Daytime soaps now face the greatest threat of cancellation than ever before. At the time this program was broadcast, there were 14 daytime serials spread across the three major networks (ABC, CBS & NBC)......
Today only six survive. With "AMC" & "OLTL" hovering in the balance, this decade will determine just how long this genre has left on the air. If the trend continues with viewing figures continuing to decline, I don't imagine that soaps will survive much beyond the decade after......
Women don't like to be put down on soaps? Maybe in 1975! If only Agnes knew what was coming - reformed rapists becoming heroes, let alone the 21st century General Hospital (an advertisement for misogyny all by itself).
No, sadly, I think that there will be no new soap operas produced on network television. Ive heard that NBC is going to be cancelling its very last show, and of course Guiding Light is leaving in September :(
I don't think ATWT will be around for much longer either, given their terrible ratings and the fact that, by all reports, P&G is anxious to get out of the soap business. Pretty soon CBS will have Y&R and B&B, ABC will have a AMC and GH, and that will pretty much be it...sad.
If NBC cancels "Days Of Our Lives," that will mean all that remains on the Peacock Network's daytime roster are four hours of "Today," another program which has deteriorated in the last few decades, comparted to its peak period with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters, when the show was more news-based (no lightweight, fluff segments, or concerts in Rockefeller Plaaza in those days).
@gymnastix That is so true. I still watch "Today", but only for about 45 minutes. A four hour news show? It's too much fluff on there. By 9:00 am, its a bunch of nonesense, and don't get me started on the 10:00 slot with Hoda and Kathie Lee bullshit. "DOOL" is still gaining back viewership, which is good, but NBC really needs to re-build their daytime line up. I wish there were more interesting soaps, and game shows on.
This is the BEST soap based clip I've ever seen on youtube--thank you! (they discuss this interview in the great book All Her Children by Dan Wakefield)
AMC and OLTL gone. Unbelievable when you watch this. Life marches on doesn't it?
calalilygirl 3 months ago
All these old vintage soaps should come back on cable like the old movies.
calalilygirl 3 months ago
I loved 70's
calalilygirl 3 months ago
The period of the glory days of soaps. This is a precious piece of history.
calalilygirl 3 months ago
Daytime soaps now face the greatest threat of cancellation than ever before. At the time this program was broadcast, there were 14 daytime serials spread across the three major networks (ABC, CBS & NBC)......
Today only six survive. With "AMC" & "OLTL" hovering in the balance, this decade will determine just how long this genre has left on the air. If the trend continues with viewing figures continuing to decline, I don't imagine that soaps will survive much beyond the decade after......
woohooboy 1 year ago 2
@woohooboy Agreed
calalilygirl 3 months ago
Women don't like to be put down on soaps? Maybe in 1975! If only Agnes knew what was coming - reformed rapists becoming heroes, let alone the 21st century General Hospital (an advertisement for misogyny all by itself).
Oakdalian 1 year ago 2
Days of our Lives-- it may very well be just a rumor, but I wouldnt be too surprised to see it go.
bldali 2 years ago
No, sadly, I think that there will be no new soap operas produced on network television. Ive heard that NBC is going to be cancelling its very last show, and of course Guiding Light is leaving in September :(
bldali 2 years ago
I don't think ATWT will be around for much longer either, given their terrible ratings and the fact that, by all reports, P&G is anxious to get out of the soap business. Pretty soon CBS will have Y&R and B&B, ABC will have a AMC and GH, and that will pretty much be it...sad.
mthivier 2 years ago 6
What show will NBC be cancelling?
TIPTON340 2 years ago
If NBC cancels "Days Of Our Lives," that will mean all that remains on the Peacock Network's daytime roster are four hours of "Today," another program which has deteriorated in the last few decades, comparted to its peak period with Hugh Downs and Barbara Walters, when the show was more news-based (no lightweight, fluff segments, or concerts in Rockefeller Plaaza in those days).
gymnastix 1 year ago 2
@gymnastix -- Days will probably be on for a while
longer as long as expenses are controlled. But
DAYS is gaining audience numbers. I think the
next soap to go will be OLTL since it will be at the
bottom after ATWT ends.
TIPTON340 1 year ago
@gymnastix That is so true. I still watch "Today", but only for about 45 minutes. A four hour news show? It's too much fluff on there. By 9:00 am, its a bunch of nonesense, and don't get me started on the 10:00 slot with Hoda and Kathie Lee bullshit. "DOOL" is still gaining back viewership, which is good, but NBC really needs to re-build their daytime line up. I wish there were more interesting soaps, and game shows on.
coolwafferman 1 year ago 2
This is the BEST soap based clip I've ever seen on youtube--thank you! (they discuss this interview in the great book All Her Children by Dan Wakefield)
EricMontreal22 2 years ago 8
Do you think a soap opera that has the look and feel of one of the 70's could succeed today? Or would it be deemed too 'old'?
adelgado75 2 years ago
I think it would be alright.
However, folks today are so fast paced, and
networks don't want to invest the time anymore.
kxx46 2 years ago
@adelgado75 I think it would work.
Moionfire 2 months ago