After a presentation to the Television Critics Association in Pasadena, Calif., Nina Tassler, the president of CBS Entertainment, warned of other potential potential daytime changes. She said that another long-running CBS soap, AS THE WORLD TURNS, is also facing “ratings challenges” and that CBS is “looking at all of daytime very carefully.” ‘
Ms. Tassler said that CBS had taped three game-show pilots, including LET'S MAKEA DEAL in the search for a replacement for GUIDING LIGHT, indicating that it might have a potential replacement ready to go if it decides that AS THE WORLD TURNS has also run its course. Game shows generally are far cheaper to make than daytime dramas, another factor that might weigh in the CBS decision.
Tassler has more to say to the New York Post.
"It is also having ratings challenges," CBS president Nina Tassler tells The Post. "It is hard to say (if it is safe)."
ATWT debuted in April 1956 - four years after GUIDING LIGHT. As of today, it has broadcast 13,573 episodes.
Tassler says she "doesn't know when" the fate of the program will be determined. "It is one of those things where you watch and you talk."
Is anyone out there part of the Nielsen sample? Do any of us even count? AS THE WORLD TURNS needs to do their part and start producing a quality show on a consistent basis. The cast is certainly in place and there are signs of life. They just need to make every day compelling (which probably means a lot less of Meg Snydner).
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
