of the crap I see on TV that passes for animation, an indy network could do quite well.

 

Consider how many animators would like to have their work shown at a film festival, but can't make the grade because most big time festivals are full of Hollywood productions muscling out the little guy. A web based network could fill that gap. With the right buzz, it has the potential of taking off (in my entrepreneur's mind).

 

Perhaps Pappa Bear Studios could fill that gap....

 

Man, I'm rambling now, gotta get out of the sun and lay off the single malt!