The sands will continue to flow through the hourglass. NBC has announced that it has renewed Days of our Lives for an additional two years. The contract extension means that the sole remaining NBC soap will be on the air to celebrate its 50th anniversary in November 2015.
"Days of our Lives continues to be a fan favorite for the daytime audience and we are thrilled to keep it going through its 50th season," Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment said. "DAYS has shown year-to-year increases in key female demographics and remains both relevant and fresh creatively due to the hard work of the producers, writers, cast and crew who have worked tirelessly to make DAYS the ratings success it is today."
In the most recently released ratings, DAYS averaged just shy of three million viewers per episode. That's up 426,000 total viewers over last year's totals, and the highest numbers in four years.
"Having won the Emmy Award for Outstanding Daytime Drama, Days of our Lives continues to deliver on its legacy of quality storytelling," said Steve Kent, Senior EVP, Programming, Sony Pictures Television. "We appreciate NBC's continued support and are excited to celebrate the show's 50th anniversary with our generations of dedicated fans."
In its 48-plus years, Days of our Lives has earned 232 Daytime Emmy nominations. Its Outstanding Drama Series win last year was its first since 1978.
"We are thrilled to continue being a part of the NBC family and to have the support of our incredible network and studio executives who work tirelessly to allow us to continue telling our stories and share the DAYS legacy with our devoted family of fans," said Ken Corday, DAYS's executive producer.
Days of our Lives broadcast its first episode on November 8, 1965.
"Thank you guys for watching!!" exclaimed Chrishell Stause (Jordan Ridgeway).
"SO very happy to spread the news! Congrats team #nbcdays," said Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts).
"CONGRATS to #DAYS on their pick up," wrote Angelica McDaniel, the head of CBS Daytime. "Who said the genre is dying? NOT US! #SoapsStillMatter #ThanksToTheFans"
Alison Sweeney (Samantha Brady), who earlier in the week announced she would be leaving DAYS at the end of the year, was more succinct with her reply, "WOOHOO!!!!"
