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.
This time slot became less favorable quickly as many stations preempted network content for more profitable syndicated programs, including nationally syndicated talk shows hosted by Mike Douglas, Merv Griffin, Dinah Shore, and Phil Donahue (primarily entertainment-focused except for Donahue's serious topics). As a result, the networks faced fewer affiliates airing network programs in this slot and eventually abandoned this practice. ABC canceled Edge of Night at the end of 1984, while CBS ended Press Your Luck production in late 1986, though occasional after-school specials continued until 1996.