On the heels of celebrating its 12,000th episode, NBC has extended its long-running daytime drama “Days of our Lives” for an additional year, taking the show through September 2014 and past its 48th year anniversary in November 2013. The extension was announced today by Jennifer Salke, President, NBC Entertainment. The 12,000th episode will air this Friday, January 11.
“We are thrilled to announce that “Days of our Lives” is not going anywhere. It is NBC’s longest-running drama series by far and is one of the most historic brands in television,” said Salke. “We commend Ken Corday and the entire creative team on continuing to keep the stories and characters fresh, exciting and relevant year after year.”
Executive producer Ken Corday follows in the tradition of his parents, Betty and Ted Corday, who co-created “Days of our Lives” and helmed the series for many years.
“After so many years in the homes and hearts of our loyal fans, I’m both humbled and elated to say it’s 2013 and we’re still going strong,” said Corday. “I am equally proud that the sense of family which my mom and dad established in our show 48 years ago, is still what drives it today. As we celebrate our 12,000th episode with an amazing cast and great support from our network, we look forward to what’s yet to come!”
“Days of our Lives” first premiered as a half-hour drama in 1965 and expanded to an hour 10 years later. In its 47-plus years, “Days of our Lives” has garnered a staggering 215 Daytime Emmy nominations and 32 wins, including a recent Emmy win for Outstanding Writing as well as a GLAAD Award win for Outstanding Daily Drama. In an era where many soap operas are going off the air, this is truly an amazing achievement.
