The popularity of soap operas on radio made them a natural for the new
medium of television, where soaps quickly became an audience favorite.
As television soap operas developed, so did the level of sophistication
in delivery, writing and production. This history of television's golden
age soaps begins with an overview of earlier serialized entertainments.
An analysis of early TV soap stars, personnel and production follows,
taking 40 programs into account. Ensuing chapters offer in-depth
treatments of the serials Search for Tomorrow, Love of Life, The
Guiding Light, The Secret Storm, As the World Turns and The Edge
of Night. Appendices include chronological and alphabetical directories
of period daytime serials and rankings of the durability of programs,
actors and actresses, announcers and sponsors.