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The online revival of cancelled ABC daytime dramas
All My Children and
One Life To Live is officially just months away. Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz’s
Prospect Park
today announced a distribution agreement with Hulu and iTunes that will
bring the soaps to fans beginning this Spring. New 30-minute episodes
will be introduced each weekday They’ll be available on the free
Hulu.com service as well as subscription-based Hulu Plus and iTunes for
viewing on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV, Mac or PC. “I believe
that both Hulu and iTunes have the vision, the reach and the technology
to help us launch TOLN in a significant way,” Prospect Park Chairman and
CEO Jeff Kwatinetz said in a statement. “We think these platforms are
part of history, helping us to transform distribution”. Prospect Park
recently cleared the last major hurdle for the soaps’ online revival,
reaching agreements with SAG-AFTRA, WGA, and DGA. The company also closed its financing with ABRY Partners and has entered into a consulting agreement with
All My Children and
One Life To Live creator Agnes Nixon. Prospect Park also recently announced
more deals with cast members and production executives. You can read today’s release below:
Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY –
January 25, 2013 – In a groundbreaking move that brings premium
first-run, broadcast-quality programming to a mass-market audience via
the internet, Prospect Park’s The Online Network (TOLN) announced today
that the Company has reached an agreement with Hulu and the iTunes Store
to distribute all-new episodes of “All My Children” and “One Life to
Live.” Through the Hulu distribution agreement, the hugely popular daily
dramas will reach tens of millions of fans via the free Hulu.com
service, as well as millions of Hulu Plus subscribers watching on
connected TVs, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. iTunes customers can
enjoy viewing on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV and their Mac or PC.
The announcement was made today by Prospect Park Chairman and CEO, Jeff
Kwatinetz.
“I believe that both Hulu and iTunes have the vision, the reach and
the technology to help us launch TOLN in a significant way,” Kwatinetz
said. “We think these platforms are part of history, helping us to
transform distribution. Hulu’s reach, platform and advertising prowess
are best in class, and iTunes provides an incredible way to buy TV shows
that is second to none. Through both of these partners, we hope daytime
drama fans are absolutely delighted to be able to watch their favorite
programs in a broadcast-quality HD format wherever and whenever they
want.”
Separately, Prospect Park has closed its financing with ABRY
Partners, one of the most experienced and successful media-focused
private equity investment firms in North America. Since 1989, ABRY has
completed over $36 billion in leveraged transactions and other private
equity investments involving approximately 450 properties.
Brent Stone, a partner at ABRY Partners, stated, “We are excited to
be partnering with Jeff Kwatinetz and the rest of the team at Prospect
Park, and we strongly believe that they will continue to be a leader in
their innovative approach to content creation.”
Kwatinetz continued, “We are privileged to the have the backing and
partnership with Brent and his team at ABRY, who are proven, brilliant
investors, and will help us reach our ultimate goals.”
Starting this spring, viewers can stream the beloved serial dramas
“All My Children” and “One Life to Live” on the free Hulu.com service
and the Hulu Plus subscription service. New 30-minute episodes of “All
My Children” and “One Life to Live” will be introduced each weekday.
This innovative content deal will re-introduce these venerable daytime
hits in a new format perfect for the viewing habits of the digital
generation. Prospect Park and TOLN plan to blend new themes, fresh stars
and youthful energy with the familiar actors and writers who made these
shows must-watch afternoon viewing for legions of loyal fans.
The agreement with Hulu also allows brands and marketers to connect
with a highly desirable and engaged audience. Hulu will manage the
advertising sales for both shows, and package integrated sponsorship
opportunities. TOLN will also offer ecommerce and other digital
marketing programs to brands and entities looking to tap into Hulu’s
mass market demographic. Additionally, Hulu will promote both series
across its subscription and free-to-view platforms.
Under the leadership of Kwatinetz and Rich Frank, Prospect Park in
2011 forged a multi-year, multi-platform licensing agreement with
Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group to continue production of “All My
Children” and “One Life to Live.” Prospect Park has also entered into a
consulting agreement with Agnes Nixon, the creator of both series,
guaranteeing her active involvement in their continued production. “All
My Children” and “One Life to Live” ended their runs on ABC Television
in September, 2011 and January, 2012, respectively.
Earlier in this month, Prospect Park announced guild agreements with
Hollywood’s major labor groups, the Screen Actors Guild and the American
Federation of Television and Radio Artists, and the Directors Guild of
America. The company also finalized a deal with the Writer’s Guild of
America.
TONY!!!! This is amazing stuff!!! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU :-D can't wait
ReplyDeleteNP and right i also cant wait so excited
ReplyDelete