SOAPnet was created in 2000 to give Daytime viewers the ability to watch time-shifted soaps, before multiplatform viewing and DVRs were part of our vocabulary. The decision to ultimately transition SOAPnet to accomplish this was not arrived at lightly. is the next step in our global preschool strategy, which began 10 years ago with the premiere of our first dedicated preschool channel in the UK. will keep readers posted on any new developments surrounding this launch.ĭisney/ABC Television Group has just announced that the popular soap opera channel SOAPnet will be replace with a 24-hour network for pre-schoolers, Disney Junior, in January 2012.Īlthough fans will have 18-months to still enjoy the soap channel the network will continue to bring the three ABC soaps All My Children, General Hospital and One Life to Live into the homes of millions, as well as still offer full-episodes on their website.ĭisney co-chair Anne Sweeney stated, “The launch of Disney Junior in the U.S.

This move could go on for years and could cost the network to have even more money issues. This in turn would mean that SOAPnet and Disney Junior would run simultaneously and be brought into homes in different areas. Those areas where SOAPnet remains will soon go dark as well when Disney finishes finalizing deals for Disney Junior.ĭeadline is reporting that over the last few weeks Disney Junior is having issues with some of its cable contracts, which has resulted in its January 2012 launch to replace SOAPnet to be pushed forward to Spring 2012. TV Guide is reporting that SOAPnet will officially be replaced by Disney Junior on March 23 in most cable and satellite homes. Please contact your current provider to find out if your area/viewing will be affected and when.

Charter will drop SOAPnet on or before December 17, as will AT&T U-verse (on or before December 31), Comcast (December), Cox (December) and Time Warner (on or before December 23). Some of the remaining networks that still carry the channel have reported intentions to cease its existence in their line-up.

Now, come December 2013 it appears as though the channel will be leaving various networks. It’s been a while since it was reported that most viewers would no longer be able to view SOAPnet.

Soap opera network on xfinity