WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, March 19, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, March 19, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
		EL TALISMAN (Univision)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
2 p.m.		INDIE SOAP BEAT (We Love Soaps)
		(Series Premiere)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family)
		(Season Finale)
		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
9 p.m.		ALCATRAZ (FOX)
		ABISMO DE PASION (Univision)
		CORAZON VALIENTE (Telemundo)
		BEING HUMAN (Syfy)
		WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW (USA)
10 p.m.		SMASH (NBC)
		RELACIONES PELIGROSAS (Telemundo)
		LA QUE NO PODIA AMAR (Univision)
		LOST GIRL (Syfy)

Remember to use the hashtag #yearofthesoap on Twitter to promote your favorite shows..

RELATED:
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 3): Promising Fall Pilots

Monday Night Ratings: SMASH Up, ALCATRAZ Steady

While some networks aired reruns on Monday, NBC's combination of THE VOICE and SMASH was strong. Below is a summary of the overnight Nielsen ratings.

NBC averaged an estimated 13.73 million viewers and an 8.1 rating/13 share for Monday primetime. ABC was second with a 5.1/8 and 7.64 million viewers, with CBS' 4.5/7 and 6.87 million viewers taking third. FOX was fourth with 5.66 million viewers and a 3.5/5. Univision was fifth at 1.7/3. The CW averaged a 0.8/1 and 1.21 million viewers. Telemundo was seventh at 0.7/1.

WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, February 20, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, February 20, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family)
		GOSSIP GIRL (CW)
		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
9 p.m.		THE LYING GAME (ABC Family)
		HART OF DIXIE (CW)
		DEGRASSI: THE NEXT GENERATION (Teen Nick)
		ALCATRAZ (FOX)
		EL TALISMAN (Univision)
		FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo)
		BEING HUMAN (Syfy)
		WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW (USA)
10 p.m.		SMASH (NBC)
		RELACIONES PELIGROSAS (Telemundo)
		LA QUE NO PODIA AMAR (Univision)
		LOST GIRL (Syfy)

Remember to use the hashtag #yearofthesoap on Twitter.

RELATED:
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 3): Promising Fall Pilots

WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, February 13, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, February 13, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)

WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, February 6, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, February 6, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
		PRETTY The Series (prettytheseries.com)

Monday Night Ratings; Record Debut For EL TALISMAN, CW Soaps Up, ALCATRAZ Down

The Monday night ratings are in and Univsion's newest telenovela, EL TALISMAN, is a huge smash. The show reached five million total viewers and generated more than 40 million Twitter impressions.

From Univsion:
Over 5 million Viewers 2+ tuned in to all or part of the Univision Network’s one-hour premiere of EL TALISMAN on Monday, January 30 at 8 p.m. ET/PT (7 p.m. Central). Last night’s premiere delivered an average audience of 3.8 million Total Viewers 2+, 2.1 million Adults 18-49 and 1.2 million Adults 18-34. In addition, the premiere generated strong social media engagement with more than 40 million impressions on Twitter, according to Radian6.

WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, January 30, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, January 30, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family)
		GOSSIP GIRL (CW)
		EL TALISMAN (Univision)
		(Series Premiere)
		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
9 p.m.		THE LYING GAME (ABC Family)
		HART OF DIXIE (CW)
		ALCATRAZ (FOX)
		FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo)
		BEING HUMAN (Syfy)
		WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW (USA)
10 p.m.		RELACIONES PELIGROSAS (Telemundo)
		LOST GIRL (Syfy)

Remember to use the hashtag #yearofthesoap on Twitter.

RELATED:
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More
- Most Fascinating People of 2011

NEWS ROUNDUP: Brad Bell Estate Hosting Two Obama Fundraisers, PBS Yanks DOWNTON Jewelry, Jessica Lowndes Video Premieres

Two Obama Hollywood Fundraisers Set for Brad Bell's Holmby Hills Estate
Barack Obama's Hollywood fundraisers have begun selling tickets to $35,800-per-person dinner for the president at the Holmby Hills estate of soap opera producer and writer Bradley Bell (co-creator, executive producer and head writer of of THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL) and his wife Colleen, according to an invitation obtained by The Hollywood Reporter.

Actor Will Ferrell and his wife Viveca Paulin are among the co-sponsors of the dinner. Event organizers are also working on a line-up of musical acts to perform on the lawn of the Bells' house for earlier in the day. Those tickets start at $250 per person.

PBS pulls DOWNTON ABBEY-inspired jewelry after show objects
A "Lady Mary knotted pearl necklace and earring set” ($184.99) and a “Lady Sybil black pearl bracelet and earring set” ($159.99) were among the accessories that ShopPBS.org took off its shopping site on Tuesday afternoon.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Katherine Kelly's Exit, Abrams on Serialization, MAD MEN Kiss, TRUE BLOOD Recast

CORONATION STREET bids farewell to Becky McDonald in fitting style
(Spoiler ahead) Katherine Kelly's much-trumpeted exit from the show aired on Monday night as Becky crashed Tracy and Steve's wedding.

"It was the build-up to that moment that was so skilfully handled as Becky crashed the pair's nuptials, raising eyebrows but lulling everybody into a false sense of security until the moment she could pounce."

ALCATRAZ's J.J. Abrams on serialization
"I can’t help but like shows that have an ongoing mythology. It’s the way life is. It’s a weird thing, to me, to feel like things are always just wrapped up completely."

Title for season premiere MAD MEN episode revealed
AMC drama's March 25 two-hour premiere is title "It's called 'A Little Kiss,'" Matt Weiner reveals. "I like the title to have some kind of synergy with the show so it will pique your interest."

WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, January 23, 2012

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, January 23, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
3 p.m.		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family)
		GOSSIP GIRL (CW)
		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
9 p.m.		THE LYING GAME (ABC Family)
		HART OF DIXIE (CW)
		(Winter Premiere)
		ALCATRAZ (FOX)
		FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo)
		BEING HUMAN (Syfy)
		WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW (USA)
10 p.m.		LA CASA DE AL LADO (Telemundo)
		LOST GIRL (Syfy)

Remember to use the hashtag #yearofthesoap on Twitter.

RELATED:
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More
- Most Fascinating People of 2011

Monday Evening Nielsen Ratings: ALCATRAZ, TERRA NOVA, GOSSIP GIRL, CASTLE, MAID, FLOR, CASA

Fox's much-hyped new drama ALCATRAZ got off to a solid start last night against tough competition, which included a surprisingly strong Betty White birthday tribute on NBC.

ALCATRAZ averaged a 3.3 adults 18-49 rating from 8 to 10 p.m., according to Nielsen, slightly better than the 3.1 TERRA NOVA logged in its premiere in the same Monday slot last fall.

WHAT TO WATCH: Monday, January 16, 2012 (New)

What's new in the world of soaps? Serialized scripted content is everywhere in 2012, The Year of the Soap, and we have your guide to the new programs airing on Monday, January 16, 2012. Daytime TV, primetime, broadcast, cable, web series, we've got it all.

NOTE: Daytime soap times may vary in some local markets.

(All times are ET)

12:30 p.m.		THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (CBS)
1 p.m.		DAYS OF OUR LIVES (NBC)
1:30 p.m.		THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (CBS)
3 p.m.		PRETTY The Series (prettytheseries.com)
		GENERAL HOSPITAL (ABC)
8 p.m.		PRETTY LITTLE LIARS (ABC Family)
		GOSSIP GIRL (CW)
		ALCATRAZ (FOX)
		(Series Premiere)
		BETTY WHITE'S 90TH BIRTHDAY (NBC)
		UNA MAID EN MANHATTAN (Telemundo)
9 p.m.		THE LYING GAME (ABC Family)
		FLOR SALVAJE (Telemundo)
		BEING HUMAN (Syfy)
		WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW (USA)
9:30 p.m.		BETTY WHITE'S OFF THEIR ROCKERS (NBC)
10 p.m.		LA CASA DE AL LADO (Telemundo)
		LOST GIRL (Syfy)

The CW is airing a repeat of HART OF DIXIE.

The new SOAPnet schedule begins today with new times for same day reruns of daytime soaps.

RELATED:
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1) 
- Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 2): DARK SHADOWS, RAGGED ISLE, DALLAS, Univision Telenovelas and More
- Most Fascinating People of 2011

Why 2012 Will Be "The Year Of The Soap" (Part 1)

We Love Soaps refuses to accept the doom and gloom trumpeted by the mainstream media about our beloved genre. Serialized stories have always been popular, all over the world. There are examples in every culture: the ancient Greeks had Homer, the ancient Chinese had their wuxia, and in Victorian times, New Yorkers mobbed the docks of lower Manhattan every time the next installment of the latest Dickensian novel came ashore. But now, they'll have us believe (probably to try and trick us into watching cheap, tacky talk shows) that all of a sudden, human nature has changed? That's absurd.

In fact, we contend that the soap genre is more popular than ever, and we have plenty of evidence to back it up. Just look at all the wonderful soapy goodness in store for us in 2012! That's why we predict that - despite what the mainstream media says - 2012 will be "The Year of the Soap". After reading our 2012 soap opera highlights, below, we think you'll agree with us: the genre is not dying, but (true to form) it's simply preparing for a dramatic, triumphant return. After all, who doesn't love a good comeback story? In 2012, the soap opera itself is poised for just that.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Households With TV Sets Declines, Child Brides, Mark Salling Injures Pelvis, Gloria Estefan

Nielsen report: TV ownership declines
Every year, the estimated number of U.S. households owning TV sets goes up. Until now.

According to Nielsen’s annual “Television Audience” report that was released this week, the number of households with a TV set will decline. The rising trend of TV ownership has been leveling off in recent years, and now the number has dropped from 115.9 million homes in 2011 to an estimated 114.7 million in 2012. That’s a 1 percent decline despite the number of households rising.

NEWS ROUNDUP: Jonathan Jackson Talks About His Exit, Tom Pelphrey Nabs Broadway Role

Jonathan Jackson Discusses His Shocking Exit From GENERAL HOSPITAL
"I was away from GH for 10 years and came back [in 2009] specifically to work with certain people. Tony Geary [Luke] was a huge reason for me to come back and so was Becky. I absolutely love working with her and love it when our characters are together romantically. Even though things have gotten crazy between Liz and Lucky over the years, there's still a deep potential for something powerful and redemptive there. So it seemed like a real no-brainer to me."

NEWS ROUNDUP: Four More Actors Sign On For Web OLTL, GLEE's "First Time", Justin Bieber

Inside the Bubble with AS THE WORLD TURNS DVD collection’s editorial director, Roger Newcomb~Part 2
More on the ATWT DVD set.

Four more ONE LIFE TO LIVE actors sign for the TOLN version of the show (pending guild agreements)
Tuc Watkins (David), Josh Kelly (Cutter), Florencia Lozano (Tea), and Shenell Edmonds (Destiny) have agreed to deals to join the network's production when it moves online.

Fox Unveils 2011-12 Primetime Schedule

FOX FALL 2011 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE

MONDAY
8:00-9:00 PM TERRA NOVA (new)
9:00-10:00 PM HOUSE

TUESDAY
8:00-9:00 PM GLEE
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL (wt) (new)
9:30-10:00 PM RAISING HOPE

WEDNESDAY
8:00-9:30 PM THE X FACTOR Performance Show (new)
9:30-10:00 PM I HATE MY TEENAGE DAUGHTER (wt) (new) - featuring Eric Sheffer Stevens

NEWS: TV Math, Daytime Ratings, NBC Pickups, ALCATRAZ

TV math, explained
Each year, a broadcast network will receive 500 pitches, which becomes 70 scripts, then 20 pilots and 4 to 8 pickups.

Daytime Soap Opera Ratings for the Week of May 2-6, 2011
Total Viewers (versus last week/versus last year)
1. Y&R 4,543,000 (-272,000/-525,000)
2. B&B 2,823,000 (-216,000/-286,000)
3. OLTL 2,498,000 (-46,000/+173,000)
4. GH 2,379,000 (-145,000/-279,000)
5. AMC 2,335,000 (-89,000/-103,000)
6. DAYS 2,239,000 (-160,000/-258,000)