While they appear somewhat safe for now ITV currently has a question mark over it’s future as they are in talks to sell to Sky’s parent company Comcast. Should new owners decide to axe them this will have huge repercussions.
Since all the current soaps have been running for decades they are one of the few shows on television that offers a truly generational viewing experience. Many people were introduced to them by their mothers who in turn were introduced by their mums and it is not ususual for three generations of the same family to sit down and enjoy them together.
If the soaps were pulled their place would possibly be filled by another generic quiz show or a reality show – neither of which scream watch with grandma.
The soaps have also become a part of our day-to-day schedules and are appointment viewing for many. While viewing patterns have shifted slightly in recent years thanks to on-demand, you still hear people saying they have to dash home from after work drinks or the gym in order to get home and tune in. Especially when there is a big storyline.
No matter how polished any show that replaces them is, it won’t have the history and loyalty of the soaps meaning people simply won’t care as much.
A soap shaped hole in the TV schedules also affects numerous other shows. Without the soaps there are no soap stars to book for shows like I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here, Strictly Come Dancing or Celebrity Big Brother. There will also be no soap stars popping up playing for charity on shows such as The Celebrity Chase, Celebrity Weakest Link or Celebrity Who Wants To Be A Millionaire meaning the good causes will also suffer.
Morning television would look very different as well as there would be no well know soap face popping onto the breakfast TV sofas to discuss their latest issue led storyline.
There are no plans to axe any soaps in an ever changing TV landscape. Suffice to say, losing the soaps would be a catastrophic move for viewers so I’m issuing an SOS – Save Our Soaps – before the powers that be get any ideas.
