How long do you think daytime soap operas will last?

That is up to them. They are being canceled because of their low ratings. Their ratings are low because of their own foolhardy decisions. Take ABC for example. They had a meeting announced that in 4 months the show would be moving to LA. In LA the studio space is more expensive they had to hire new writers and half the cast quit, including every male lead they had now All My Children is plain awful even the ones who did go like Susan Lucci commute and that mean the show goes months without her being on and she is the ONLY dynamic character even left on the show.

OLTL had some characters who were popular and connected to established families and they had Kish and they fired them all. Now a year later they have the pretty boy Fords who aren't talented at anything but taking off their clothes. But they don't even try to tell stories they have have them walking around in towels. James getting naked to study for his GED!!?? Who doesn't take their clothes off to study??!!!

Now they won't show the three most 3 most talented women on daytime Robin Strausser (dorian), Erica Slezak (Viki), Hillary B Smith (Nora) and Susan Haskill (Marty) at all. You show me another show that has 4 women who are emmy winners for lead actress and I guarantee you that they are in more than 6 episodes out of 21. But somehow John is in 20 out of 21. OLTL had the golden opportunity with their competing show ATWT being canceled to gain viewers and the week after ATWT ended not only did they not gain significant viewership they LOST 130,000 viewers is a testament as to how poor a product they put out.

About GH I could care less. I'm not into mobsters with a thing for little girls so I hoe they do cancel that show.

I'm from England so I don't really know but from what I've heard the American soap operas are doomed.

I think the reason for that is because they are shown during the day when people are at work. The soap operas here in the UK are shown in the evening when people are back from work which is why I think they're more popular.

Why can't the American soap operas be move to the evening slot? More people would probably watch them then.

I hope they go longer, but they've cancelled 2 soap operas in 2 years! And Soap Net is being taken off in January of 2012! I love soap operas and will be sad when they're all gone. It gives me something to look forward to everyday. :)

I think there future is foggy. Soaps could make a comeback, but if nothing happens all the Daytime Soaps could be gone in 5-7 years. They need to find a way to reinvent themselves to appeal more to audiences.

I hope they'll still be on in 40+ years, because I want my grandchildren to grow up watching them, just like how I did. But to be honest, I'll give it a generous 10 years before they're all canceled. Sadly, soap operas have been declining for a long time now.

I think they're well on their way out. Writers have recycled stories so much they're getting too predictable. Hate to see them go.

Well i hope my 2 that i watch will last till i die. My soaps make my day..

I hope they last for awhile, but being realistic, they will probably last for another 10-15 years.

Long enough for Days of Our Lives to end with everyone living happily ever after!

THE TOP TWO SOAPS.... # 1 -BOLD & THE BEAUTIFUL & # 2 -YOUNG & THE RESTLESS WILL LIVE ON FOREVER.....