'Days of Our Lives' Canceled? Soap Sees Spike In Viewership, No Longer In Jeopardy Of? [PHOTO]
Fans of Days of Our Lives may be able to breathe a little easier these days as things continue picking up for the once-struggling soap.
According to TV By The Numbers, the sole NBC soap delivered a 23-week high in women 18-49 during the week of July 13-17, and was also the top-rated week in women 18-34 for the first time in seven weeks.
The show ranked as the #6 network daytime series overall among women 18-49, and #5 in women 18-34. It generated its top rating in the demographics since Feb. 2-6, and matched its six month high from Jan, 12-16.
Week to week, the soap as grown 18 percent in women 18-49 and 23 percent in women 18-34.
The increase in viewership comes on the heels of a new and major overhaul being announced to bring the soap back to its former glory days.
Executive Producer Ken Cordray revealed a plan earlier this month to change the show's creative approach, and revealed the moment he knew the show was in trouble.
"The show I was looking at was no longer recognizable as Days of Our Lives to me," he said. "We had to jettison stories that were not going over well with the audience and we had to give characters on the show who were recognizable and powerful more story. But most importantly, we had to, for the 50th anniversary, months after and before, give viewers what they wanted to see."
Eric Martsolf, who portrays Brady Black on the soap, also talked about the changes at the time, saying they were a positive thing even though it meant having to say goodbye to other characters in the process.
"We can't wait to show the fans what is going to be happening for the 50th anniversary, but it doesn't just stop after the 50th anniversary," he said. "This work ethic has continued, and the stories are just getting better and better as time goes on. We're just starting to shoot 2016. It's pretty amazing what we already have in the can, but I think fans are going to be extremely excited once all of this unfolds."
"It's a change of attitude; we've had a lot of changes in our hallways with administration and actors, and there are going to be exits as well as entrances," he added. "All you can guarantee in this genre is change, but with that comes new opportunities and new relationships, and that's always interesting when those things come around in story. So get ready for things to be shaken up!"
