Have We Outgrown 'All My Children'? 41-Year-Old Soap May Be Cancelled Soon

After "The Guiding Light," "As the World Turns," and "Passions" all fell prey to bad ratings and eventual cancellation over the past five years, soap operas should be on their toes: any one of them could be next. In fact, the next soap to fall might just be "All My Children."

The 41-year-old soap opera (yes, it's been running since 1970!) has been suffering in the daytime ratings, causing rumors to arise that the show might not be long for this world.

Just a decade ago, the show had a 3.4 household rating, but that number has dropped to a 2.0 rating as of last year's season.

But "All My Children" parent network ABC is staying positive...or at least denying any problems. In a statement via email, a representative for the network called the rumor that the show might be cancelled "just another story in a long line of stories about this same topic."

"All My Children" is currently the 4th longest running soap opera still on the air behind "General Hospital," "Days of our Lives," and "One Life to Live," two of which air on ABC. Last year, "All My Children" creator Agnes Nixon received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Daytime Emmys.