Guiding Light Axed

American daytime soap opera Guiding Light has been axed by broadcaster CBS. The soap is the world’s longest running soap having clocked up a staggering 72 years.

American broadcaster CBS has decided to cancel its daytime soap opera Guiding Light. The soap is the world’s longest running soap having clocked up 72 years. Originally Guiding Light started as radio soap in 1937, in fifteen minute episodes, and transferred to television in 1952. The soap revolves around three families; the Lewis’, Coopers and Spaulding families, in the fictional town of Springfield – no not the same one as The Simpsons. Over the course of its 72 year history over 15,000 episodes have been produced – a truly staggering number. In the UK Coronation Street, which will celebrate 50 years on-air next year, has just passed the 7,000 mark.

The axe is being blamed on declining ratings for the soap – something affecting all daytime soaps in America. The soap was radically revamped last year to bring it more up-to-date and give it a modern feel. However, far from adding to the rating the revamp had the opposite effect and also saw two of the soap’s stars quit in protest and move to rival soap All My Children.

The cast and crew of the soap were informed earlier this week but producers Proctor and Gamble are said to be looking at ways to carry on the soap. The company are hoping to find a new home for the soap on a cable channel or even to continue it as an online soap. The last episode of Guiding Light will air on CBS in September.