ABC Daytime

Daytime programming block on ABC

ABC Daytime

Industry| Television broadcast
Headquarters|

New York City, New York

United States

Key people

| Rebecca Campbell (president)
Parent| ABC Entertainment Group

ABC Daytime (sometimes shortened to ABC-D or ABCD) is a division responsible for the daytime television programming block on the ABC Network and syndicated programming. The block has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows and talk shows.

## History[edit]

This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (August 2017)

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ABC Daytime is the daytime programming division of the American Broadcasting Company (ABC) television network, which has been in operation since 1948. ABC Daytime originally began as a block of programming featuring game shows and soap operas, and it quickly became a popular destination for viewers during the daytime hours.

Brian Frons became president of ABC Daytime in 2002.[1]

* When Megan McTavish returned as Head Writer of All My Children in July 2003, she faced criticism for a story that depicted the rape of a lesbian character, Bianca Montgomery.[2] The show also faced opposition to a story of a transgender character in 2006.
* The Writers Guild of America East filed arbitration suits against ABC Daytime, claiming that they violated the strike-termination agreement by retaining replacement writers (those who choose Financial Core Status) who filled in during the strike (including Frons) on All My Children instead of bringing back the writers who had been on strike. "The strike-termination agreement does not allow the retention of replacement writers in lieu of allowing striking writers to return to their jobs. [ABC Daytime] are clearly violating this agreement," said Ira Cure, senior counsel for the Writers Guild of America, East, in a statement. "They have left us no other option but to file arbitrations to ensure that our members will be afforded their rights outlined under this agreement."[3]

In May 2006, ABC Daytime was enlarged with the addition of Soapnet and ABC Media Productions.[4] ABC Daytime was criticized by Susan Lucci for putting profits above their legacy for the 2011 cancellations of All My Children and One Life to Live in favor of lower-cost talk programming such as The Chew.[1] ABC Daytime was folded into ABC Entertainment in 2011.[5]

Times Square Studios (TSS) was created on December 2, 2011, under Vicki Dummer to oversee operations of ABC Daytime and the syndication programs[1] replacing separate daytime and syndicated units. Times Square took over ABC Daytime when Frons' employment contract ended in January 2012.[6] Except for Live with Kelly and Ryan, Times Square took over their remaining soap, all ABC syndicated and lifestyle shows.[7] On October 30, 2014, The View talk show was transferred into Lincoln Square Productions, an ABC News subsidiary, from ABC Entertainment after struggling in ratings and a change in hosts.[5]

One of the earliest and most popular shows in the ABC Daytime lineup was the game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire which debuted in 1999 and quickly became a cultural phenomenon. The show's popularity helped to revitalize ABC's daytime programming and drew in a large audience of viewers.

Another popular show in the ABC Daytime lineup was the soap opera All My Children which aired from 1970 to 2011. The show was known for its dramatic storylines, complex characters, and talented cast of actors. All My Children helped to establish ABC as a leader in daytime programming, and it won numerous awards and accolades over the years.

In addition to Who Wants to Be a Millionaire and All My Children, ABC Daytime has featured a number of other popular shows over the years, including General Hospital, The View and One Life to Live. These shows have helped to establish ABC as a leader in daytime programming, and they have attracted a large and dedicated audience of viewers.

Times Square Studios reverted to the ABC Daytime name by the time of the appointment of ABC Owned Television Station President Rebecca Campbell as president of ABC Daytime, which still contains syndication, as an additional position.[8]

## Current programs[edit]

### Talk shows[edit]

#### The View[edit]

* Debut: August 11, 1997
* Replaced program: Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends
* Taping location: New York City
* Creators: Barbara Walters, Bill Geddie
* Producing Team: Brian Teta
* Directing Team: Mark Gentile
* Current Hosts: Whoopi Goldberg (moderator), Joy Behar, Sunny Hostin, Sara Haines, Alyssa Farah Griffin and Ana Navarro

#### GMA3: What You Need to Know[edit]

* Debut: September 10, 2018
* Replaced program: The Chew
* Taping location: New York City
* Creators:
* Producing Team:
* Directing Team:
* Current Hosts: DeMarco Morgan, Eva Pilgrim and Dr. Jennifer Ashton

### Soap opera[edit]

#### General Hospital[edit]

* Debut: April 1, 1963
* Replaced program: Yours for a Song
* Taping location: Los Angeles
* Creators: Frank and Doris Hursley
* Producing Team: Frank Valentini (Executive Producer), Mercer Barrows, Michelle Henry, Mary-Kelly Weir, Jennifer Whittaker-Brogdon (Coordinating Producer), Nneka Garland (Associate Producer)
* Directing Team: Scott McKinsey, William Ludel, Phideaux Xavier, Penny Pengra, Christina Magarian Ucar, Denise Vancleave, Christine Cooper, Paul S. Glass, Craig McManus, Crystal Craft, Peter Fillmore, Dave MacLeod
* Head Writer: Shelly Altman and Chris Van Etten
* Other Writers: Anna Theresa Cascio, Katherine Schock, Christopher Whitesell, Janet Iacobuzio, Scott Sickles, Suzanne Flynn, Andrea Archer Compton, David Rupel, Elizabeth Korte
* Casting Director: Mark Teschner
* Cast: Tabyana Ali, Tajh Bellow, Maurice Benard, Steve Burton, Chad Duell, Jane Elliott, Genie Francis, Nancy Lee Grahn, Tanisha Harper, Adam J. Harrington, Rebecca Herbst, Evan Hofer, Finola Hughes, Josh Kelly, Brook Kerr, Katelyn MacMullen, Kate Mansi, Cameron Mathison, Sofia Mattsson, Giovanni Mazza, Eden McCoy, Kelly Monaco, Amanda Setton, Kirsten Storms, Josh Swickard, Donnell Turner, Kristina Wagner, Cynthia Watros, Maura West, Laura Wright, Dominic Zamprogna

## Former shows on ABC Daytime[edit]

### Soap operas[edit]

* A Flame in the Wind (retitled A Time For Us) (1964–1966)
* A World Apart (1970–1971)
* All My Children (1970–2011)
* Confidential for Women (1966)
* Dark Shadows (1966–1971)
* Loving (1983–1995)
* Never Too Young (1965–1966)
* One Life to Live (1968–2012)
* Port Charles (1997–2003)
* Ryan's Hope (1975–1989)
* The Best of Everything (1970)
* The City (1995–1997)
* The Edge of Night (1975–1984; previously on CBS 1956–1975)
* The Nurses (1965–1967)
* The Young Marrieds (1964–1966)

### Other scripted originals[edit]

* The ABC Afternoon Playbreak (specials, 1973–1975)
* ABC Afterschool Special (specials, 1972–1997)
* Angie
* Benson
* Bewitched
* The Brady Bunch
* Growing Pains
* Happy Days
* Laverne & Shirley
* The Loretta Young Show
* Love, American Style
* The Love Boat
* The New Love, American Style (1985–1986)
* Mr. Belvedere
* Perfect Strangers
* That Girl
* Three's a Crowd
* Three's Company
* Too Close for Comfort
* Webster
* Who's the Boss?

### Game shows[edit]

ABC Daytime has not had a regular daytime game show block since 1986, and has not had any daytime game shows since a revival of Match Game ended in 1991.

* The $10,000 Pyramid (1974–1976) and The $20,000 Pyramid (1976–1980; aired on CBS from 1982 to 1988; revived by ABC for primetime as The $100,000 Pyramid in 2016)
* About Faces (1960–1961)
* All-Star Blitz (1985)
* Baby Game (1968)
* Bargain Hunters (1987; replaced by Home in 1988)
* Beat the Clock (1958–1961)
* The Better Sex (1977–1978)
* The Big Showdown (1974–1975)
* Blankety Blanks (1975)
* Break the Bank (1976)
* Bruce Forsyth's Hot Streak (1986)
* Camouflage (1961–1962)
* Chance for Romance (1958)
* The Dating Game (1965–1973)
* Double Talk (1986)
* Dream House (1968–1970; aired on NBC from 1983 to 1984)
* Everybody's Talking (1967)
* Family Feud (1976–1985; currently airing in syndication; a primetime celebrity version was aired by NBC in 2008 and revived by ABC in 2015)
* Funny You Should Ask (1968–1969; revived for broadcast syndication in 2017)
* The Family Game (1967)
* Get the Message (1964)
* The Honeymoon Race (1967)
* Hot Seat (1976)
* How's Your Mother-in-Law? (1967–1968)
* Let's Make a Deal (1968–1976; currently airing on CBS)
* Match Game (1990–1991; revived by ABC for primetime in 2016)
* Missing Links (1964)
* The Money Maze (1974–1975)
* Mother's Day (1958–1959)
* Number Please (1961)
* One in a Million (game show) (1967)
* The Neighbors (1975–1976)
* The Newlywed Game (1966–1974, 1984)
* The Object Is (1963–1964)
* Pantomime Quiz (1959)
* Password (1971–1975; later aired on NBC from 1979 to 1989; Million Dollar Password aired on CBS in 2008)
* The Price is Right (1963–1965; currently airing on CBS)
* Queen for a Day (1960–1964)
* Rhyme and Reason (1975–1976)
* Second Chance (1977; revived by CBS in 1983 as Press Your Luck, which itself was revived by ABC for primetime in 2019)
* Seven Keys (1961–1964)
* Showoffs (1975)
* Split Second (1972–1975)
* Supermarket Sweep (1965–1967; revival aired on Lifetime and PAX from 1990 to 2003)
* Temptation (1967–1968)
* Trivia Trap (1984–1985)
* Who Do You Trust? (1957–1963)
* You Don't Say! (1975; later aired in syndication from 1978 to 1979)
* Yours for a Song (1961–1963)

One game show aired in syndication on the network's owned-and-operated stations:

* Who Wants To Be a Millionaire (2002–2021; 2024–present originally aired on ABC in primetime from 1999 to 2002, 2008 and 2020–2021, 2024–present; produced by Valleycrest Productions[9][10] in association with Celador until 2007, 2waytraffic until 2019, Embassy Row and Kimmelot)

### Talk shows and lifestyle programming[edit]

* Caryl & Marilyn: Real Friends (1996–1997)
* The Chew (2011–2018)
* The Children's Doctor (1967–1969)
* The Dick Cavett Show (1968–1969)
* Don McNeill's Breakfast Club (1954–1955)
* Fame, Fortune and Romance (1986–1987)
* Good Afternoon America (2012)
* Home (1988–1994)
* Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous (1986)
* Mike and Maty (1994–1996)
* The Don Ho Show (1976)
* The Liberace Show (1958–1959)
* Paul Dixon Show (1952)
* The Peter Lind Hayes Show (1958–1959)
* The Revolution (2012)

## Executives[edit]

Gail Starkey;[11] Beth Wicke;[12] Sue Johnson;[13] Barbara Bloom (Vice President of Daytime Programming: 1996–2000); Mary Burch (Director of Daytime Programming)

Name  | Title  | Years  | Notes

|
|
|

Armand Grant | President of Daytime Programming | 1960–1965
Harve Bennett | President of Daytime Programming | 1965–1967
Leonard Goldberg | President of Daytime Programming | 1967–1968
Marshall H. Karp | Vice President of Daytime Programming | 1969–1971
Michael Eisner | Vice President of Daytime Programming | 1971–1977
Jackie Smith | Vice President of Daytime Programming | 1977–1988
Jo Ann Emmerich | Vice President of Daytime Programming | 1988–1993
Patricia Fili-Krushel | President of Daytime Programming | 1993–1998 | Served until she resigned to join an internet company.[14][15][16] During her tenure, the network published the 1995 New York Times bestseller General Hospital tie-in novel Robin Scorpio[17] and debuted the General Hospital spin-off Port Charles.
Felicia Minei Behr | Vice President of Daytime Programming | 1999–2002 |
Angela Shapiro | President of Daytime Programming | 1998–2002 | The co-founder of Soap Opera Digest who had been ABC's Senior Vice President of Marketing and Promotion since 1995.[18] Assumed the position of President in 2000.[19] Called "a champion of the soap fans", Shapiro is credited with adapting the prime time series practice of "refreshers" and "previews" — recapitulation the previous episode immediately before showing the current one and previewing the next episode at the end – and applying the concept to daytime serials.[18] The idea is still in use today, and other networks have adopted it.[18] Shapiro also utilized the established interconnection of ABC's three soap operas (General Hospital, One Life to Live, and All My Children) in a bolder synergy concept designed to "entice viewers to tune into soap operas that they might not have usually watched."[18] Over the course of six months in 2000, Daytime Emmy Award-winner Linda Dano's character Rae Cummings crossover among all four ABC daytime series.[18][20] Shapiro also created ABC Super Soap Weekend, a fan event held at Walt Disney World in Florida from 1996 (the year The Walt Disney Company bought ABC) to 2008.[18] She left ABC Daytime in 2002 to head the ABC Family channel.[18]
Brian Frons | President of Daytime Programming | 8/2002–2011 | Joined in August 2002. In May 2006 Frons was promoted to President of Daytime for the newly created Walt Disney Television, an entity overseeing all ABC and Disney networks and Soapnet.[21] Cancelled All My Children and One Life to Live and replaced them with The Chew and The Revolution. In December 2011, Frons announced that he was resigning as president after nine years with the network.[22]
Vicki Dummer | Vice-President of Times Square Studios | 2011–2020 | Joined ABC in 1996. Cancelled lifestyle talk show The Revolution after less than 3 months on the air. Oversees duties of unscripted shows were transferred in 2013 to colleague Lisa Hackner, while General Hospital remains under Dummer's management.[23] Dummer was let go along with Senior Vice President of ABC Daytime, William Burton, in December 2020. No replacement was announced.[24]

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b c Kenneally, Tim (December 2, 2011). "ABC Shake-Up: Vicki Dummer's New Times Square Studios Replaces Daytime Chief Brian Frons". The Wrap.com. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
2. ^ "The Advocate: The Rape of Bianca Montgomery". Archived from the original on May 14, 2019. Retrieved May 14, 2019.
3. ^ Broadcasting & Cable: Arbitration Suit Against ABC-D
4. ^ ABC public relations (September 15, 2008). "David Stone Named Vice President, Development, Buena Vista Productions". Retrieved January 28, 2014 - via thefutoncritic.com.
5. ^ a b Setoodeh, Ramin (October 30, 2014). "ABC News Takes Over 'The View' As Ratings Dwindle". Variety. Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on August 31, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2014.
6. ^ Rice, Lynette (December 2, 2011). "Exec who canceled ABC soaps is leaving network". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
7. ^ Guthrie, Marisa (December 2, 2011). "Vicki Dummer will take over duties through a new integrated division called Times Square Studios.January 2013". Hollywood Reporter.com.
8. ^ Jessell, Harry A. (February 24, 2016). "Campbell To Oversee Daytime For ABC". TVNewsCheck. Archived from the original on August 4, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2016.
9. ^ Just, Olivia (July 3, 2014). "Disney moves filming of 'Millionaire' to Stamford". CT Post. Hearst Media Services Connecticut, LLC. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2015.
10. ^ Stelter, Brian (December 2, 2011). "Head of ABC's Daytime Programming Is Leaving". New York Times. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012. Retrieved January 11, 2013.
11. ^ "For Your Ears Only | GFEM – Media Database". Archived from the original on September 1, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
12. ^ "Catalog Navigator : Acting Program". Archived from the original on May 24, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
13. ^ "Reinventing the Deal". Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved March 6, 2013.
14. ^ Rice, Lynette (December 17, 1999). "Alpha Female". Entertainment Weekly. EW.com. Archived from the original on April 25, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
15. ^ Rice, Lynette (December 10, 1999). "On The Air: Can Soaps Float?". Entertainment Weekly. EW.com. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
16. ^ Rice, Lynette (April 14, 2000). "On The Air: Female Troubles". Entertainment Weekly. EW.com. Archived from the original on December 2, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
17. ^ Labine, Claire; Judith Pinsker (November 1995). Robin's Diary. ABC Daytime. pp. 180. ISBN 0-8019-8775-X. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
18. ^ a b c d e f g Kroll, Dan J. (April 1, 2002). "Angela Shapiro to Leave ABC Daytime Post". SoapCentral. Archived from the original on October 13, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
19. ^ Rice, Lynette; Dan Snierson (March 17, 2000). "On The Air: Fast Acting". Entertainment Weekly. EW.com. Archived from the original on November 22, 2008. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
20. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (December 29, 2003). "OLTL News: Dano's Run as ABC's Rae About to End". SoapCentral. Archived from the original on August 3, 2009. Retrieved February 19, 2009.
21. ^ Lisotta, Christopher (May 10, 2006). "Frons to Lead Daytime for Disney-ABC TV Group". TVWeek.com (Internet Archive). Archived from the original on January 1, 2007. Retrieved January 1, 2007.
22. ^ "Company Town". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 5, 2011. Retrieved December 5, 2011.
23. ^ "Lisa Hackner Joins ABC As EVP Daytime & Syndicated Programming". Deadline Magazine. October 26, 2013. Archived from the original on November 28, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
24. ^ "Vicki Dummer and William Burton Are Out at ABC, Both Veteran Executives Oversaw Daytime Programming". Soap Opera Network. December 3, 2020. Archived from the original on February 17, 2021. Retrieved March 4, 2021.

## See also[edit]

* CBS Daytime
* NBC Daytime

* v
* t
* e

Current and former Daytime television in the United States

* ABC: ABC Daytime
* CBS: CBS Daytime
* NBC: NBC Daytime
* The WB/The CW: Daytime WB/The CW Daytime

* v
* t
* e

ABC programming (current and upcoming)

Primetime|

* 20/20 (since 1978)
* 9-1-1 (since 2024)
* Abbott Elementary (since 2021)
* America's Funniest Home Videos (since 1989)
* American Idol (since 2018)
* The Bachelor (since 2002)
* The Bachelorette (2003–05; since 2008)
* Bachelor in Paradise (since 2014)
* Claim to Fame (since 2022)
* The Conners (since 2018)
* Dancing with the Stars (2005–21; since 2023)
* The Golden Bachelor (since 2023)
* The Great Christmas Light Fight (since 2013)
* Grey's Anatomy (since 2005)
* Judge Steve Harvey (since 2022)
* The Prank Panel (since 2023)
* The Rookie (since 2018)
* Shark Tank (since 2009)
* Superstar (since 2021)
* What Would You Do? (2008–20; since 2024)
* Will Trent (since 2023)

Games|

* Celebrity Family Feud (since 2015)
* Celebrity Jeopardy! (since 2022)
* Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (since 2021)
* The Chase (since 2021)
* Generation Gap (since 2022)
* Jeopardy! Masters (since 2023)
* Press Your Luck (since 2019)
* Pyramid (1974–80; since 2016)

Daytime|

* General Hospital (since 1963)
* The View (since 1997)
* GMA3: What You Need to Know (since 2018)

Late night|

* Jimmy Kimmel Live! (since 2003)
* Nightline (since 1980)

News|

* 20/20 (since 1978)
* ABC World News Tonight (since 1953)
* America This Morning (since 1982)
* Good Morning America (since 1975)
* Good Morning America Weekend (1993–1999; since 2004)
* Nightline (since 1980)
* This Week (since 1981)
* What Would You Do? (2008–20; since 2024)
* World News Now (since 1992)

Sports|

* College Football on ABC
* Saturday Night Football
* NBA on ABC
* NFL on ABC
* NHL on ABC
* WNBA on ABC

Upcoming|

* Extreme Makeover: Home Edition (2004–12; 2024)

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