The Industry - History of Soap Operas

British Soap operas began on radio in the late 1940’s, aimed mainly at a female audience, broadcast in daily daytime slots. Britain’s longest running soap opera began in 1951 and still runs today, The Archers is broadcast the BBC on BBC radio four.


 

In the 1960’s the well-known Coronation Street began and has just celebrated its 50^th anniversary making it the longest running televised British soap opera to date. Another ITV Soap opera was created in 1972, Emmerdale – this offered a more rural based setting as opposed to Coronation Streets fictional community Weatherfield, in Manchester. Both held prime time television slots and interested a diverse audience bringing in high, loyal viewing figures.

 

 In 1982 Channel Four created their own soap opera, Brookside – differing from other soap operas by featuring a middle class cast, something not yet featured in a soap opera. Many people feel the basis of middle class instead of working class and increasingly ludicrous storylines brought about the downfall of Brookside in late 2003.


 

Daytime soap operas came about within the 1980’s, with the slots mainly filled with Australian soap operas such as Neighbours, Home and Away and The Young Doctors.  Although not British based the soap operas still attracted large audiences, mainly housewives, through the realistic and interesting storylines.


 

In 1985 the BBC broadcast Eastenders, a massive hit the soap brought in high viewing figures continually from its first episode. At first rivalling Coronation Street for the prime time slot meant Eastenders lost to the already established soap ‘corrie’, yet the soaps  now feature on opposing prime time slots and days, meaning they can each retain their high viewing figures and loyal audiences.


 

In 1992 the BBC brought about the soap opera El Dorado, based around British expats living in Spain, although primarily popular the soap opera only lasted a year. Another new soap created in 1995 is the still popular Hollyoaks, a soap opera based with a youth focus. Hollyoaks is still a popular soap now, known widely for its realistic portrayal of a working class community with the majority of its cast being 18-35.


 

Since the 90’s and the defunct of Brookside the soap operas Coronation Street, Eastenders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks have grown to be associated with a part of British life. They are heavily mediated which helps them maintain and attract a high amount of viewer. Each one offers a difference such as setting or cast whilst representing a realistic working class community. They are all broadcast from 6.30pm onwards meaning they reach the majority of the country once they are home from their daily jobs/life and offer a form of escapism and relaxation.