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How Soaps Competed With New Programs, Timeslot Rivals, etc.


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So, I recently realized that the very day Another World expanded to 90 minutes, Karen Wolek was confessing her prostitution on One Life to Live.

Could anyone share more examples of programs bringing out the big guns in the face of new competition?

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In 65 ABC was launching a major offensive in daytime and part of that strategy was placing reruns of primetime hit Ben Casey in the 1-2 pm slot hoping viewers would not turn over at 1.30 for ATWT.

Variety reported in Nov 65 that CBS planned to stage a big wedding for David and Ellen to counter any ratings momentum Ben Casey might muster.

However,David and Ellen didn't wed till June 66. Maybe the article referred to the whole lead up to the nuptuals.

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Looking back at when Another World was highly rated in the late 60s and the 70s, it is always surprising to see the large number of shows that CBS pitted against it, yet it was still able to maintain its high ratings, including the #1 primetime series at the time All in the Family. Below are the programs that competed against AW from 1964-1999:

8 Soaps

As the World Turns- CBS

Capitol- CBS

General Hospital- ABC

Guiding Light- CBS

Love is a Many Splendored Thing- CBS

One Life to Live- ABC

Search for Tomorrow-CBS

The Secret Storm- CBS

4 Game Shows

Match Game- CBS

Tattletales- CBS

The Price is Right- CBS

To Tell the Truth-CBS

3 Sitcoms

All in the Family- CBS

M*A*S*H-CBS

One Day at a Time- CBS

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In 1999, GL was going to embark on a breast cancer storyline for Reva, but decided to go with a fantastical "Calgon-Take-Me-Away" story of Reva being a princess in San Cristobel, complete with lush, on-location shoots in Puerto Rico. This was was done to compete with the upcoming new NBC soap, Passions.

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