Like many ABC Daytime soap fans, I am reeling from this week’s firings of some of my favorite soap stars; but, I have not been watching Adam Chandler, Asa Buchanan, and Edward Quartermaine all these years for nothing. I know what to do when a company pisses me off: buy them!
Fantasizing about firing ABC Daytime executives is a popular parlor game among dissatisfied soap fans, but this week’s firing of popular General Hospital actor Rebecca Herbst, who portrays Elizabeth Webber, Dr. Steve Hardy’s granddaughter, has long-time fans lashing out with unusual vigor. According to Soap Opera Digest, ABC claims the ouster is "storyline dictated." Long-time soap pundit, Carolyn Hinesy patronizingly hypothesized, "soaps are a business...kids," as if our pretty, little heads cannot comprehend strategic business and economic decision-making.
Anecdotally, fans claim to be flooding the network with letters, emails, and phone calls. Passionate fan pleas on Twitter, Facebook, message boards, and podcasts call for boycotting ABC Daytime during the critical February Sweeps period. ABC Daytime has upset fans before. Doubtless, they even anticipated the usual flurry of audience backlash this time. What ABC/DISNEY absolutely does not expect is for their predominantly female audience to fight back in a way that could give them a voice in the governance and future direction of the entire company.
Disney is a publicly traded corporation, which means they answer to shareholders. Every Disney shareholder, whether they own one share or a million, has a right to attend the Annual Shareholder Meeting, vote for the Board of Directors, and receive regular updates on corporate finances and strategic, future plans. Even if a shareholder cannot attend the Annual Disney Shareholders Meeting, they are provided an opportunity to vote via proxy through mail or electronically. Every shareholder has one vote per share owned, but even with a single share, you can vote to retain or replace Board Members who share your vision for Disney/ABC.
Friday, Disney (DIS) stock closed near $40 per share. The price range for Disney stock over the past year has been between $28.71 and $40. Essentially, for less than $40, you can own a piece of ABC/DISNEY. Suddenly, you are no longer "just a soap fan" to be ignored; you are part-owner of the whole shebang.
Article comments
1 - Silas Kain
Well, it's great to see one of my best soap buddies submit a piece to BC! You know how I feel! Soap operas have served a great purpose in American society since the days of radio. While the majority in the industry would like to minimize the effect of soap opera on our culture, the truth is the daytime serial has helped shape the opinions of millions!
You are right on target. Don't boycott ABC, either buy them or find a way to get to their bottom line! As Bill Clinton used to say, "it's the economy, stupid!" American television viewers are consumers of the studio's products. It's time to have a little more accountability and accommodation between networks and their "customers"! Bravo, Spins! Great article!
2 - Emily K.
February sweeps needs to be boycotted.
Both can be done. Because both go to the bottom line.
All sweeps need to be boycotted.
But I've turned off the show for good. Mr. Frons made it clear he doesn't value the product he's selling and I'm not a customer he values. I'm giving CBS my value.
3 - 96meimei
Oh Ms. Hinesy you suck...kids.
Calling my broker today buying some stock just so I can tell them how much they make me ill.
I wouldn't watch that show again on a red, hot bet. Guza, Frons et al. dear old Walt is spinning in his grave. They are really SLOW anf I hope they reap the lowest ratings ever for this DUMB, DUMB move.
4 - Darcy
Rebecca Herbst was pushed out because of upstairs politics and favoritism..she has so much story on the table its mind-boggling not to mention the story they "refuse" to tell but I think this is a good idea. I don't know much about how to go about this never bought stock before but I'm willing to buy a few shares anything to be rid of the GH's current regime -- "The triad of destruction" has ate away at the show bit by bit to its very core...its only a shell of a once great soap. Its limping along I'm sad to see it this way but I think its by design to be rid of them altogether. Noone can be this stupid to continue this blatant disregard to undermine the show.
Thanks for the tip
5 - Rachelle
Done with the show from now on. Won't buy thier stock either, why waste my time and money on a company that doesn't value our oppinion
6 - Kimberly
This is insane. Do you realize what you are saying? Purchasing stock in a major conglomerate is not going to help you get people back on a soap opera which is just a small area of that huge corporation. People come and go on TV shows and in business. Yes it is sad but in no way is it the end of the world. Nor do I think pushing the price of stock is a way to change things.
7 - gina
i now hate abc and am not watching an abc cooking show da cooking channels are everywhere one life to live is a great soap and so is all my children its a big mistake people who love soaps will go to the other soaps
8 - Starling
Walt Disney was a union-hating POS and he would be THRILLED with Iger's tactics. He couldn't outsource American soaps to China like the cheap Disney-licensed toys, so he destroyed them for all time. If Iger lopped $10 million off his bloated compensation package, over 600 American workers could still have jobs. American jobs were destroyed so Iger could have a yacht? A ski-lodge? What does he do with the money he's stealing from the soaps?
9 - Carol
Boycott ABC and all the products that their advertisers are pushing. Hitting them in the pocketbook is what counts. Also contact ABC and tell them how you feel.
10 - Denise
ABC fans I think the reason that jackass frons is leaving ABC is his been stealing money from the network for years think about it his cancels two great soaps to save money thats because his been stealing it and how he wants to leave ABC you're getting conned big time by frons