Surprising Stories from the Set of Days of Our Lives

When Days of Our Lives premiered in 1965, it aired as a 30-minute daytime drama, fitting the standard soap opera format of the era. For its first decade, stories unfolded at a slower, more intimate pace.

In 1975, the show expanded to a full hour, dramatically changing its scope. The longer runtime allowed for more characters, layered storylines, and deeper emotional arcs. That shift helped Days of Our Lives grow into a more ambitious and enduring soap, setting the stage for its long-term success.