Since NBC announced its intent to move forward with Passions, the network has made no secret of plans to drop one of its two lower-rated serials (Another World or Sunset Beach). Said NBC Entertainment President Scott Sassa in a statement, "I thank all the people working on Another World for an incredible job at giving their audience an amazing 35-year run. It was a very tough decision. However, these changes allow us to take a major step toward putting our shows in pattern, which is critical to our success in this daypart." Sassa told Daily Variety that "Sunset Beach seemed to have more momentum with younger viewers [than did Another World], so we went with it."
AW, which premiered on May 4, 1964, will have its last broadcast on June 25, 1999; Sunset Beach has been extended through the end of the year.
Mary Alice Dwyer-Dobbin, Executive-in-Charge of Production for Procter & Gamble Productions, which owns Another World, released the following statement:
"We have known for quite some time that NBC's decision could go either way. Although we certainly wish the outcome were different, it's a sad comment on the television industry as a whole that a soap, especially one with so much history, has to be canceled to make room for a new one. The loss of a show is a loss for the industry."
"We feel that we have made some great strides at Another World in a relatively short period of time and that given the opportunity, we would continue to show improvement. Since that is not to be, we will continue to produce the best possible show that we can until the last day that we air and we will celebrate our 35th anniversary on May 4 with great pride. In the meantime, we wish to thank our loyal fans, who have been very supportive of the show throughout its history."
Passions will debut on July 5 of this year; NBC signed a long-term contract with Days of Our Lives last fall.
By Meg McCaffrey
