NEW YORK (PIX11)— 
In what will change the face of daytime television forever, ABC announced the cancellations of long-running soaps "All My Children" and "One Life To Live."

In a statement released Thursday, the network said it will replace the two historic soap operas with two lifestyle shows.

After 41 years on the air, "AMC" will end its run this September while "OLTL" goes off the air in January 2012.

The shocking cancellations will make room for two new shows, "The Chew" and "The Revolution." The network describes the new lineup as a new opportunity that will include "more programming that is informative and authentic and centers on transformation, food and lifestyle -- cornerstones of programming that resonates with daytime viewers as evidenced by the success of The View."

ABC Daytime President Brian Frons said the programming shift is bittersweet.

"We are taking this bold step to expand our business because viewers are looking for different types of programming these days," Frons said in a statement.

"General Hospital," the network's prized possession in the soap genre will not be immediately affected by the changes.

Thursday's announcement drew shock and sadness from fans across Twitter and Facebook.

"I've been watching AMC and OLTL since I can remember," soap fan Mercy Robayo tweeted. "This seems very unreal to me. Its strange to feel this way about a TV show, but I feel as if its a death in the family - someone or thing thats always been there - no longer there."

Since its inception, "AMC" has featured Susan Lucci as the scandalous Erica Kane, one of daytime's most legendary characters. The character made Lucci a household name and garnered her over 20 Emmy nominations with one win. Her consecutive losing streak generated headlines every year during award season.

Lucci took to her Twitter account Thursday, telling fans she was devastated about the news.

"It saddens me that All My Children is canceled. I've loved playing Erica Kane and working with Agnes Nixon & the incredible people at AMC," the actress tweeted.