SoapNet, a U.S. cable and satellite network broadcasting to 41 million households, has bought the first season of the hockey drama MVP: The Secret Lives of Hockey Wives.

MVP's first season was screened on CBC Television beginning this January, but was not renewed for the fall schedule because it was a ratings disappointment.

MVP stars, from left, Dillon Casey, Kristin Booth, Lucas Bryant, Peter Miller and Deborah Odell.
(CBC)

The series, starring Lucas Bryant, Dillon Casey and Anastasia Phillips, centres on the lives and loves of  a fictional hockey team, the Canadian Mustangs.

SoapNet, owned by Walt Disney Co. and a sister network to ABC, will begin airing the 10-episode drama on June 19.

"This is the first time we are going to have a primetime soap with real primetime production values," Brian Frons, president of daytime programming at Disney-ABC, told the Hollywood Reporter.

The story of women with hot men who lead lives of instant wealth, excess and tabloid celebrity are a kind of "wish fulfilment" for SoapNet viewers, Frons said.

SoapNet, which began broadcasting in 2000 with classic soaps and mini-series such as Dallas and Dynasty, is now trying to broaden its definition of soaps.

It has added new programs such as The O.C. and One Tree Hill to its lineup to cultivate a younger female audience.

MVP is produced by Toronto-based Screen Door Inc.