Are the soaps losing their appeal?

I don’t watch any soaps and haven’t for years. Corrie used to be my go to but once it lost its humour I stopped. Tried again a few years later but murder, drugs, affairs poor acting, terrible story lines and acting no thanks. Tried Eastenders which I thought was even worse. Each too their own.

Never considered Drs,hollyoaks, as soaps, so never watched them. I used to watch casualty& holby city but went off them when it was made like cinematic- they're more a drama anyway,not a soap.Missed some soaps when was ill in hosp and caught up with Eastenders& Emmerdale when i was home& recouperating but never bothered with corrie for months as it had got boring, but realised id have to catch up when they were putting on Corridale,and without seeing corrie it would make no sense on Emmerdale afterwards- but the storylines on those have become a bit far- fetched for a small street/village,apart from the very well acted Todds abuse storyline.The corridale episode was good acting but why cant the actors put so much effort into the usual episodes as well.

We gave up tv in 2020. We were fed up with the constant propaganda and brainwashing from the soaps through dramas to the news. E realised we turned it on as habit and background noise rather than wanting to watch. There are a few things I miss but not enough to go back. I reckon a large number of people who also cancelled the licence were long term soaps fans. Do they learn? No. As far as I can see they’re still into brainwashing and mind control.

The Archers is still going strong.

When I read the first sentence I thought you were talking about soap v shower gel. As someone who always and still uses soap I was going to mention the one I use! Reading on, I realised not! I went cold turkey on watching soaps on tv about 15 years ago and have never looked back. I now spend this time learning new skills (mainly sewing and crafting) and loving all that I have learned. p.s. I have the softest of skin as the soap I use is organic (I’ve never used shower gel!)

I’ve lost interest in a lot of tv. I love Call the Midwife, I also still enjoy The Apprentice and competition type programmes. Soaps however, not interested.

I used to watch Corrie and i followed Emmerdale from the very first episode. I was never keen on th3 australian ones apart from one, does anyone else remember The Sullivans.
I watched it when my youngest came home from nursery school.

I've watched Corrie for years. Some breaks in between though when I've been fed up with some of the story lines. It could do with a bit of humour. I still can't take to the new family running the pub.
Emmerdale for years as well. Going back to when it was mostly Annie Sugden and family when it was called Emmerdale Farm.

I used to watch Coronation Street but the storyline became more and more unbelievable and I simply can't be bothered now. Eastenders is even less believable and I've never been interested. As JaneJudge said, these stories were so far fetched that I just couldn't be bothered to keep up with them.
I enjoyed Holby City but that ended.
There are so many good American series now on Netflix such as the Lincoln Lawyer, and also British ones such as Berlin Station on ITVX. There are also old detective dramas on all the streamed services such as BBC iPlayer and ITVX.

Fallingstar

I think Netflix and Prime video have taken over from soaps, with people able to binge watch serials rather than waiting a day for the next episode.

Totally agree. I was an avid soap watcher for decades, which dwindled gradually until some years ago I was only watching Corrie regularly, but around 2 years ago when we wee able to watch programmes on demand and series back to back, I just stopped. I know haven’t watched a soap for 2 years, preferring to binge watch the programmes I choose, when I choose. Much preferred. It is sad in a way as I used to chat to a lady in the USA and discuss the goings on in Corrie which she watched over there. We still chat regularly, we are in the same business, However she is sad we no longer talk Corrie goings on!

I gave up on them years ago. The last time I watched Corrie Elsie Tanner got in a taxi and said " bye bye Coronation Street"

Granmarderby10

I must have been a bit thick because I was never aware of soaps being a vehicle for topical issues years back. That is trying too hard imo.

We did have good actual tv documentaries though for that.
Ones we could trust, no AI, no bias.

I remembere Hayley in Corrie being trans, the gay couple in Eastenders, various racial storylines, teenage pregnancies, even issues arising from Ken being middle class (he went to uni and became a teacher) when his parents and brother were working class

I used to watch Corrie all the time when the storylines were believable and there was a gentle humour. Most of the great characters have gone and the plots are too far fetched for a little cobbled street !

Considering we have a long standing Corrie thread there’s obviously still plenty on here who do watch

Well not everyone can afford all the various paid for channels Reka so we have to make do with what they give us

I used to watch CS, but it started to get ridiculous and gave up with about 6-7 years ago.
Eastenders, No gave up with that about 30 years ago.
I did listen to the Archers but that's even lost it's appeal for me with the George saga, haven't listened to that for months.

Not watched them for years.

TV is totally different theses days. So many streaming channels, mainstream TV is dying off

Granmarderby10

I must have been a bit thick because I was never aware of soaps being a vehicle for topical issues years back. That is trying too hard imo.

We did have good actual tv documentaries though for that.
Ones we could trust, no AI, no bias.

Oh yes - Peggy had breast cancer, and Sam has it now. Mark Fowler had HIV and showed that it wasn't a reason to ostracise people. Brookside was like a Sociology O Level in its day . Soaps have always been ways to get messages across - wasn't The Archers a vehicle for getting Min of Ag and Fish messages to farmers post war?

I still watch Corrie and still enjoy it, though I do grumble about some of the story lines. There’s so much on offer these days, I doubt any regular programme gets an audience of 8 million, as a lot of people watch their shows on catch up now anyway, at a time to suit them. I myself rarely watch Corrie as it’s broadcast, but rarely miss an episode either. Presumably my Freeview recordings aren’t counted in the viewing figures?

I must have been a bit thick because I was never aware of soaps being a vehicle for topical issues years back. That is trying too hard imo.

We did have good actual tv documentaries though for that.
Ones we could trust, no AI, no bias.

David49

They lost our appeal over 20 yrs ago when the themes became a never ending drama and bad behavior, EastEnders was banned, why would you want your children to think that was normal behavior?.

Eastenders was banned? Was it? I don't remember that. Who banned it, and why?

They lost their appeal for me about 2006 I think it was because I realised I didn’t recognise anyone in Coronation Street or even care anymore.
Don’t miss them a bit but did enjoy them all up until this point

I think that Eastenders is very good at doing topical storyline but, because I am quite involved in it, I feel sorry that they haven't shown more of the help available to people living with dementia and for their carers.

kittylester

We have watched Stenders since the beginning and one daughter and a couple of her friends also watch it. I'm too nosey to give up now.

I'm with you, but then I'm an East End girl of sorts.
To the poster who said they wouldn't want their children thinking it was normal behaviour, a trip to Stratford might confirm that that behaviour does exist, and is normal for quite a few!
Moreover, I think Nigel's story is very common and affects nearly a million people in the UK plus their families.

Marilla

I only watch Classic Coronation Street. I never thought there would be a time when I wouldn’t keep up with the latest episodes. But the quality of the story lines are so poor, I can’t bring myself to watch it.
Classic Corrie is my evening treat. The current story line where Vera is excited about moving to Blackpool but dies suddenly is so poignant. Jack is bereft. A very moving performance.

I remember it being wonderfully done at the time