Where Soap Operas Rule

With networks canceling soap operas left and right, they are turning to high-profile host talk show fare to fill the daypart.  

The latest announcement comes today from CBS, who will launch a Jeff Probst (the affable and popular Emmy-winning host of Survivor), daytime talk show in the fall of 2012.

CBS Television Distribution's "Jeff Probst" is now the third talk show to be sold for next fall, with more than 55% of the country cleared, according to John Nogawski, president of CBS Television Distribution.

As reported today in the industry trade publication Broadcasting & Cable, "Jeff's vision is to create a classic talk show with news-lead in ability.  That's what the NBC stations were looking for," Nogawski said.

So, even though CBS is distributing this show, it's is being produced mostly for NBC-owned  stations, like WNBC in New York, KNBC in Los Angeles, WCAU in Philadelphia, KXAS in Dallas-Ft.Worth, KNTV in San Francisco, WTVJ in Miami, KNSD in San Diego and WVIT in Hartford.  CBS Television Distribution (CTD) is still finalizing deals for Probst in Chicago and Washington, D.C.  

What will this mean for fans of General Hospital who are petitioning NBC and Ken Corday to take on their favorite soap, should and if it gets canceled by ABC Daytime next year?  Will there even be enough room on the NBC daytime line up schedule, now that Probst is taking an hour-long time slot?
What will it mean for Days of our Lives?

Probst is not the only talker hitting daytime in 2012.  As previously reported, there's ABC's Katie Couric and NBCU's Steve Harvey.  Twentieth's Ricki Lake is also expected to get a green light. Plus, NBCU is shopping major market for Trisha Goddard and Warner Bros. is likewise shopping the Bethenny Frankel talker.   Additionally, Warner Bros. announced earlier this week that the Anderson Cooper show is picked up for season two.

If General Hospital does get canceled from ABC in 2012, and NBC is now no longer an option, it's likely that GH will head to Prospect Park's TOLN (The Online Network), along with sister soaps All My Children and One Life to Live.

Are you happy with all these talk shows?  

Probst sure is happy about his new show.  "I'm fascinated with people," he said. "And I love adventure.  I can't wait to bring these two worlds together in daytime."  Fans of Survivor fear not, as Probst will still host the popular reality show.  "The added bonus is I get to continue with Survivor in primetime," he shared.

Will you tune in to Jeff Probst's new talk show?  Never mind General Hospital not finding a new home on NBC, could Days of our Lives be threatened?  There are only so many hours in the daytime line up after all.  

Please weigh in below.

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