8 Long-Running Soap Operas and Where They Stand Today

Soap operas have been declared dying for about as long as they’ve been on the air. Yet in 2026, several of them are still producing new episodes, some on networks and some on streaming services.

The picture isn’t the same everywhere, though. Here’s a look at eight of the best known, with what’s happening to each one as of this autumn.

General Hospital

General Hospital premiered on April 1, 1963, and reached its 16,000th episode on July 13, 2026. It’s also the show that has won the most Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series, with 14 wins.

These days it’s the alphabet network’s sole surviving soap, after ABC cancelled its other two daytime dramas in 2011. ABC doesn’t usually announce renewals, so the show simply keeps running. The 2024 to 2025 season averaged 1.87 million total viewers, and the cast is still being shuffled, with new actors and returning favorites announced through September 2026.

Days of Our Lives

Days of Our Lives first aired on NBC in 1965. Since 2022 it has lived exclusively on Peacock, where new episodes arrive every weekday. The show marked its 15,000th episode in December 2024.

In July 2025, Peacock ordered two more seasons, which covers seasons 62 and 63. Season 62 began streaming on August 24, 2026. The show has also dealt with real loss, since Drake Hogestyn and Bill Hayes both died in 2024.

The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless debuted on CBS on March 26, 1973. It aired its 13,000th episode on November 13, 2024. CBS describes it as its longest running scripted series.

The show is secure for now. A four year renewal takes it through its 55th season in 2027 to 2028. CBS also lists it as 2026’s most Daytime Emmy nominated series, and its 54th season continues on October 8.

The Bold and the Beautiful

The Bold and the Beautiful is the younger sister show of Y&R. It premiered on March 23, 1987, as a sister show to the Bells’ other soap. The story centers on the Forrester family and their fashion business in Los Angeles.

CBS says the show kicked off its landmark 40th season on Tuesday, Sept. 8. A renewal ordered in 2025 carries it through its 41st season in 2027 to 2028. At that point the show was averaging about 3.2 million viewers, including streaming and other delayed viewing.

Coronation Street

Coronation Street is the veteran of the group. It was first broadcast on ITV on 9 December 1960. It’s still on air, with new characters arriving through 2026, including a driver named Fraser who comes to Weatherfield with a new arrival, Celeste.

The year opened with a stunt. ITV aired a crossover episode called Corriedale on January 5, 2026, a one off 60 minute episode between Coronation Street and Emmerdale. It was announced as part of ITV’s scheduling changes and cutbacks for 2026. Football and other sport have also bumped the show from its slot several times this year.

Emmerdale

Emmerdale shares an executive producer with Coronation Street. Iain MacLeod has held that role on both since 2024. That helps explain the crossover, and the closer scheduling between the two.

In Ireland, Virgin Media One launched a “Soap Power Hour,” with Emmerdale at 8pm and Coronation Street at 8.30pm on weeknights. On the story side, ITV confirmed that Patsy Kensit would return as Sadie King later in 2026. Her comeback was billed as an explosive one for the village.

EastEnders

EastEnders has been the BBC’s flagship soap since 1985. Its recent awards run is a good sign of health. At the 2025 British Soap Awards, Lacey Turner won Best Leading Performer for Stacey Slater, and Steve McFadden won for Best Dramatic Performance.

Cast changes continue in 2026. One report says Jamie Bamber will play Ned Roper, the husband of Gemma, who follows his wife to Walford. Michelle Ryan’s Zoe Slater is confirmed to leave this year. During the World Cup, the BBC moved episodes to BBC Two and BBC Three.

Home and Away

Home and Away began in Australia on the Seven Network in 1988. It’s set in the fictional seaside town of Summer Bay. It also has a long UK following, where it airs on Channel 5.

The show remained in production through 2026, and UK spoiler coverage continued into late August. This article didn’t find a fresh official renewal announcement, so there’s no confirmed end date to report. Fans can still follow current storylines such as Harper’s police report about Beau and the romance between David and Amelia.