Some Beyond the Gates viewers are losing interest after six months

Has the newness worn off of BTG?

Seasoned soap opera fans immediately recognize crucial warning signs when watching Beyond the Gates. This is not idle criticism, but the result of decades spent watching many soap operas and knowing what makes them thrive and endure.

It’s acknowledged that the CBS soap is a hit and has maintained decent ratings, but staying power is the issue. Initially news outlets were saying that BTG was ahead of GH. The cast and fans were excited but wiser heads AKA longtime soap fans said give it time for the newness to wear off.

This is the six month mark and ratings have slipped. Older soap opera lovers say the new CBS soap has fallen short of a main ingredients which is the depth that has made The Young and the Restless, General Hospital, The Bold and the Beautiful, and Days of Our Lives beloved.

The Fairmont Crest residents are portrayed as superficially dramatic and wealthy, but they lack the nuanced character development that keeps audiences invested for decades.

BTG characters don't seem realistic

The rich and powerful residents of Genoa City, the LA fashion world, Salem, and Port Charles are a bit down to earth. They scheme and scam, blackmail, lie, and cheat, but are more believable. They mix and mingle with those who are not so affluent. Several older African American women have described the BTG characters as ratchet and ghetto and not a good representation of the Black community.

It takes time for soap fans to get to know and enjoy or hate daytime characters. Longtime viewers say the BTG gang come across as stereotypes and caricatures and wonder if they will be relevant within six more months or a year or two.

The recent ratings are down

The newest soap was on top initially when it debuted in February and had more viewers than GH, but consider the ratings for August 18–21. DOOL is not listed because it airs on the Peacock streaming service which does not release ratings.

1. Y&R 2,937,000

2. B&B 2,426,000

3. GH 1,891,000

4. BTG 1,515,000

Older soap fans share their opinion

Older soap fans like to take their time and learn the history of the characters and their families. BTG thrusts a lot at the viewers fast and furious without time to digest it all.

Ratings can change, but the patterns of the CBS and ABC soaps have remained pretty consistent over the years. Y&R has been number one for decades, followed by sister soap B&B, but BTG airing at the same time as GH may have hurt both shows by splitting the viewing audience of each.

Everyone who enjoys the Genoa City drama does not stay tuned to find out what is going on in the LA fashion world. Even more check out at 2:00 p.m. and were not watching what happened in Port Charles even before Fairmont Crest came along.

Ratings can change

It’s understood that if BTG were cancelled, the fans would not automatically tune in to General Hospital. Older soap viewers who have discussed this on social media say they cannot get used to the pace of BTG and have stopped watching.

The big question is whether CBS will continue to carry the soap if it remains at the bottom. Ultimately, BTG’s success depends on whether it can develop the substance and character depth that sustains other soap operas.

Only time will show if viewers abandon the series or if it secures another renewal. We will take another look in February after Beyond the Gates marks its one year anniversary and she how things shape up.