[Redway]

It’s had problems since 2002-ish but it stopped being watchable in the Newman era and has never recovered since despite two good stock years (2014 and 2019) in that interval. Even Gavin and Stacey couldn’t keep more than 5 million watching Eastenders this Christmas so you can see how much damage has been done to the brand.

If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s fun to take the piss out of it on here I probably wouldn’t still be watching for the most part.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Redway

It’s had problems since 2002-ish but it stopped being watchable in the Newman era and has never recovered since despite two good stock years (2014 and 2019) in that interval. Even Gavin and Stacey couldn’t keep more than 5 million watching Eastenders this Christmas so you can see how much damage has been done to the brand.

If it wasn’t for the fact that it’s fun to take the piss out of it on here I probably wouldn’t still be watching for the most part.

I don't think you can really judge off ratings like that anymore. TV ratings are plummeting as are soaps viewership across the board. The fact EE was the highest rated soap is an achievement considering the last few years of it falling behind ED.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

I don't think you can really judge off ratings like that anymore. TV ratings are plummeting as are soaps viewership across the board. The fact EE was the highest rated soap is an achievement considering the last few years of it falling behind ED.

But the fact is that EastEnders has bled the most viewers out of all the soaps over the past ten years. Changing viewing climates and technology has a lot to do with it but given the state of the show this decade compared to Corrie and Emmerdale (for the most part) a lot more of it ak be down to people actually switching off in droves.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Redway

But the fact is that EastEnders has bled the most viewers out of all the soaps over the past ten years. Changing viewing climates and technology has a lot to do with it but given the state of the show this decade compared to Corrie and Emmerdale (for the most part) a lot more of it ak be down to people actually switching off in droves.

Not really. If you're comparing it to the show's highest peaks those were only really for special occasions anyway. It was never the norm even ten years ago.

[Redway]

Originally Posted by Marsh.

Not really. If you're comparing it to the show's highest peaks those were only really for special occasions anyway. It was never the norm even ten years ago.

It’s still a lot of viewers to lose in a short space of time. I’m not sure how much is down to technological advances alone.

[Redway]

I’m not one of those nostalgic people who look back on Santer’s so-called golden era with rose-tinted spectacles either. Outside his fluke first year the show wasn’t amazing outside blockbuster episodes and moments but something changed in viewer perception around 2012/13 and not for the better. Only DTC managed to recapture a bit of casual interest.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Redway

I’m not one of those nostalgic people who look back on Santer’s so-called golden era with rose-tinted spectacles either. Outside his fluke first year the show wasn’t amazing outside blockbuster episodes and moments but something changed in viewer perception around 2012/13 and not for the better. Only DTC managed to recapture a bit of casual interest.

For all his faults DTC was imaginative. That's what's lacking now. Oates' BenEnders is getting so tediously repetitive already.

[Marsh.]

Originally Posted by Redway

It’s still a lot of viewers to lose in a short space of time. I’m not sure how much is down to technological advances alone.

They've lost viewers for all kinds of reasons, no doubt about it.

But in an era when it can beat the other soaps with a measly 5m on Christmas Day and still make the top 10 of the day then it's not as drastic as people make out IMO