FAQ About Soap Operas

Soap operas have their roots in the early days of radio broadcasting. The first soap opera is widely recognized to be "Painted Dreams," which premiered on October 20, 1930, on radio station WGN in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Created by Irna Phillips, often referred to as the "Queen of the Soaps," "Painted Dreams" focused on the lives of various characters in a small Midwestern town.

After the success of "Painted Dreams," soap operas quickly gained popularity and spread to other radio stations across the United States. In the 1940s, soap operas made the transition to television, and the genre flourished in the new medium. The first televised soap opera was "Faraway Hill," which aired in 1946.

Since then, soap operas have become a staple of daytime television schedules, captivating audiences with their ongoing storylines, dramatic twists, and character-driven narratives. While the popularity of soap operas has fluctuated over the years, with changes in viewing habits and the rise of streaming platforms, they continue to have dedicated viewership and remain an influential and recognizable genre in the realm of serialized dramas.