Are the soaps losing their appeal?

I haven't watched a soap for 20-30 years, Bet and Alec was on Coronation Street, there's far better things to watch

Interesting this I now never watch any soaps but was an ardent fan for fifty years. I like my tv to take me out of mundane life and lift me up my sons can’t believe I don’t watch anymore. Their teatimes and bedtimes were arranged around my ardent tv viewing.

When I returned from working abroad in 2012 I made a conscious effort not to watch any soaps as I didn't want to be chained to watching the many episodes that seem to be on these days. I have on occasion caught bits of episodes whilst waiting for other programs to come on and I am so glad I don't watch them, they are so full of doom and gloom and all seem to follow the same miserable storylines. What happened to the everyday stories that were always intertwined with the more serious subjects?

The later times don't work for me, think I'll records them and watch the following day at the old times.

Corrie and Emmerdale are far too depressing now. I’ve watched them both for over 40 years and it was always good to sit down after dinner with a cup of tea and watch some feel good tv. There’s no happiness in these programs anymore. Blackmail, lying, violence, coercive relationships, murder, child grooming, people trafficking, drugs. And that’s every episode! If I want to watch these topics I’ll watch a documentary.

i don't know if they take into account the people that watch online, you can get corrie and emmerdale at 7am each morning, i am fed up with the half hour slots of corrie and the storylines at the moment.

I remember Ena Sharples, Minnie Caldwell, and Albert Tatlock on Corrie as well as the inimitable Pat Phoenix as Elsie Tanner.
I think Corrie like Eastenders now resorts to sensationalist story lines of sociopathic killers next door. Of course Corrie started off as a kitchen sink serial but bears no resemblance to that now.
And btw how many sociopathic killers can one street or square boast of in a few decades.

Years ago I watched Coronation Street Emmerdale ( Farm !) and Eastenders .
We still watch the latter as it's the only one we do but even that is pretty dire .

We watch Coronation Street and Emmerdale regularly, though the dark, depressing storylines are turning us off.

Some of the families in these soaps suffer so many problems, you wonder how they survive.

We prefer lighthearted, easygoing stories, and not as interested these days as we used to be.

It’s interesting that the Corrie thread is one of the most active (and often most entertaining) on Gransnet.

I prefer soaps to be like a warm bath, gentle and relaxing with plenty of suds and bubbles. I loved Crossroads back in the day. It was never dark or violent.

The British soaps have always seemed full of people shouting and being nasty to each other, not what I want to see. Plus the dark storylines.

I love anything Aussie so I still watch old Neighbours on Amazon and current Home and Away on Five Star. At least you get some sunshine and beautiful beaches.

Amazon is brilliant for old soapy dramas, All Saints (hospital) and Blue Heelers (Police) are both great without being dark. And they were on for years so plenty of episodes that you can watch at your own pace.

Watched Coronation Street when I lived at home 50 years ago, never seen any of the other ones

Have never watched soaps. Would rather have a good historical documentary thanks! My old Mum loved her soaps, think that is what put me off them!

Corrie and Eastenders just got silly with the amount of murders etc.They used to be about family life.
Corrie,in particular,was well written with much humour. I’ve not watched them for around 20 years

Haven’t watched a soap for many years. Unless you count Casualty which I’ve watched from the first episode and still do. Rarely watch anything “live “ just catch up when I can. Don’t watch masses of TV anyway . I’m enjoying Everwood on Netflix at the moment and also watch Call the Midwife and Silent Witness . That’s having its 30 year anniversary this year

Watched Eastenders for quite a while, and the Aussie Soaps when my children were keen. I loved The Sullivans and The Cedar Tree. Now we don’t watch any, though I still catch The Archers a few times a week.

Instead we tend to binge watch series like
The Big Bang Theory or Foyle’s war, or Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries.
Currently enjoying Everwood.

Used to be an avid watcher of Enders and Corrie - not anymore! They are awful, don’t hold any reality to life! The writers have totally lost the plot! Awful programmes now

Until about 20 years ago regularly watched and enjoyed both Coronation Street and Eastenders. But then the storylines got sillier and more far fetched probably because they were doing more episodes each week and at different times. Gave up then. Still enjoy watching Casualty if that counts as a soap.

I look forward to Eastenders on a regular basis. I also enjoy Midsummer Murders. I sometimes watch Miss Marple when its on. But also enjoy The Chase, and Tipping Point.

I've never really liked them . I can't pretend that I do as I don't know one character from the other or the plot .
On Saturday,I was chatting to a couple of my newer friends and one of them was incredulous that I don't like them . She seemed offended and asked what I like .
I prefer the arts,classical music or history programmes .
I don't know why ,but she looked uncomfortable and left .
The other lady and I continued to chat happily.

Each to their own.

I’m a huge Neighbours, Doctors and Holby City fan so was gutted when they all stopped. When Neighbours was being axed the first time & they were doing their goodbye tour, my friend and I had tickets. The fact they were saved made the tour even better & the cast on stage were brilliant.
I love Casualty but the 3 main soaps I haven’t watched for about 12 years now.

Cumbrianmale56 I’m an east Enders fan but even that has poor story lines at times. Lived in Bethnal Green all my life and at one point in the same street as Julie Harris (patsy palmer) knew her when she was about 3 years old. I must say though everyone knows a least one person identical to a charscter! 🙄🤣

No soaps for me now. I did find corrie amusing at times but there’s too much gloom in them now. Also I think it reflects how life has changed and domestic drama has lost its appeal. Everyone seems to be more interested in travel and celebrities now!

Have not don't want to

I don’t watch UK soaps as they’re so grim. I do enjoy Home and Away though and as far as I’m concerned it hasn’t been cancelled.