The Young and the Restless spoilers discuss Y&R renewal prospects and format changes for the 2018 season and onward. CBS is currently slated to broadcast ‘The Young and the Restless’ through the 2017 television season. Y&R, along with the entire daytime lineup was renewed through the 2016-17 season as of last April. However, Y&R initially received a multi-season pickup (through 2017) in January 2014. Hardly automatic anymore, but this particular show should be renewed in its one-hour format at least through 2018.
Soap opera fans don’t need a detailed explanation of the modern state of the genre. There are less devoted viewers these days as compared to the good old twentieth century antenna days. However, any TV show with a fan base that’s sizable enough can still be a money-maker for the broadcast network that projects it.
Y&R topped the most recent soap opera ratings, a fact that’s been true for 28 consecutive years. Its 4.6 million average daily viewers represent a smaller number of people who are watching now as compared to when Y&R’s ratings’ streak began in December 1988. But the show’s availability through various modern platforms, along with the combined strength of other fan bases outside the United States appear to make this soap a continued advertiser destination.
This year’s additions of Mal Young (executive producer), Sally Sussman (co executive producer and head writer) and Kay Alden (story consultant) to Y&R’s staff represents a gamble. Here’s the soapy stab – Give the bulk of the audience what it wants, hope that opinion-leading faction likes the familiar territory that’s created through modern methods, spreads the word via social media and draws other viewers back, while also attracting new eyeballs to whatever screens they’re watching.
So, a decision about daytime’s reigning scripted ratings’ leader could be made as soon as next month, or as late as spring. How long Y&R remains on the air, or whether it eventually becomes a half-hour show can’t be definitively determined. But, most fans would certainly accept less time in Genoa City each weekday if cost factors forcibly shrink the show to 30 minutes in exchange for a renewal agreement. And all counters to this theory will purely be speculative as well.
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