ABC licenses soaps 'All My Children' and 'One Life to Live' to Prospect Park

Exclusive multi-year, multi-platform deal allow the soaps' stories to continue beyond their final airdates on ABC

ABC has licensed its iconic soaps, "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" to Prospect Park. The exclusive multi-year, multi-platform deal enables the soaps' stories to continue beyond their finale dates on ABC. ABC will broadcast its final episode of "All My Children" on Friday, Sept. 23, and will air the final episode of "One Life to Live" in January 2012.

The licensing agreement, brokered by Disney/ABC Domestic Television Group, enables Prospect Park to continue production of "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" beyond their life on ABC. Prospect Park will produce and deliver the two long-running programs to consumers via online formats and additional emerging platforms, including Internet-enabled television sets. Under the terms of the arrangement, the programs will continue to be delivered with the same quality and in the same format and length. Additional details of the new productions and tune-in will be forthcoming from Prospect Park.

The announcement was made Thursday by Brian Frons, president, daytime, Disney/ABC Television Group, and Janice Marinelli, president, Disney/ABC Domestic Television, as well as Rich Frank and Jeff Kwatinetz of Prospect Park.

"We are privileged to continue the legacy of two of the greatest programs to air on daytime television, and are committed to delivering the storylines, 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," said Frank and Kwatinetz. "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. The driving force in making the switch and attracting new audiences is to have outstanding programs that people want to watch. We believe that by continuing to produce the shows in their current hour format and with the same quality, viewers will follow the show to our new, online network."

Prospect Park is a media and production company founded in 2009 by entertainment industry veterans  Kwatinetz and former Disney Studios head Frank. Along with successful film and music divisions, the company's television group has numerous shows in development and breakout network hits airing, including "Royal Pains" and "Wilfred."

In April, ABC announced that it was expanding the focus of its daytime lineup to include more programming that is informative and authentic and centers on transformation, food and lifestyle. "The Chew," an innovative and groundbreaking daily talk show that celebrates and explores life through food, will premiere on Sept. 26. "The Revolution," a daily show about health and lifestyle transformations, will replace "One Life to Live" in January 2012.