CBS Ending 'As The World Turns'

Second daytime drama to be canceled by network after 'Guiding Light'

By Alex Weprin -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/8/2009 1:09:31 PM

CBS says it is ending its long-running soap As The World Turns in September 2010. The daytime drama series has been a staple on the network since it debuted in 1956. When it finally closes up shop, it will have aired more than 13,000 episodes.

As The World Turns is the second soap to be canceled by CBS. The network announced it would be ending Guiding Light earlier this year, with the final episode airing Sept. 18, 2009.

CBS replaced Light with a remake of the game show Let's Make a Deal.

Both Guiding Light and As The World Turns are from Procter & Gamble's TeleNext Media.

"It's extremely difficult to say good-bye to a long-running series that's been close to our hearts for so long," said Barbara Bloom, senior VP of daytime programming for CBS, in a statement. "The almanacs will show As The World Turns as a pioneer of the format, a hallmark for quality with its numerous Emmy's, the launching pad for many television and film stars and a daytime ratings powerhouse for parts of three decades.  But, the true legacy of As The World Turns will be the fictional characters and stories of a small Midwest town that resonated every day with millions of viewers over multiple generations, becoming a treasured daytime institution in the process.  We thank our partners at Procter & Gamble for the privilege of hosting this beloved series...the actors, writers, producers and crew who worked so hard and shared their amazing talents to bring this series to life...and, of course, the viewers who shared the journey on our network for so many years."