Yahoo News just posted it's top searches for 2006 and Days ended up at #3 behind American Idol and Lost. I think that's pretty good and shows there is still plenty of interest in this show and daytime.

This is why I think DAYS is the 2nd most watched soap, behind Y&R obviously. Every year DAYS is the top soap on this list, which doesn't exactly prove anything but to me it shows more people are watching DAYS and daytime in general. Each week DAYS, followed very closely by GH and Y&R get the bigger bumps in the Live + Same day results. That means those 3 soaps are getting recorded the most. Add in SoapNet and I honestly believe the top 3 soaps watched are Y&R, DAYS, and GH. I also believe has a whole daytime is watched by more than 3.5 million a day. Usually only 2 maybe 3 soaps top 3.5 million viewers daily and I think that is way off.

Didn't this happen last year too?

I really think its because DAYS has way more younger viewers than the other soaps - and younger viewers are more internet-saavy and would use search engines to find daily recaps on information of the show -- bc they were probably in school and can't watch everyday. That's how most of my DAYS-watching friends are anyway.

Didn't this happen last year too?

I really think its because DAYS has way more younger viewers than the other soaps - and younger viewers are more internet-saavy and would use search engines to find daily recaps or information of the show -- bc they were probably in school and can't watch everyday. That's how most of my DAYS-watching friends are anyway.

You do bring up a good point. I just HATE the way the ratings are compiled these days, if I was an exec in daytime I would be clamoring for a new system.

You do bring up a good point. I just HATE the way the ratings are compiled these days, if I was an exec in daytime I would be clamoring for a new system.

Oh me too! I really think more people are watching soaps than what these ratings show. The ratings system is way outdated and needs major help. I don't believe for a second they are accurate.

People who record the shows don't count, right? Because they can fast-forward commercials, and the commercials are where they make their money. Makes sense, but it sucks.

People who record the shows don't count, right? Because they can fast-forward commercials, and the commercials are where they make their money. Makes sense, but it sucks.

I know Neilson now uses a DVR sample, but its such a small sample its laughable. I can't say for 100% fact but the sample is around 1,000 households. Each week DAYS, Y&R, and GH get the biggest bump from the DVR sample.

I really think its because DAYS has way more younger viewers than the other soaps - and younger viewers are more internet-saavy and would use search engines to find daily recaps on information of the show -- bc they were probably in school and can't watch everyday. That's how most of my DAYS-watching friends are anyway.

I feel that can't be ignored; in all things internet it pays to remember that it still skews young.

Yes by Yahoo is the 2nd biggest search engine in the world and the fact that DAYS was the #3 most searched tv program I think speaks VOLUMES about just how popular it is!! Especially since it was the only soap in the Top 10!

I mean it was more searched than Grey's Anatomy, Desperate Housewives and CSI...that to me is HUGE considering the former's ratings!

One unique thing about Yahoo, is that it has the more popular listservs/groups....there are a lot of yahoo forums for fan groups so it attracts more people to their search engine. That differentiates it from other search engines. So, what happens at yahoo doesn't necessarily happen across the board on all the search engines.

This is why I think DAYS is the 2nd most watched soap, behind Y&R obviously. Every year DAYS is the top soap on this list, which doesn't exactly prove anything but to me it shows more people are watching DAYS and daytime in general. Each week DAYS, followed very closely by GH and Y&R get the bigger bumps in the Live + Same day results. That means those 3 soaps are getting recorded the most. Add in SoapNet and I honestly believe the top 3 soaps watched are Y&R, DAYS, and GH. I also believe has a whole daytime is watched by more than 3.5 million a day. Usually only 2 maybe 3 soaps top 3.5 million viewers daily and I think that is way off.

Great post. The ratings system clearly is lacking. Everyone I talk to watches mostly Days, GH, and Y&R. My nephew goes to college and most people on his campus watch one or some of those three. I think thsoe three should really be the top ones and I think the ratings system misses alot of people that watch the soaps. I think the numbers for all soaps are lacking and that they would be even a little better under a system that includes some of the people that aren't counted. I do think those 3 would benefit the most from a new system

I mean Days is always high on the Yahoo list and it shows it's popularity. I also suspect that Y&R and GH searched quite a bit too.

i believe all soaps have much bigger followings than are recorded. the so-called ratings drop has more to do with the fact that viewers used to watch four or five episodes a week. now people watch two or three a week -- that's enough to warrant the "ratings drop" -- it doesn't mean people are less interested -- it's just that a) they have too many other things to do; other viewing choices; and c) other ways to keep up with their shows (hello, SON); TV Guide and all the networks have detailed recaps (although I always prefer to watch the performances). It's always interesting when a key point in a SL hits and the ratings usually bump up. That's further proof that viewers still care.