Charlotte Burton A2 Media Coursework

History of Soap Operas

The term soap opera or 'soap'for short, is an continuous fictional drama series that is usually presented as a television programme. The name 'soap opera' originates from drama serials produced  on radio in America in the 1930s which had soap manufacturers as sponsors and producers including Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers.

British soaps began on radio stations associated with the BBC, who to this day broadcast on BBC Radio 4, the world's longest running radio soap called 'The Archers' which has been broadcasted since 1951 still attracting over 5 million listeners or around 25% of the radio-listeners of an evening.  

 The 1960s & 1970s

In late 1960, Coronation Street made it's debut to British television showing ordinary characters living in a fictional town of Weatherfield based in North West England. Despite critics doubts, the programme proved them all wrong as to this day the show is the longest running and most watched soap on British television.

Although there was a large amount of competitors of soaps in the '60s including Compact, The Newcomers, United! and 199 Park Lane. None of the the serials came close to the success of Coronation Street  and most were wiped from screens.

Coronation Street or 'Corrie' as it's sometimes known only had one main rival during the '60s of Crossroads that ran daily when it began four years after in 1964. Set in a Birmingham motel the series was of a low standard with bad acting and low technical standards and by the '80s it's ratings began to decline until it was cut in 1988 after various failed revamps of the show. A new  version was introduced in 2001 but was again cut in 2003.

In 1972, later rival Emmerdale Farm (now known as Emmerdale) began in a daytime slot set in a fictional village in Yorkshire. As it is still running today it has become the UK's second oldest soap opera.

 Current Emmerdale title sequence.                                   Current Coronation Street title sequence.

Ken Barlow in the first episode of Coronation Street. (1960)

Logo for latest version of Crossroads (2003)

The Sugden family in the first episode of Emmerdale in 1972.

Brookside's original title card

Eastenders' current opening sequence

 The 1980's

During the 80's daytime slots developed from being empty to being filled with a mass of soap operas including ITV's General Hospital and Scottish television's Take the High Road.
Older Australian soaps such as The Young Doctors, The Sullivans, Sons and Daughters and eventually the popular Neighbours and Home and Away filled daytime slots later in the decade.

In 1982, when Channel 4 began it released to the screens it's own soap of Brookside on its first day of shows. Brookside focused on a different way of life to other soaps and was set in Liverpool in a middle class cul-de-sac. The soap ran for 21 years and finished in late 2003. 

In 1985, Eastenders hit British Television screens as a London based soap opera, the soap was an instant success with the first episode attracting over 17 million viewers. 

Critics talked about the down fall of Coronation Street but the soap has continued successfully beating rival Eastenders in being most watched soap .

 The 1990's

To alternate with Eastenders, 1992 saw the arrival of Eldorado, however after heavy criticism the series only lasted a year.

Soaps increased prominence in UK television schedules and in 1995 Channel 4 introduced Hollyoaks, which focused on youth characters for a younger audience.

Channel Five began in 1997 and came with it'd own soap opera in Family Affairs which debuted as a five-days-a-week soap.

Soaps flourished throughout the 90's and main soaps Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Brookside continued on with an increase in weekly episodes. 

Some of the Hollyoaks cast during filming  (2010)

Opening titles of Night and Day showing actress Georgina Walker

The 2000's

The 2000 decade developed soap operas including daytime drama Doctors which began in early 2000 with Neighbours appearing on BBC1. 

In 2001, ITV launched a new serial called Night and Day but attracted low viewing figures which meant it was cancelled in 2003. 

Family Affairs never achieved enough viewers due to being broadcasted opposite Channel 4's Hollyoaks, however after revamps the show won it's first award in 2004 but was eventually cancelled in late 2005.

2008 saw ITV launch their new soap opera The Royal Today; which was a daily spin-off of popular sixties drama The Royal which ran in a primetime slot since 2002. However after one season The Royal Today ended.