I agree, it is the time slot that makes for good ratings. I think if there was a US network soap that aired anywhere between 4-7 pm, the ratings might possibly be higher, because more people would be home to watch.

Right now, Soapnet fills the 4-7 slot with One Tree Hill and its' ilk.

They ought to try AMC, OLTL, and GH at 4, 5 and 6. Then, again as they do now Y&R, AMC, OLTL, GH, and Days sometimes) from 7-12. What I'd like to know if, with that experiment, the soaps pull in better numbers than the kiddie shows they're now airing.

Yeah but don't the affiliates own the later timeslots? No way I see the affiliates giving up timeslots that they use for news or whatever

Yeah but don't the affiliates own the later timeslots? No way I see the affiliates giving up timeslots that they use for news or whatever

On the affiliates you are right. This can only work on Soapnet or another cable network.

Edited July 18, 200817 yr by MarkH

All soaps in Greece are shown in the late afternoon/early evening and have thus enjoyed close-to-primetime numbers.

All soaps in Greece are shown in the late afternoon/early evening and have thus enjoyed close-to-primetime numbers.

I love your pics.

Yes, I think the world proves this later timeslot works. What I don't know is if it is CULTURAL (i.e., in other lands the family sits down together) or if it really just is the timeslot.

I love your pics.

Yes, I think the world proves this later timeslot works. What I don't know is if it is CULTURAL (i.e., in other lands the family sits down together) or if it really just is the timeslot.

Thank you. I think that's one of Jess Walton's most breathtaking looks/appearances ever.

Well, there is a huge stigma with soaps in the States, despite the fact that half the primetime shows out there are soaps, enjoying even top 10 status.

Edited July 20, 200817 yr by YRBB

The pdf shows that it beat the Canadian Idol Results show. The actual Performance show did better

The pdf shows that it beat the Canadian Idol Results show. The actual Performance show did better

The thing that is remarkable is that Y&R hit the top 20 of ALL shows...and that it regularly does.

We can't say the Canadian cable universe is that much less littered than the US now...they get LOTS of specialty channels. But still, Y&R is a powerhouse.

I feel there are lessons to be learned there...I just don't know what

Fully support a move of all soaps from a lunch/early afternoon slot to a late afternoon/early evening slot.

It's not just Canada. Practically every country on earth shows their soaps between 4-8pm. Australia, UK, France, Italy, Russia, India... I don't count Brazil because that soap-mad nation shows soaps around the clock 24/7.

Ehm, no. In Sweden, Denmark and Norway DAYS is on around the same time as in the US (in Sweden: 12.50 pm and a re-run at 9.50 am). During the short time Y&R was on the last time around it was aired in the morning before the DAYS re-run.

B&B was on early afternoon in Sweden before too. It's just during the last couple of years it's been around 5 pm (5.35 pm with a re-run at 11.25 am), but it moved to a channel which isn't a standard on cable. So a lot of people don't get o watch it anymore. In the 90's it used to air around 5 pm though.

B&B airs at 4.30 in Australia and has so for years and reaches a lot more viewers than Days which airs at 2.00 in the afternoon.

Neigbours airs at 6.30 and Home and Away at 7.00 pm.

The thing is, US TV execs are ashamed of the soap genre, while in other countries soap operas are the most watched shows and have the best wriitng, acting and production values; they're given the best timeslots and lots of promotion, the TV execs are determined to make the genre thrive...whereas in the US, it's a genre they seemingly want to kill (especially the P&G shows and NBC)

The thing is, US TV execs are ashamed of the soap genre, while in other countries soap operas are the most watched shows and have the best wriitng, acting and production values; they're given the best timeslots and lots of promotion, the TV execs are determined to make the genre thrive...whereas in the US, it's a genre they seemingly want to kill (especially the P&G shows and NBC)

It seems that way in a lot of cases. I think in the UK, for example, the execs realize that soaps are about entertainment and want to present an exciting and enjoyable product. All ages watch and, as a result, the ad revenues come flooding in. Here, TIIC appear to be stuck wringing their hands of Daytime's "coolness" and teen-friendly factors. They are ashamed of the genre, plain and simple.

P.s.: I *LOVE* your banner.

Edited July 21, 200817 yr by Cat