The following is a list of television Nielsen ratings and rankings for American daytime soap operas from 1950 to the present, as compiled by Nielsen Media Research.[1] The numbers provided represent the percentage of TV households in the United States watching that particular show in a year.[1] Ratings beginning with the 2013-14 television season count Live+Same Day households as opposed to Live+7 Days. Before 1996, the season average included only ratings from late September through mid-April. Since 1996, the numbers represent full-year ratings, from September through September.
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1950–1951 Season[2]
1951–1952 Season[2]
1952–1953 Season[2]
- 1. Search for Tomorrow 16.1 (Current record for daytime soap ratings)
- 2. Love of Life 15.1
- 3. Hawkins Falls 13.7
- 4. The Guiding Light 11.3
1953–1954 Season[2]
- 1. Search for Tomorrow 15.8
- 2. The Guiding Light 14.4
- 3. Love of Life 14.0
- 4. Hawkins Falls 11.7
- 5. Valiant Lady 10.2 (Debut: October 12, 1953)
- 6. The Brighter Day 8.4 (Debut: January 4, 1954)
- 7. The Secret Storm 8.1 (Debut: February 1, 1954)
- 8. Woman with a Past 7.5 (Debut: February 1, 1954)
- 9. Portia Faces Life 7.1
- 10. The Bennetts 6.1
1954–1955 Season[2]
1955–1956 Season[2]
- 1. Search for Tomorrow 13.1
- 2. The Guiding Light 13.0
- 3. Love of Life 10.9
- 4. The Brighter Day 10.5
- 5. The Secret Storm 10.2
- 6. Valiant Lady 9.2
- 7. Modern Romances 9.0
- 8. First Love 6.5
- 9. Date with Life 5.9
- 10. Way of the World 5.2
1956–1957 Season[2]
- 1. The Guiding Light 11.4
- 2. Search for Tomorrow 11.0
- 3. The Secret Storm 10.0
- 4. The Edge of Night 9.7 (Debut: April 2, 1956)
- 5. The Brighter Day 9.2
- 6. Love of Life 9.1
- 7. Modern Romances 9.0
- 8. As the World Turns 8.4 (Debut: April 2, 1956)
- 9. Valiant Lady 7.0
1957–1958 Season[2]
- 1. The Guiding Light 10.1
- 2. As the World Turns 9.9
- 3. The Verdict is Yours 9.9
- 4. Search for Tomorrow 9.8
- 5. The Secret Storm 9.7
- 5. The Edge of Night 9.7
- 7. The Brighter Day 9.3
- 8. From These Roots 9.0 (Debut: June 30, 1958)
- 9. Modern Romances 8.1
- 10. Love of Life 7.9
- 11. Kitty Foyle 5.1
- 12. Hotel Cosmopolitan 4.7
1958–1959 Season[2]
- 1. As the World Turns 9.8
- 1. Search for Tomorrow 9.8
- 3. The Guiding Light 9.7
- 4. The Verdict is Yours 8.7
- 5. The Secret Storm 8.6
- 5. The Edge of Night 8.6
- 7. The Brighter Day 8.2
- 8. Love of Life 7.5
- 9. From These Roots 7.3
- 10. Young Doctor Malone 6.9 (TV Debut: December 29, 1958; had been on radio since 1939)
- 11. Today is Ours 5.2
1950s Rankings: #1: Search for Tomorrow; #2: The Guiding Light; #3: Love of Life
1959–1960 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 9.9
- 2. The Guiding Light 9.6
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 9.5
- 3. The Edge of Night 9.5
- 5. The Secret Storm 8.9
- 6. The Verdict is Yours 8.6
- 7. The Brighter Day 8.2
- 8. Love of Life 8.0
- 9. Young Doctor Malone 7.0
- 10. From These Roots 6.3
- 11. For Better or Worse 5.5
1960–1961 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 10.4
- 2. The Guiding Light 9.9
- 3. The Edge of Night 9.4
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 9.4
- 5. The Secret Storm 9.1
- 6. The Verdict is Yours 8.0
- 7. The Brighter Day 7.9
- 8. Love of Life 7.5
- 9. Young Doctor Malone 6.6
- 10. From These Roots 5.9
- 11. The Clear Horizon 4.8 (Debut: July 11, 1960; aired through March 10, 1961)
- 12. Road to Reality 2.4
- 13. Full Circle 1.3 (Debut: June 27, 1960; ended March 10, 1961)
1961–1962 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 11.9
- 2. The Guiding Light 10.1
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 9.5
- 4. The Edge of Night 8.2
- 5. The Secret Storm 7.6
- 6. The Verdict is Yours 7.5
- 7. Love of Life 7.4
- 8. The Brighter Day 6.9
- 9. Young Doctor Malone 6.1
- 10. Our Five Daughters 5.9 (Debut: January 2, 1962)
- 11. From These Roots 5.6 (Final Season; ended December 29, 1961)
- 12. The Clear Horizon 3.5 (Return/Final Season; aired February 26-June 11, 1962)
1962–1963 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 13.7
- 2. The Guiding Light 11.7
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 10.6
- 4. The Edge of Night 9.5
- 5. The Secret Storm 9.0
- 6. Love of Life 8.6
- 7. Our Five Daughters 5.5 (Final Season; ended September 28, 1962)
- 7. Young Doctor Malone 5.5 (Final Season; ended March 29, 1963)
- 9. General Hospital 3.9 (Debut: April 1, 1963)
- 10. The Brighter Day 3.7 (Final Season; ended September 28, 1962)
- 11. The Doctors 3.4 (Debut: April 1, 1963)
- 12. Ben Jerrod 2.4 (Debut)
1963–1964 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 15.4
- 2. The Guiding Light 14.2
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 11.0
- 4. The Edge of Night 10.5
- 5. Love of Life 10.3
- 6. The Secret Storm 9.2
- 7. General Hospital 5.4
- 8. The Doctors 3.4
- 9. Another World 3.3 (Debut: May 4, 1964)
1964–1965 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 14.5
- 2. The Guiding Light 12.2
- 2. Search for Tomorrow 12.2
- 4. The Secret Storm 11.5
- 5. Love of Life 10.6
- 6. The Edge of Night 10.4
- 7. General Hospital 8.0
- 8. The Doctors 7.5
- 9. Another World 6.8
- 10. Moment of Truth 5.0 (Debut)
- 11. The Young Marrieds 4.4 (Debut: October 5, 1964)
- 12. A Flame in the Wind 2.8 (Debut: December 28, 1964; also Final Season)
1965–1966 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 13.9
- 2. The Guiding Light 11.2
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 11.0
- 4. The Secret Storm 10.9
- 5. Love of Life 10.3
- 6. The Edge of Night 9.9
- 7. General Hospital 7.3
- 8. Another World 6.9
- 9. The Doctors 6.6
- 10. Days of Our Lives 5.3 (Debut: November 8, 1965)
- 11. The Young Marrieds 4.7 (Final Season; ended March 25, 1966)
- 12. Moment of Truth 4.3 (Final Season)
- 13. Dark Shadows 4.1 (Debut: June 27, 1966)
- 13. Morning Star 4.1 (Debut/Final Season: September 27, 1965 to July 1, 1966)
- 13. Paradise Bay 4.1 (Debut/Final Season: September 27, 1965 to July 1, 1966)
- 16. The Nurses 3.9 (Debut: September 27, 1965)
- 16. Never Too Young 3.9 (Debut/Final Season: September 27, 1965 to June 24, 1966)
- 17. Confidential for Women 3.4
1966–1967 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 12.7
- 2. The Edge of Night 10.9
- 3. The Guiding Light 10.8
- 4. Search for Tomorrow 10.7
- 4. The Secret Storm 10.7
- 6. Love of Life 9.5
- 7. Another World 9.0
- 8. The Doctors 7.6
- 9. General Hospital 7.0
- 10. Days of Our Lives 6.9
- 11. The Nurses 4.6 (Final Season; ended March 31, 1967)
- 12. Dark Shadows 4.3
- 13. A Time For Us 4.0 (Debut/Final Season; ended December 16, 1966)
1967–1968 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 13.6
- 2. Another World 10.2
- 3. The Guiding Light 10.0
- 4. Search for Tomorrow 9.9
- 5. The Doctors 9.7
- 6. The Edge of Night 9.4
- 6. The Secret Storm 9.4
- 8. Love of Life 9.2
- 9. General Hospital 8.8
- 10. Days of Our Lives 8.7
- 11. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 7.9 (Debut: September 18, 1967)
- 12. Dark Shadows 7.3
- 13. One Life to Live 5.3 (Debut: July 15, 1968)
1968–1969 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 13.8
- 2. Search for Tomorrow 10.7
- 3. Another World 10.5
- 4. The Edge of Night 9.5
- 5. Love of Life 9.3
- 5. The Doctors 9.3
- 5. Days of Our Lives 9.3
- 8. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 9.0
- 9. The Guiding Light 8.9
- 10. General Hospital 8.8
- 11. Dark Shadows 8.4
- 12. The Secret Storm 7.8
- 13. One Life to Live 6.4
- 14. Hidden Faces 3.3 (Debut/Final Season: December 30, 1968 to June 27, 1969)
1960s Rankings: #1: As the World Turns; #2: The Guiding Light; #3: Search for Tomorrow
1969–1970 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 13.6
- 2. The Edge of Night 10.8
- 3. Search for Tomorrow 10.0
- 4. The Guiding Light 9.8
- 5. Another World 9.6
- 6. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 9.5
- 7. Days of Our Lives 8.8
- 8. The Doctors 8.6
- 8. The Secret Storm 8.6
- 10. General Hospital 8.5
- 11. Love of Life 8.0
- 12. Dark Shadows 7.3
- 13. Where the Heart Is 7.0 (Debut: September 8, 1969)
- 14. One Life to Live 6.7
- 15. Somerset (spin-off of Another World) 5.7 (Debut: March 30, 1970)
- 16. Bright Promise 5.2 (Debut: September 29, 1969)
- 17. All My Children 4.4 (Debut: January 5, 1970)
- 18. A World Apart 2.8 (Debut: March 30, 1970)
- 19. The Best of Everything 1.8 (Debut: March 30, 1970/Final Season; ended September 25, 1970)
1970–1971 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 12.4
- 2. The Edge of Night 10.1
- 3. The Guiding Light 9.7
- 4. Another World 9.5/32 share
- 4. Days of Our Lives 9.5/32 share
- 6. General Hospital 9.5/31 share
- 7. The Doctors 9.4
- 8. Search for Tomorrow 9.3
- 9. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 9.2
- 10. The Secret Storm 8.0
- 11. Love of Life 7.9
- 12. Where the Heart Is 7.0/27 share
- 13. Somerset 7.0/22 share
- 14. Bright Promise 6.8
- 15. One Life to Live 6.5
- 16. Dark Shadows 5.3 (Final Season; ended April 2, 1971)
- 17. All My Children 4.8
- 18. A World Apart 3.4 (Final Season; ended June 25, 1971)
1971–1972 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 11.1
- 2. General Hospital 10.4
- 3. Days of Our Lives 9.9
- 4. The Edge of Night 9.5
- 5. The Doctors 9.3
- 6. Another World 9.1
- 7. Search for Tomorrow 8.8
- 8. The Guiding Light 8.6
- 9. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 8.0
- 10. Love of Life 7.4
- 11. Return to Peyton Place 7.4 (Debut: April 3, 1972)
- 12. The Secret Storm 7.4
- 13. One Life to Live 7.3
- 14. Somerset 6.5
- 15. Where the Heart Is 6.3
- 16. Bright Promise 6.1 (Final Season; ended March 31, 1972)
- 17. All My Children 5.7
1972–1973 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 10.6
- 2. Days of Our Lives 9.9
- 3. Another World 9.7/33 share
- 4. General Hospital 9.7/31 share
- 5. The Doctors 9.3
- 6. Search for Tomorrow 8.6
- 7. One Life to Live 8.3
- 8. All My Children 8.2/28 share
- 9. The Guiding Light 8.2/27 share
- 10. The Edge of Night 7.9
- 11. The Secret Storm 7.3
- 12. Love of Life 7.2
- 12. Return to Peyton Place 7.2
- 14. Love Is a Many Splendored Thing 7.1 (Final Season; ended March 23, 1973)
- 15. Somerset 6.8
- 16. Where the Heart Is 6.4 (Final Season; ended March 23, 1973)
- 17. The Young and the Restless 5.0 (Debut: March 26, 1973)
1973–1974 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 9.7/33 share
- 2. Another World 9.7/32 share
- 2. Days of Our Lives 9.7/32 share
- 4. The Doctors 9.5
- 5. General Hospital 9.2
- 6. All My Children 9.1
- 7. The Guiding Light 8.1
- 8. One Life to Live 7.8
- 9. Search for Tomorrow 7.7
- 10. The Edge of Night 7.4
- 11. Return to Peyton Place 7.0 (Final Season; ended January 4, 1974)
- 12. How to Survive a Marriage 6.4 (Debut: January 7, 1974)
- 13. The Young and the Restless 6.2
- 14. Somerset 6.1
- 15. Love of Life 6.0
- 16. The Secret Storm 5.8 (Final Season; ended February 8, 1974)
1974–1975 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 10.8
- 2. Another World 9.7
- 2. Days of Our Lives 9.7
- 4. Search for Tomorrow 9.4
- 5. All My Children 9.3
- 6. The Doctors 9.0
- 7. The Guiding Light 8.5/29 share
- 8. General Hospital 8.5/27 share
- 9. The Young and the Restless 8.4
- 10. The Edge of Night 7.6
- 11. One Life to Live 7.4
- 12. Love of Life 7.0
- 13. Somerset 6.0
- 14. How to Survive a Marriage 5.7 (Final Season; ended April 17, 1975)
1975–1976 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 9.4
- 2. Another World 8.9
- 3. The Young and the Restless 8.6
- 4. Search for Tomorrow 8.3
- 4. Days of Our Lives 8.3
- 6. All My Children 8.1/31 share
- 7. Guiding Light 8.1/30 share
- 8. The Doctors 7.3
- 9. Love of Life 7.3
- 10. General Hospital 7.2
- 11. One Life to Live 7.1
- 12. The Edge of Night 6.7 (moved from CBS to ABC on December 1, 1975)
- 13. Somerset 5.9
- 14. Ryan's Hope 5.7 (Debut: July 7, 1975)
1976–1977 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 9.9
- 2. Another World 9.0
- 3. Guiding Light 8.9
- 4. The Young and the Restless 8.7
- 5. Search for Tomorrow 8.6
- 6. All My Children 8.2
- 7. Days of Our Lives 7.8
- 8. Ryan's Hope 7.3/27 share
- 9. One Life to Live 7.3/26 share
- 10. General Hospital 7.0
- 11. The Doctors 6.9
- 12. Love of Life 6.3
- 13. The Edge of Night 6.2
- 14. Somerset 5.2 (Final Season; ended December 31, 1976)
- 15. Lovers and Friends 2.9 (Debut: January 3, 1977/Final Season; ended May 6, 1977)
1977–1978 Season
- 1. As the World Turns 8.6/31 share
- 2. Another World 8.6/28 share
- 3. All My Children 8.4/31 share
- 4. Guiding Light 8.0
- 5. The Young and the Restless 7.8
- 6. Search for Tomorrow 7.5
- 7. One Life to Live 7.2
- 8. Ryan's Hope 7.0/28 share
- 9. General Hospital 7.0/23 share
- 10. Days of Our Lives 6.9
- 11. The Doctors 6.5
- 12. Love of Life 6.0
- 13. The Edge of Night 5.2
- 14. For Richer, For Poorer (retooled Lovers and Friends) 3.9 (Debut: December 6, 1977)
1978–1979 Season
- 1. All My Children 9.0
- 2. General Hospital 8.7
- 3. The Young and the Restless 8.6
- 4. As the World Turns 8.2
- 5. Guiding Light 8.1
- 6. One Life to Live 8.0
- 7. Search for Tomorrow 7.6
- 8. Another World 7.5
- 9. Ryan's Hope 7.2
- 10. Days of Our Lives 6.8
- 11. The Doctors 6.3
- 12. Love of Life 5.8
- 12. The Edge of Night 5.8
- 14. For Richer, For Poorer 2.1 (Final Season; ended September 29, 1978)
1970s Rankings: #1: As the World Turns; #2: Another World; #3: Days of Our Lives
1979–1980 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.9
- 2. All My Children 9.2
- 3. The Young and the Restless 8.8
- 4. One Life to Live 8.7
- 5. Guiding Light 8.3
- 6. As the World Turns 7.9
- 7. Search for Tomorrow 7.6
- 8. Another World 7.1
- 9. Ryan's Hope 7.0
- 10. Days of Our Lives 6.6
- 11. The Doctors 6.1
- 12. The Edge of Night 5.3
- 13. Love of Life 3.5 (Final Season; ended February 1, 1980)
1980–1981 Season
- 1. General Hospital 11.4
- 2. All My Children 9.1/33 share
- 3. One Life to Live 9.1/32 share
- 4. Guiding Light 8.2
- 5. As the World Turns 7.9
- 6. The Young and the Restless 7.8
- 7. Ryan's Hope 6.7
- 8. Search for Tomorrow 6.3
- 9. Days of Our Lives 5.6
- 10. Another World 5.1
- 11. The Edge of Night 5.0
- 12. The Doctors 3.8
- 12.Texas (spin-off of Another World) 3.8 (Debuted August 4, 1980)
1981–1982 Season
- 1. General Hospital 11.2
- 2. All My Children 9.4
- 3. One Life to Live 9.3
- 4. Guiding Light 8.0
- 5. The Young and the Restless 7.4
- 5. As the World Turns 7.4
- 7. Ryan's Hope 6.9
- 8. Search for Tomorrow 6.8 (CBS, ended March 26, 1982)
- 9. Capitol 5.8 (Debuted March 29, 1982)
- 10. Days of Our Lives 5.5
- 11. The Edge Of Night 5.0
- 12. Another World 4.7
- 13. Texas 3.6
- 14. Search for Tomorrow 3.4 (NBC, debuted March 29, 1982)
- 15. The Doctors 3.3
1982–1983 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.8
- 2. All My Children 9.4
- 3. One Life to Live 9.1
- 4. The Young and the Restless 8.0
- 5. As the World Turns 7.6
- 6. Guiding Light 7.4
- 7. Capitol 6.0
- 8. Days of Our Lives 5.7
- 9. Ryan's Hope 5.6
- 10. Another World 4.8
- 11. The Edge of Night 3.8
- 12. Texas 2.7 (Final Season; ended December 31, 1982)
- 12. Search for Tomorrow 2.7
- 14. The Doctors 1.6 (Final Season; ended December 31, 1982)
1983–1984 Season
- 1. General Hospital 10.0
- 2. All My Children 9.1
- 3. The Young and the Restless 8.8
- 4. One Life to Live 8.2
- 5. Guiding Light 8.1
- 6. As the World Turns 7.9
- 7. Days of Our Lives 7.1
- 8. Capitol 6.4
- 9. Another World 5.6
- 10. Ryan's Hope 5.0
- 11. Loving 3.9 (Debuted June 26, 1983)
- 12. The Edge of Night 3.5
- 13. Search for Tomorrow 3.2
- 14. Santa Barbara 3.1 (Debuted July 30, 1984)
1984–1985 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.1
- 2. All My Children 8.2
- 3. The Young and the Restless 8.1
- 4. Guiding Light 7.5
- 5. One Life to Live 7.3
- 6. Days of Our Lives 7.1
- 6. As the World Turns 7.1
- 8. Capitol 5.8
- 9. Another World 5.5
- 10. Loving 4.1
- 11. Ryan's Hope 3.4
- 11. Santa Barbara 3.4
- 13. Search for Tomorrow 3.3
- 14. The Edge of Night 2.6 (Final Season; ended December 28, 1984)
1985–1986 Season
- 1. General Hospital 9.2
- 2. The Young and the Restless 8.3
- 3. All My Children 8.0
- 4. One Life to Live 7.8
- 5. Days of Our Lives 7.2
- 6. Guiding Light 6.8
- 7. As the World Turns 6.7
- 8. Capitol 5.1
- 8. Another World 5.1
- 10. Loving 4.2
- 10. Santa Barbara 4.2
- 12. Ryan's Hope 3.2
- 13. Search for Tomorrow 2.9
1986–1987 Season
- 1. General Hospital 8.3
- 2. The Young and the Restless 8.0
- 3. One Life to Live 7.2
- 4. All My Children 7.0
- 4. Days of Our Lives 7.0
- 4. As the World Turns 7.0
- 7. Guiding Light 6.3 (Overall 50th Anniversary Season, Radio and Television)
- 8. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.6 (Debuted March 23, 1987)
- 9. Capitol 5.2 (Final Season; ended March 20, 1987)
- 10. Another World 5.1
- 11. Santa Barbara 4.2
- 12. Loving 3.9
- 13. Ryan's Hope 2.7
- 14. Search for Tomorrow 2.5 (Final Season; ended December 26, 1986)
1987–1988 Season
- 1. General Hospital 8.7
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.7
- 3. All My Children 7.7
- 3. One Life to Live 7.7
- 5. Days of Our Lives 7.1
- 6. As the World Turns 6.6
- 7. Guiding Light 6.2
- 8. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.4
- 9. Another World 5.1
- 10. Santa Barbara 4.9
- 11. Loving 3.5
- 12. Ryan's Hope 2.8
1988–1989 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.1
- 2. General Hospital 7.5
- 3. One Life to Live 6.9
- 4. All My Children 6.7 (1:30-2:00 PM: 6.9)
- 5. Days of Our Lives 6.5 (1:30-2:00 PM: 6.7)
- 6. As the World Turns 6.4
- 7. Guiding Light 6.2
- 8. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.7
- 9. Another World 5.0
- 10. Santa Barbara 4.8
- 11. Loving 3.7
- 12. Generations 2.7 (Debuted March 27, 1989)
- 13. Ryan's Hope 2.4 (Final Season; ended January 13, 1989)
1980s Rankings: #1: General Hospital; #2: All My Children; #3: The Young and the Restless, #4: One Life to Live
1989–1990 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.0
- 2. General Hospital 7.4
- 3. All My Children 6.5
- 4. One Life to Live 6.3
- 5. As the World Turns 5.8
- 6. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.7
- 7. Days of Our Lives 5.4
- 7. Guiding Light 5.4
- 9. Another World 4.0
- 10. Santa Barbara 3.7
- 11. Loving 3.4
- 12. Generations 2.6
1990–1991 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.1
- 2. General Hospital 6.7
- 3. All My Children 6.3
- 4. As the World Turns 5.9
- 5. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.7
- 6. One Life to Live 5.3
- 7. Days of Our Lives 5.2
- 7. Guiding Light 5.2
- 9. Another World 3.8
- 10. Santa Barbara 3.2
- 11. Loving 3.0
- 12. Generations 2.4 (Final Season; ended January 25, 1991)
1991–1992 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.2
- 2. All My Children 6.8
- 3. As the World Turns 5.8
- 3. General Hospital 5.8
- 5. Guiding Light 5.6
- 6. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.5
- 7. One Life to Live 5.4
- 7. Days of Our Lives 5.4
- 9. Another World 4.1
- 10. Santa Barbara 3.1
- 11. Loving 2.8
1992–1993 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.4
- 2. All My Children 7.3
- 3. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.9
- 4. General Hospital 5.8
- 5. As the World Turns 5.7
- 6. One Life to Live 5.5
- 7. Guiding Light 5.4
- 8. Days of Our Lives 4.9
- 9. Another World 4.2
- 10. Santa Barbara 3.1 (Final Season; ended January 15, 1993)
- 11. Loving 2.8
1993–1994 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 8.6
- 2. All My Children 6.6
- 3. General Hospital 6.2
- 4. The Bold and the Beautiful 6.1
- 5. As the World Turns 5.8
- 6. One Life to Live 5.6
- 7. Days of Our Lives 5.6
- 8. Guiding Light 5.4
- 9. Another World 3.5
- 10. Loving 2.7
1994–1995 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 7.5
- 2. All My Children 6.1
- 3. General Hospital 5.6
- 4. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.5
- 5. One Life to Live 5.4
- 6. Days of Our Lives 5.3
- 7. As the World Turns 5.1
- 8. Guiding Light 4.4
- 9. Another World 3.1
- 10. Loving 2.3
1995–1996 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 7.6
- 2. Days of Our Lives 5.8
- 3. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.3
- 4. All My Children 5.2
- 5. General Hospital 5.0
- 6. As the World Turns 4.5
- 6. One Life To Live 4.5
- 8. Guiding Light 4.0
- 9. Another World 3.1
- 10. Loving 2.5 (Final Season; ended November 10, 1995, replaced by spin-off The City)
- 11. The City (spin-off of Loving) 2.2 (Debuted November 13, 1995)
1996–1997 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 7.1
- 2. Days of Our Lives 5.8
- 3. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.0
- 4. General Hospital 4.8
- 5. All My Children 4.7
- 6. As the World Turns 4.4
- 7. Guiding Light 4.0
- 7. One Life to Live 4.0
- 9. Another World 3.1
- 10. Port Charles (spin-off of General Hospital) 2.6 (First Season; debuted June 2, 1997, primetime pilot aired June 1, 1997)
- 11. The City 2.0 (Final Season; ended March 28, 1997)
- 12. Sunset Beach 1.8 (First Season; debuted January 6, 1997)
1997–1998 Season[3]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 6.8
- 2. Days of Our Lives 5.1
- 3. The Bold and the Beautiful 4.8
- 4. General Hospital 4.6
- 5. All My Children 4.2
- 6. As the World Turns 4.1
- 7. Guiding Light 4.0
- 7. One Life To Live 4.0
- 9. Another World 2.6
- 10. Port Charles 2.1
- 11. Sunset Beach 1.8
1998–1999 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 6.9
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 4.8
- 3. Days of Our Lives 4.7
- 4. General Hospital 4.4
- 5. All My Children 3.9
- 6. As the World Turns 3.8
- 7. One Life to Live 3.7
- 8. Guiding Light 3.5
- 9. Another World 2.4 (Final Season; ended June 25, 1999)
- 10. Port Charles 2.2
- 11. Passions 1.9 (First Season; debuted July 5, 1999)
- 12. Sunset Beach 1.7
1990s Rankings: #1: The Young and the Restless; #2: All My Children; #3: General Hospital
1999–2000 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 6.8
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 5.1
- 3. Days of Our Lives 4.2
- 4. General Hospital 4.0
- 5. All My Children 3.9
- 6. As the World Turns 3.8
- 7. One Life to Live 3.7
- 8. Guiding Light 3.6
- 9. Port Charles 2.4
- 10. Passions 2.2
- 11. Sunset Beach 1.4 (Final Season; ended December 31, 1999)
2000–2001 Season[4]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 5.8
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 4.4
- 3. Days of Our Lives 3.8
- 4. General Hospital 3.7
- 4. One Life To Live 3.7
- 5. As The World Turns 3.6
- 6. All My Children 3.4
- 6. Guiding Light 3.4
- 9. Passions 2.2
- 10. Port Charles 1.9
2001–2002 Season[5]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 5.0
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3.9
- 3. Days of Our Lives 3.6
- 4. General Hospital 3.4
- 5. As the World Turns 3.3
- 5. All My Children 3.3
- 7. One Life to Live 3.2
- 8. Guiding Light 3.0 (50th Anniversary Season — Television only)
- 9. Passions 2.1
- 10. Port Charles 1.8
2002–2003 Season[6]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 4.7
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3.7
- 3. General Hospital 3.5
- 4. As The World Turns 3.1
- 4. Days of Our Lives 3.1
- 6. All My Children 3.0
- 6. One Life To Live 3.0
- 8. Guiding Light 2.6
- 9. Passions 2.0
- 10. Port Charles 1.7 (Final Season; ended October 3, 2003; most affiliates stopped carrying after September 12, 2003)[7]
2003–2004 Season[8]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 4.4
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3.3
- 3. General Hospital 3.2
- 4. Days of Our Lives 3.1
- 5. All My Children 2.9
- 5. As the World Turns 2.9
- 7. One Life to Live 2.8
- 8. Guiding Light 2.4
- 9. Passions 2.0
2004–2005 Season[9]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 4.2
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3.2
- 3. General Hospital 2.9
- 4. All My Children 2.8
- 5. One Life To Live 2.7
- 5. As the World Turns 2.7
- 5. Days of Our Lives 2.7
- 8. Guiding Light 2.3
- 9. Passions 1.9
2005–2006 Season[10]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 4.2
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3.2
- 3. General Hospital 2.7
- 4. As the World Turns 2.6 (50th Anniversary Season)
- 4. One Life to Live 2.6
- 4. Days of Our Lives 2.6
- 4. All My Children 2.6
- 8. Guiding Light 2.2
- 9. Passions 1.6
2006–2007 Season[11]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 4.2
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 3.0
- 3. General Hospital 2.7
- 4. All My Children 2.4
- 4. One Life to Live 2.4
- 6. As The World Turns 2.3
- 6. Days of Our Lives 2.3
- 8. Guiding Light 2.1
- 9. Passions 1.5 (Second-to-last season; last episode broadcast on NBC on September 7, 2007; moved to The 101 Network on September 17, and ended on August 7, 2008)
2007–2008 Season[12]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.9
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.8
- 3. General Hospital 2.4
- 4. As The World Turns 2.2
- 5. One Life To Live 2.1
- 5. All My Children 2.1
- 5. Days of Our Lives 2.1
- 8. Guiding Light 1.8
2008–2009 Season[13]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.7
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.6
- 3. Days of Our Lives 2.2
- 4. General Hospital 2.1
- 5. All My Children 2.0
- 5. One Life to Live 2.0
- 7. As the World Turns 1.9
- 8. Guiding Light 1.6 (Final Season; ended September 18, 2009)
2000s Rankings: #1: The Young and the Restless; #2: The Bold and the Beautiful; #3: General Hospital
2009–2010 Season[14]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.7
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.4
- 3. Days of Our Lives 2.2
- 4. General Hospital 2.1
- 5. All My Children 2.0
- 6. One Life to Live 1.9
- 7. As the World Turns 1.8 (Final Season; ended September 17, 2010)
2010–2011 Season[15]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.6
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.2
- 3. General Hospital 2.1
- 4. Days of Our Lives 2.0
- 5. One Life to Live 2.0
- 6. All My Children 1.9 (Final Season; ended September 23, 2011)
2011–2012 Season[16][17]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.5
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.4
- 3. One Life to Live 2.1 (Final Season; ended January 13, 2012)
- 4. Days of Our Lives 2.0
- 5. General Hospital 2.0
2012–2013 Season[18]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.6 (40th Anniversary Season)
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.6
- 3. General Hospital 2.2 (50th Anniversary Season)
- 4. Days of Our Lives 2.1
2013–2014 Season[19][20]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.4
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.6
- 3. General Hospital 2.2
- 4. All My Children 2.1 (TOLN Debut/Final Season)
- 5. One Life To Live 2.0 (TOLN Debut/Final Season)
- 6. Days of Our Lives 1.9
2014–2015 Season[21]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.5
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.7
- 3. General Hospital 2.1
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.8
2015–2016 Season[22]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.4
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.7
- 3. General Hospital 2.1
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.8 (50th Anniversary Season)
2016–2017 Season[23]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.2
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.6 (30th Anniversary Season)
- 3. General Hospital 1.9
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.6
2017–2018 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.1 (45th Anniversary Season)
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.5
- 3. General Hospital 1.8 (55th Anniversary Season)
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.6
2018–2019 Season
- 1. The Young and the Restless 3.0
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.4
- 3. General Hospital 1.7
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.6
2019–2020 Season[24]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 2.6
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.2
- 3. General Hospital 1.6
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.4
2020–2021 Season[25]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 2.3
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.0
- 3. General Hospital 1.5
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.2
2021–2022 Season[26]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 2.3
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.0 (35th Anniversary Season)
- 3. General Hospital 1.5
- 4. Days of Our Lives 1.2 (Final season on NBC; ended September 9, 2022; moved to Peacock September 12, 2022)
2022–2023 Season[27]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 2.2 (50th Anniversary Season)
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 2.0
- 3. General Hospital 1.4 (60th Anniversary Season)
2023–2024 Season[28]
- 1. The Young and the Restless 2.2
- 2. The Bold and the Beautiful 1.9
- 3. General Hospital 1.4
Waggett (1997). "Soap Opera Nielsen Ratings". Soap Opera Encyclopedia. pp. 626-628.
"2001". SON Community. 18 May 2008.
"2002". SON Community. 19 January 2008.
"2003". SON Community. 19 January 2008.
"2004". SON Community. 25 October 2006.