The sands will keep slipping through the hourglass on NBC. The network has renewed Days of Our Lives, their low-rated soap opera, for another season. This will keep the soap on the air through its 48th season.

In addition, the 12,000th episode will air on Friday, January 11th.

Here’s the press release:

AS ‘DAYS OF OUR LIVES’ CELEBRATES ITS 12,000th EPISODE THIS WEEK, NBC RENEWS THE ICONIC DAYTIME DRAMA THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2014

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. – January 09, 2013 – On the heels of celebrating its 12,000th episode, NBC has extended its long-running daytime drama “Days of our Lives” for an additional year, taking the show through September 2014 and past its 48th year anniversary in November 2013. The extension was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. The 12,000th episode will air this Friday, January 11.

“We are thrilled to announce that “Days of our Lives” is not going anywhere. It is NBC’s longest-running drama series by far and is one of the most historic brands in television,” said Salke. “We commend Ken Corday and the entire creative team on continuing to keep the stories and characters fresh, exciting and relevant year after year.”

“‘Days of our Lives’ has maintained a loyal and dedicated fan base for more than four decades and continues to reach a new generation of viewers,” said Steve Mosko, President, Sony Pictures Television. “We appreciate NBC’s support over the years and, as the show celebrates this significant milestone, we are thrilled that the show will continue to be a part of the NBC family.”

Executive producer Ken Corday follows in the tradition of his parents, Betty and Ted Corday, who co-created “Days of our Lives” and helmed the series for many years.

“After so many years in the homes and hearts of our loyal fans, I’m both humbled and elated to say it’s 2013 and we’re still going strong,” said Corday. “I am equally proud that the sense of family which my mom and dad established in our show 48 years ago, is still what drives it today. As we celebrate our 12,000th episode with an amazing cast and great support from our network, we look forward to what’s yet to come!”

In the 12,000th episode, Sami (played by Alison Sweeney, who coincidentally celebrates her 20-year anniversary on “Days” this week) and Rafe (Galen Gering) start getting close again. Chloe (Nadia Bjorlin) finds an ally in her quest to win Daniel (Shawn Christian) away from Jennifer (Melissa Reeves). Meanwhile, Gabi (Camila Banus) prepares to marry Nick (Blake Berris) while carrying the baby of Will (Daytime Emmy winner Chandler Massey). All three continue to struggle with what role Will should play in the baby’s life. Before the episode’s end, someone throws a huge wrench into the wedding proceedings.

“Days of our Lives” (Monday-Friday, 1-2 p.m. ET) first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later.

In its 47-plus years, “Days of our Lives” has garnered 215 Daytime Emmy nominations and 32 wins, including a recent Emmy win for Outstanding Writing as well as a GLAAD Award win for Outstanding Daily Drama. The show’s success derives from its consistent commitment to excellence in writing and storytelling — supported by a diverse ensemble of performers — and an uncanny knack for anticipating viewer interests. “Days” is set in the fictitious midwestern town of Salem. The core families are the Bradys, the Hortons and the DiMeras. The multi-layered storylines involve elements of romance, adventure, mystery, comedy and drama.

“Days of our Lives” is produced by Corday Productions Inc. in association with Sony Pictures Television. Ken Corday is executive producer with co-executive producers Greg Meng and Lisa De Cazotte. Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell are the head writers.

What do you think? Are you a fan of Days of Our Lives on NBC? Are you glad that it’s been renewed or do you think it should have been cancelled instead?