I don't see Eastenders getting the chop because of it being BBC's only soap I do think ITV might get rid of either CS or ED.

ITV will NEVER get rid of Coronation Street, but I do think Emmerdale is going to find itself in trouble in a few years time.

I do think ITV will cut down to one soap or keep both but cut the episodes to maybe 2 or 3 times a week.

I don't think they're in any danger of dying off in the immediate future, but it's up to the people behind the scenes to make sure they maintain their appeal as viewing habits and trends changes. For me, the days of disasters and big stunts every five minutes needs to die down and go back to working on building solid characters, before they all burn themselves out. It still baffles me that how in the age of reality television, the soaps felt like they needed to constantly rely on stunts to entice people in, when surely good characterisation and suitable stories for that character would be enough to keep most people interested. They've remained the most watched programmes over the last decade as people adjusted to digital and on demand television, so if the people behind the scenes stay one step ahead and spot when it's appropriate to change tack, I don't think there's any reason why they shouldn't still be going strong in a decade's time.

Do you think there will be more imported soaps or less as they struggle in their homeland?

Because I think it might still be on in ten years time. After that, who knows. Just have an inkling there is no new stories to be shared and the Beeb could axe it.


Tokenism doesn't come into this. Otherwise Channel 5 wouldn't have axed Family Affairs, even if it's ratings were poor. Eastenders now is a bit like watching Brookside post-1995 -- you get the odd good episodes, but the storylines aren't as good as it once was. The characters aren't interesting. Arranging deck chairs and Titanic spring to mind when I watch it, or Corrie these days for that matter.

But yes you are right about Emmerdale Farm. ITV could axe a few episodes.

I really do think ED could go to 3 times a week and just half hour episodes unless it's a major storyline. And then CS go down to the same as well.

I disagree i Don't know where your getting your information from. I think people watch to much TV these days compared to 10 years ago especially kids these days. Next you'll be telling me that the UK don't have an obesity problem 😏

I also think that in terms of the tv jungle that each soap is losing some of its distinctivenrss.Individual soaps have not lost their unique selling point but their unique selling points are in my imo being diluted in strength.I believe this diminishing of the uniqueness is a factor in their decline.

His info comes from official stats. 15 years ago an episode of Corrie would get 18 million viewers alone these days only 20 million at actually watching TV on an evening yet despite the decline its still the soaps that garner the highest audience shares.

That's not true. Back in 2007, EastEnders was around 7 to 9m, Coronation Street 9 to 11m and Emmerdale was capable of 8m+. Not to mention EE and Corrie were still hitting 40/45% share.

Hardly comparable to a time where 8 million is seen as a resounding success.

Do you agree with the broad thrust of what Russell said?Whats your take on the issue?

It's interesting to note that currently soaps occupy a higher share of primetime tv than they've ever done before.
And still consistently outrate most other primetime tv shows.

TV schedulers will still have to fill their airtime - even in 10 years time.

Obviously it's completely absurd and useless comparing 2014 audiences to those of a time where there were no more than 4 main channels (aka the 1980s) and, yes, of course ever advancing technology is accountable for dwindling viewing figures but that's it - partly. I thoroughly agree that generally poor quality and an excessive amount of episodes per week is another contributing factor... so the soaps do need to watch it. they're not what they were.

Wasn't denying the availability/technology thing, just pointing out that all soaps were doing much better in 2007 than now (as opposed to what the other poster said).

Oh I agree fully.Even when you take into account people watching in other ways the figures are down.Their bigger dominance in the past was really down in large measure to the limited number of channels.I do think the metaphor kulling the goose that lays the golden egg is apt and true in this situation.