Hoover pulls ABC ads over soap operas

New York - A Hoover executive who says his wife and mother are big fans of two soap operas cancelled by ABC says he is yanking the vacuum-makers' ads from the network in protest.

Hoover's vice president of marketing, Brian Kirkendall, announced on the company's Facebook page that the ads will be lifted on April 22, if not sooner. More than 11 000 people said they "liked" the action, many writing messages of support.

ABC announced it will be cancelling All My Children and One Life to Live, leaving General Hospital as its only soap. ABC had no comment on Tuesday on Hoover's action.

Kirkendall did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment. He wrote that Hoover is also setting up an email address for fans of the show to voice their displeasure.