"All My Children" and "One Life to Live" have been off the air since 2011 but ABC continued its legal battle with Prospect Park Networks LLC over the rights for the two soap operas. The lawsuit has finally been dismissed and ABC now holds full rights over the shows. Given these developments, loyal followers of AML and OLTL launched aggressive campaigns to bring the shows back on television.
"All My Children," "One Life To Live" Legal Drama
"All My Children" and "One Life to Live" were canceled by ABC back in 2011 due to the dwindling viewership. Prospect Park obtained the license for the two shows with plans to air the reboot on The Online Network. After seeing the large fan base for the soaps, there were rumors that ABC wanted out of the deal but Prospect Park did not allow them to. In 2013, Prospect Park filed a lawsuit claiming that ABC asked the actors in secret to sign binding contracts preventing them from appearing on the AMC and OLTL reboots.
Due to the legal drama, the characters from the soaps that were seconded to "General Hospital" had to cast off their former identities. Roger Howarth who played the role of Todd was christened Franco, Kiki replaced Kristen Alderson's Starr, and Michael Easton became Silas.
ABC's Plans For "All My Children" And "One Life To Live"
The case filed by Prospect Park against ABC was dismissed on Thursday, Dec. 1. ABC is yet to make an announcement of a reboot although some media outlets predict that the network will not put the shows back on air. There is also no news whether characters will reprise their old identities.
It is unlikely for ABC to reverse its decision to cancel the shows. However, loyal supporters of "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" are trying to petition the network to bring back the soaps. A group rallied all soap opera fans and asked for their help in increasing viewership for "General Hospital" to send a message to the network that AMC and OLTL reboots are worth investing in.
"General Hospital" is the only remaining soap opera in ABC and it has been renewed recently given the present viewership ratings.
