2013

An ABC representative confirms to Soap Opera Network that actors Bradford Anderson (Damien Spinelli) and Emily Wilson (Ellie Trout) will soon be departing “General Hospital.” Per the rep, Anderson’s last airdate as Damian Spinell is scheduled for Tuesday, December 17, while an exact airdate is unknown for Wilson at this time. However, in its newest issue, Soap Opera Digest spoke with head writer Ron Carlivati, who said of Wilson’s exit, “It’s kind of hinged on Bradford’s desire to move on. We had kind of hitched Ellie’s wagon to Spinelli’s star, so in the desire to want to give him a happy ending, part of that involved Ellie going with him. I think it would have been sad to send him off by himself with this child, and also very hard to make sense, you know, that there was this great PI job that he couldn’t turn down.”

December 2-6, 2013

CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” is in a celebratory mood today as the soap is enjoying 25 consecutive years as daytime television’s most watched drama series. As part of its continued success, the soap is also enjoying its best season average in total viewers since the 2011-2012 television season. To show their appreciation to fans for their support, cast and crew took the time to pose with a banner that states: “The Young and the Restless: #1 For 25 Years.” To honor this feet, Soap Opera Network has gathered all the images published on social media for your one stop viewing pleasure.

Each week Soap Opera Network publishes ratings reports that break down the highs and lows of the four remaining daytime soap operas – “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Days of our Lives,” “General Hospital” and “The Young and the Restless” – in total viewers and the all important key women sales demos (Women 18-34, Women 18-49 and Women 25-54). Today, with both ABC and CBS noting the success of “GH” and “Y&R,” respectively, TheWrap has published a piece entitled, “If Soaps Are ‘Dead,’ Why Are Their Audiences Growing?” In its report, the publication notes that each of the soaps are up season-to-date in all key ratings categories. Meanwhile, some of the replacements for the canceled ABC versions of “All My Children” and “One Life to Live,” specifically talk shows, have all “come and gone like, um, sands through the hourglass.”

Genoa City’s two greatest rivals are coming together, and they’re inviting you in for the action!

It looks like “All My Children” and “General Hospital” alum, Eddie Matos (ex-Ricky Torres and ex-Peter Marquez, respectively) is headed to The CW’s popular series, “Hart of Dixie,” and a big dose of romance is coming along with him!

CBS’ “The Young and the Restless” has officially clocked 25 consecutive years as daytime’s #1 drama series. The soap is pacing for its largest audience to begin a season since the 2011-2012 television season with 5.1 million viewers tuning in on average to the trials and tribulations of Genoa City’s elite. “I am so proud of the talented cast and crew, past and present, for making ‘The Young and the Restless’ #1 for 25 years,” said Angelica McDaniel, Senior Vice President, CBS Daytime. “A special thank you to our loyal and passionate fans for helping us reach this incredible milestone.”

For the week of December 2-6, 2013, ABC’s “General Hospital” continued its ratings momentum from the week prior (week of November 25, 2013) with 3.31 million viewers, a 1.9 rating in Women 25-54 (1.18 million in actuals) and a 1.4 rating in Women 18-49 (880,000 million in actuals), per Nielsen Media Research Live + SD ratings data. This week marked the first time “GH” ranked a solid #1 in Women 25-54 in over six years and its best performance in Women 18-34 and Women 18-49, both since the week of July 16, 2007. The soap attracted its largest numbers since the week of January 21, 2008 in viewers, it’s largest Women 18-49 rating in over two-and-a-half years (since week of March 11, 2011) and best performance in Women 25-54 rating in close to three years (since week of December 27, 2010), respectively. The soap continues to pace for its best season in seven years in total viewers (since 2006/2007 television season).

Lionsgate announced today that it has acquired the feature film rights to “Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth,” the New York Times bestselling biographical tale that questions the details about the man we know as Jesus of Nazareth. Authored by Dr. Reza Aslan, “Zealot” was released to bookstores and online publishing retailers earlier this year.

If a dose of “The Young and the Restless’” Victoria Rowell (ex-Drucilla Winters) is just what you’ve been craving this holiday season, then get ready for your wish to come true! The former daytime star will be appearing in an upcoming original UP film titled “Marry Me for Christmas.”