However, this time slot had also quickly become unfavorable as many stations chose to preempt network offerings in favor of more lucrative syndicated programs during this time, including nationally syndicated talk shows hosted by Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore and Phil Donahue (all of which were primarily entertainment-focused with the exception of Donahue's which focused on serious subject matters including politics and cultural issues). As a result, the networks were faced with increasingly fewer affiliates airing network programs in this time slot and eventually abandoned this practice, with ABC canceling the soap opera Edge of Night at the end of 1984 and CBS ending production on Press Your Luck in the late summer of 1986, while the networks still continued to program occasional afterschool specials for children until 1996.
However, this time slot had also rapidly become less advantageous as numerous stations opted to interrupt network content in favor of more profitable syndicated programs during this period, including nationally syndicated talk shows hosted by Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, and Phil Donahue (all primarily entertainment-focused except for Donahue's which covered serious topics such as politics and cultural issues). Consequently, the networks found themselves with fewer affiliates airing network programs in this time slot and eventually discontinued this practice. ABC ended the soap opera Edge of Night at the end of 1984, while CBS ceased production on Press Your Luck in late summer 1986, though the networks continued to schedule occasional after-school specials for children until 1996.