SOAPnet continued on the acquisition trail, purchasing the rights to Spelling Television series Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place from Paramount Domestic Television.
The cable-exclusive deals for the hour-long dramas extend for four years and give SOAPnet access to all seven seasons of Melrose, which the service will begin airing weeknights at 6 p.m. Sept. 13, and 10 seasons of 90210. That series will be stripped weekdays beginning in early 2005.
The shows currently run on E! Entertainment Television and FX, respectively.
The pacts with Spelling/Paramount, terms of which were undisclosed, followed a recent deal with MGM Domestic Television for Paper Dolls. That show will join the network’s “Dysfunctional Family Night” block, starting July 17 at 10 p.m.
In October, Melrosewill join that block, which includes Dallas, Dynasty and Knot’s Landing, according to network officials. 90210 will follow sometime after it begins its run next year.
