Why CBS Soaps Are Preempted During March Madness.
Fans of CBS daytime shows sometimes notice their favorite soaps suddenly disappear from the schedule in March. If you’ve tuned in expecting a new episode only to find basketball instead, there’s a simple explanation.
Every year, CBS adjusts its daytime schedule to make room for March Madness coverage, which often means CBS soaps are preempted.
This means regularly programming for Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless is interrupted.
Why CBS Interrupts Soap Operas
The tournament is one of the biggest sporting events in the United States. Millions of viewers tune in to watch the games, especially during the early rounds when multiple matchups happen throughout the day.
Because many of these games air during daytime hours, CBS temporarily replaces parts of its regular schedule — including soap operas — to broadcast the tournament.
This is not unusual. The schedule change happens annually during the first week of the tournament.
Which CBS Soaps Are Affected by March Madness?
CBS daytime programming can be affected during tournament coverage. That includes long-running soap operas that normally air in the afternoon.
Episodes may be skipped in some markets or delayed depending on local affiliate schedules.
When Do CBS Soaps Return?
The interruptions are usually temporary. In this year’s schedule, the changes affect broadcasts on Thursday and Friday. Once the daytime tournament coverage ends, the network returns to its normal programming lineup, and soaps continue with new episodes. Beyond the Gates, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless all return with new episodes on Monday, March 23.
If a game runs long or overlaps with a scheduled broadcast window, local stations sometimes adjust their schedules as well.
Why This Happens Every Year
March Madness has been part of CBS’s sports programming for decades. Because the early rounds take place during weekday afternoons, daytime television is often affected.
For soap fans, the best approach is simply checking the local schedule during tournament week.
Photo Credit: CBS Broadcasting Inc.
CBS sometimes interrupts its daytime schedule during the early rounds of the NCAA basketball tournament, commonly known as March Madness. Because many games take place during weekday afternoons, the network airs tournament coverage instead of its regular programming, which can temporarily preempt daytime soap operas.
When the schedule changes for tournament coverage, CBS daytime shows may be affected depending on the timing of the games. Long-running soaps like The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful are sometimes preempted or delayed in certain markets. Meanwhile, soap newbie Beyond the Gates will also be preempted.
The preemptions are usually short-term. Once the daytime basketball coverage ends or moves to different time slots, CBS returns to its normal daytime lineup and soap episodes continue airing as scheduled on Monday, March 23.
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