While networks have seen a collective erosion over the years of the soap opera viewing audience, they are still the most loyal and fierce of any entertainment genre.

With NBC’s decision to take Days of our Lives off of the network after nearly 57 years, and replace it with another daytime news program, they would surely have a rocky road ahead of them to capture viewers in that time slot; especially now that DAYS was moved exclusively to NBCUniversal’s streaming platform, Peacock.

Nothing was more proof positive of that, than the first week ratings and performance of NBC News Daily.

The news show which premiered on Monday, September 12th came in last for the ratings period of all daytime shows for the week.

According to SON: NBC News Daily averaged 935,000 viewers, was last among Total Viewers and last in the key demo ratings: Women 18-49 (tie) and Women 25-54.

In comparison to DAYS last week on NBC, and a year ago, NBC News Daily was down -744,000 and -762,000 viewers, respectively.

NBC News Daily features the latest national and international news, plus consumer, health, and personal finance segments and is hosted by Kate Snow, Aaron Gilchrist, Morgan Redford and Vicky Nguyen.

So, will ‘NBC News Daily’ find itself facing the same fate as ABC’s defunct ‘Revolution’, which replaced One Life to Live, and lasted only six months, or will the news program somehow turn a ratings corner? Does NBC really care one way or the other? Share your thoughts below.

Days of our Lives favorite, Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady) has signed a multi-picture overall  deal with the Hallmark Media.

According to Deadline, as part of Sweeney’s new deal she will star and executive produce A Magical Christmas Village with also stars Luke McFarlane and Marlo Thomas.  The movie will premiere later this year during the Hallmark Channel’s Countdown to Christmas.

In story, Sweeney plays Summer, an architect living in a small town where she’s raising her young daughter Chloe. When her mother Vivian (Thomas) finds herself in need of a place to live, her orderly life becomes a little less so after inviting Vivian to move in with them during this transition. Upon arrival, Vivian sets up an heirloom, miniature Christmas village resembling their town, and tells Chloe it grants Christmas wishes. As Chloe begins setting up the figurines, real-life events seem to mimic the scenes she creates, including Summer’s chance meeting with Ryan (Macfarlane), a newcomer to their community.

In a statement on inking the pact with Hallmark Media, Sweeney shared: “I am thrilled to continue to work with Hallmark as they continue to support my work as an actress and as a producer. I’m very proud of our Christmas movie and excited for the future projects to come!”

Lisa Hamilton Daly, Executive Vice President, Programming, Hallmark Media, added:  “Alison Sweeney has been an incredible creative partner for us over the years – both on screen as well as behind the camera as a producer. She’s long been a fan favorite and we can’t wait to continue our work together as we bring new stories to life.”

Sweeney has been making story arc visits to Days of our Lives in recent years.  No word if she will be making a return to the series now that its permanently on Peacock.

So, will you be checking out Alison’s new movie when it comes out in time for holiday season? Comment below.

That didn’t take long! A TV movie based on the Johnny Depp/Amber Heard defamation case is set to have its premiere on September 30th on Tubi.

Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial will follow the tumultuous relationship in court and out of Depp and his ex-wife in a dramatization of the two-month long defamation trial that captivated the public.

Photo: AP

Taking on the role of motion-picture star Johnny Depp will be none other than former Days of our Lives cast member, Mark Hapka (Ex-Nathan Horton). Hapka played Nathan from 2007-2011 on the daytime drama series.

Megan Davis will star opposite Hapka in the role of Aquaman star, Amber Heard.

In a statement, Adam Lewinson, Chief Content Officer for Tubi, shared:  “Hot Take: The Depp/Heard Trial has ‘Hot Take’ in the title for a reason.  With our partners at MarVista, this Tubi Original was fast-tracked into production to capture a timely take on a story that became part of the cultural zeitgeist, painting a unique picture of what millions watched play out in the headlines over the summer.”

So, what are your thoughts of the casting of Hapka as Depp, and do you think it’s too soon for a movie based on a trial that just wrapped a few months ago in June to be released? Comment below.