Soap opera Timeline of Events

Home / Timelines / Soap opera

Soap opera

A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers, as sponsors and producers...

Timeline of Events

1951

9.3.1951

The first long-running American television soap opera, ''Search for Tomorrow'', airs its first episode on the CBS network.

1960

12.9.1960

The first episode of Britain's longest running television soap opera ''Coronation Street'' is broadcast.

1980

3.21.1980

On the season finale of the soap opera ''Dallas'', the infamous character J.R. Ewing is shot by an unseen assailant, leading to the catchphrase "Who shot J.R.?"

1986

12.26.1986

The first long-running American television soap opera, ''Search for Tomorrow'', airs its final episode after thirty-five years on the air.