The current trend in daytime TV seems to be that soap operas are on their way out. Passions and Guiding Light have both ended in the last couple years and As the World Turns will likely wrap this fall. There are also rumors that ABC may soon end one of its soaps as well.
However, there’s some good news coming out of NBC. The network plans to keep veteran sudser Days of Our Lives on the air for another year.
Days of Our Lives has been entertaining viewers daily since 1965. The serial was created by Irna Phillips, who had her hand in creating many other soaps as well and mentored fellow soap creators Agnes Nixon and William J. Bell. The cast of the series, which famously opens with sands pouring from an hourglass, includes Alison Sweeney, Peter Reckell, Kristian Alfonso, Eric Martsolf, John Aniston, Lauren Koslow, and real life married couple Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth-Hayes.
The serial has had its share of ratings slumps, followed by ratings surges. Throughout the past decade it’s been on a fairly steady decline (as most soap operas have) but has picked up recently, besting last year’s numbers by nearly 10%. It’s currently the second most-popular serial among women 18-49.
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NBC Universal Television president Jeff Zucker stated three years ago that Days of Our Lives was unlikely to continue past 2009. In November 2008, it was renewed for a maximum of 18 months, keeping it on the air until September 2010.
Despite Zucker’s earlier prediction of its demise, NBC has now come to a new agreement with Sony Pictures TV, albeit a short-term one. NBC is agreeing to keep Days of Our Lives on for another season, until September 2011.
Of the renewal, Marc Graboff, chairman of NBC Entertainment, said, “Days of Our Lives continues to be a favorite of the daytime audience and we are thrilled to keep it going through its 45th season.” He continued, “Days has shown year-to-year increases in key female demographics and remains both relevant and fresh creatively.”
While the renewal is good news for the soap’s faithful viewers, the short term agreement certainly shows that the network still isn’t committed to keeping the drama on their daytime schedule.
What do you think? Are you surprised that NBC as renewed the soap opera? Realistically, do you think Days of Our Lives will survive past 2011?
Soap operas have sunk to a new low — as has society. Watched this faithfully since its
inception. Quit watching years ago when plot lines and morals SUNK.
Sorry for the GOOD actors who will be out of a job. But plot lines are no loss
to society.
NEVER get rid of it…..been around a LONG time that’s what makes it so great. Been watching since 1986 ish…….its now 25 yrs later….STILL watching. I think it’s great. I happened to turn on the channel one day….and stuck with it ever since. I’d probably be lost without….kinda like a 2nd family.
THAT WAS A GOOD TWIST, THE DOUBLE OF RAF? IS HE A CLONE? I THOUGHT THEY WERE GOING TO REHASH THE BASEMENT WITH JOHN (MARLENA) HUSBAND. THAT WOULD HAVE BEEN DUPLICATION AND NOT TOO GOOD.
I have watched dools since the start, when dough and julie were the young engenues, and hope was not evern born they are family to me , I cried when frances died as if she was my grandmother too. Mary Boven
I have watched Days of our Lives since day one – BUT E.J.’s abusive behavior and the way he gets away with it has become unrealistic to 2011. Someone would’ve shot him by now or he would’ve been in jail for abuse to Sammy and Nicole, plus psychological abuse to his kids. I’m turning off this show.
I have watched Days since I was a little girl. I actually hate soap operas, but I can’t seem to stop watching. Even when I have been without cable, I have read the recaps on various websites. I need to know what’s going on in Salem, and I will be disappointed (and a little lost, I’m ashamed to admit) if they were ever to cancel this show.
I really enjoy Days of our Lives and have been watching since college in the 1980s. I especially like the Christmas episode when they put their ornaments on their tree. Keep up the great storylines!
I am 25 yrs old i have been watching days since god….. just put it this way i was watching from inside the womb. Dont cancel!!!!!!!!!!! this soap wow dont cancel!!!!!!!!!
I sure hope it lasts for a very long time..not just another season..its one of my favorite shows and I can’t wait to come home and watch it off my dvr. Please don’t take it off the air anytime soon!!
Days of our lives are part of me I have been looking at it for the past twenty five years so I do hope that N.B.C. will not take it away as this is the only soap that i watch when i am busy i make sure that i tape it so please do not take it away. Marion de Castro Curacao.
Life long viewer here…and I make it a point to use every single product sponsoring the show. Take it off, and I’ll make it a point to stop using every single one of those products. In this day and age, it isn’t the fans, but the sponsors who decide what is and is not relevant viewing. So if it gets canceled, you can for sure blame those sponsors.
Support them as long as they support Days of our Lives. Stop when they stop. That’s my motto!
I have been a faithful viewer since 1966 More recently I was disapointed because you took away John and Marlana Now You have really done it sticking B o s wife in jail that is treason to break them up I am sisk of EJ . However I still Enjoy the show and hope you will continue to keep it on air I am faithful to the sponsors and try to utilize their products as much as I possiable can . NOTE This is the only soap I watch . Keep us on the air Please””’
i AM TOTALLY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE WAY THIS SHOW IS GOING. I HAVE DECIDED TO STOP WATCHING IT AND A FEW MORE BECAUSE OF THE MATERIAL AND THE BORING STORY LINE..
I HAVE BEEN WATCHING SINCE THE 70’S –NO MORE
THE WAY YOUR STORY LINE IS GOING IT MIGHT AS WELL END TODAY THE WRITERS ARE USEING STORYS FROM YEARS AGO , STEFANO GETS AWAY WITH PUTTING SOMEONE IN PLACE OF THE REAL RAF JUST LIKE HE DID WITH JOHN BLACK AND MARLANA ITS SO STUPID HOW CGENERAL HOSPITALOULD THIS MAN HAVE EVERYONE ON HIS PAYROLL ONE IN THE POLICE STATION ONE IN THE HOSPITAL ITS GETTING BOREING AND STUPID GET DIFFERANT WRITERS FOR GOD SAKES . WHY DO YOU THINK GENERAL HOSP. IS ON SO LONG THERE STORY LINE IS BELIEABLE.
I have watched days of our lives since I was a little girl with my mother who has now passed when I watch it today it makes me feel like she’s there watching it with me. I hope they never take it off the air and hope that it will still be around so if I have a little girl in the future we can watch it together like I did with my mom.
You know, I started watching Days while dorming in college (1987)…between classes as my TV only had a few channels. Next thing I knew, I had my room with about 5-6 people having lunch and watching Days. I have watched it on and off and know DVR it and catch it with my wife… Hey if spanish TV still makes soaps why can’t we continue Days. They just need to add some spice and make some more changes. Men can enjoy drama as long as it’s not happening to them, lol.