The latest network television broadcast ratings are out for the week of August 10-14, 2026 and it revealed that while all four daytime dramas took a hit in viewers from the previous week, it was the top rated The Young and the Restless which saw the largest viewer decline.

According to Soap Opera Network, Y&R lost – 161,000 eyeballs from the previous week, even though it is still the most-watched soap opera in the U.S. with 3,041,000 tuning-in. The storylines for the week included: Nick’s (Joshua Morrow) nightmare after getting high and relapsing and checking into a seedy motel. He later crosses path with another addict, Marie Kirkland (Jade Harlow), with whom he has sex with, but then she OD’s.

In addition, Y&R also showcased that week, Billy (Jason Thompson) making a bold play to stake his claim on Chancellor, causing Jack (Peter Bergman) and others concern. Devon (Bryton James) and Nate (Sean Dominic) charting new career paths for themselves, and Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) struggling to help their children, Nick and Victoria (Amelia Heinle), while after renewing their vows, still battling over Jack Abbott in their lives.

Photo: CBS

THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL

Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful came in second again in overall viewers for the ratings period and lost the second most viewers of the week with – 59,000, but still came in with 2,676,000 in total audience.

The storyline involved Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood), Finn (Tanner Novlan) and Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) in Monaco, which led to Steffy leaving Finn due to his mother’s presence and lying to her that she was in the country, plus Daphne (Murielle Hilaire) walking away from Carter (Lawrence Saint-Victor) after she could not handle not being able to have his child.

Courtesy/ABC

GENERAL HOSPITAL

Over at General Hospital, the show was only down -22,000 week over week, tallying 1,848,000, which is still down and not back over the 2 million mark, which they had been in some previous weeks. In story, Michael (Rory Gibson) gets to Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) just in time after Jacinda (Paige Herschell) drugged her. As Willow was high, she was about to take Amelia and Wiley for a drive when Michael intervened.

Michael later had an emotional goodbye with Jacinda where he paid her off to start a new life somewhere else, so her actions did not come back to bite him in his effort to secure custody of his children from Willow.

Photo: CBS

BEYOND THE GATES

Finally, Beyond the Gates actually saw the smallest loss of viewers for the week only down -3,000 and coming in at 1,648,000. In addition, Beyond the Gates topped General Hospital in key demos for 3rd place in the women 18-49, and women 25-54 rating shares.

In story, Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett) is rushed to the hospital after he suddenly becomes ill as Hayley’s (Marquita Goings) plan to get him out of the country gets derailed and Andre Richardson (Sean Freeman) receiving ominous messages from someone from his past, which eventually turns out to be The Impaler herself, Heather Armstrong (Ashley Jones).

ALL SOAP OPERAS UP IN VIEWERSHIP YEAR-OVER-YEAR

The good news is that year over year, all four network daytime dramas are exceeding last August of 2025.  According to the ratings report, The Young and the Restless is up year-over-year +82,000, The Bold and the Beautiful, which far and away has had the best season in 2026, is way ahead of last year at this time with + 234,000, General Hospital slightly up +54,000 and Beyond the Gates doing much better than last year with +144,000.

It should be noted: The ratings numbers reflected use the Live+Same Day Big Data+ Panel viewing and DVR playback, defined as 3:00 a.m.-3:00 a.m., and are courtesy of Nielsen. Ratings are the percentage of U.S. TV viewers who tuned in to a specific program.

So, what do you think about how your favorite soap opera performed in the latest ratings period? Which show is piquing your interest? Which is not at all? Share your thoughts via the comment section below and weigh-in.

One of the hot button topics in soap opera’s this week has been that The Young and the Restless; Kyle Abbott (Michael Mealor) and Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle) took their relationship to a whole other level, after drinking some whiskey … but, of course!

On the Thursday, August 27 episode, as the Kyle and Victoria were in the Jabot offices, teasing each other with the plan to relaunch Vibrante by manufacturing a conflict with Jabot, the two got hot and bothered. Complete with lines of dialog such as Victoria saying, “Kyle, I am so going to love knocking this swagger out of you,” and Kyle whispering to her, “It’s going to make winning that much sweeter.”

Suddenly, Kyle leans in for a passionately charged kiss and we are off to the races as Kyle locks the office door and clothes begin to go flying. In the pick-up later in the episode, Kyle and Victoria are laying on the Jabot office couch covered in rugs err blankets.

Photo: JPI

FROM WHISKEY TO THE COUCH

In that moment, the two are a bit mortified from their actions and that they let their attraction get this far. After all, she is a Newman and he is an Abbott, and the two waring families don’t mix, plus there is an element of the older woman/younger man drama going on too. But, it appears that this seeming forbidden love, try as the two might, is not going to be a one time thing as much as they protest.

Victoria tells Kyle in the aftermath, “We definitely had too much celebratory whiskey,” and Kyle agreed, and added  that they were just so “excited” about their new project and venture together.

Kyle asks if this is a one-time thing. Victoria responds, “definitely.” However, Kyle acknowledges the truth of it saying, “It was pretty great, though.” After they get dressed and prepare to leave the office, Kyle turned back for one more kiss. Victoria swore him to secrecy, as he pronounced that no one will ever know what happened between them.In the end, and as the episode comes to its conclusion, it’s clear, Kyle and Victoria are thinking of each other.

WHAT’S AHEAD NOW FOR KYLE AND VICTORIA?

Speaking with Soap Opera Digest on the romantic story turn between the two characters, Michael Mealor previewed what’s to come, expressing, “What we’ve been doing over the last month or so or however long, it only gets better and it gets more intriguing. And it’s really gonna have the viewers really pick sides.”

However, where the story ultimately goes depends on newly-planted Y&R co-head writers Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, whose stories will not be seen on-air until October. Until then, this was the story laid out by exited head scribe, Josh Griffith.

So, what did you think of Kyle and Victoria having sex? Are you on Team Yay, Yuck or Don’t Care? Let us know where you stand as of now via the comment section below.

When The Young and the Restless shows the more tender side of the mighty Victor Newman, it often breaks out hearts, puts a lump in our throats, and makes us appreciate the over four decades plus of work from the iconic Eric Braeden, who this year is also nominated for the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series at the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmys.

Now, on the Wednesday, August 26 episode of the CBS soap opera, Victor comes to visit his son Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) while he is recovering in rehab for his drug addiction. The scenes delivered poignant performances by Joshua Morrow and Braeden.

In the scene, Victor tells his son, “If I was too hard on you when you grew up, maybe I was. That’s on me.” Nick responds with shame, “You weren’t. Dad, you never would have let this happen to you.” Victor says, “Son, there but for the grace of God go I, and so many others I know. Don’t you feel this way. You didn’t want this.”

YOUR FATHER IS IN YOUR CORNER

Victor assures Nick,  “I know this is very, very difficult for you. I understand that. For all of us. I just want you to know that your father is in your corner. You will never do this alone. We’re in this together. Do you understand that? And together we’ll fight this.”

In addition, Victor tells Nick he is proud of him for not giving up and trying to battle his demons. Nick opens about about meeting Marie (Jade Harlow). Victor gathers they’re getting close. Nick admits he likes having her there in rehab with him.

Victor addresses his concern that Marie might drag Nick down since she is an addict herself. Nick understands, but says they’re all responsible for themselves and their actions.

At the end of their visit, Victor tells Nick, “If you need anything from any of us, let us know.” Victor then proceeds to get up and embrace his son before he leaves, which is hard for a father to walk away from his son knowing what a harrowing and difficult time Nick is going through. He tells Nick, “You’re my boy and you will overcome this and I’m proud of you.”

You can check out the key moments from the scenes between Nick and Victor below.

Then let us know, what did you think of the touching speech delivered by Eric Braeden as Victor to Nick? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.