Soap Opera Digest Online
By Alton Jerome McFarland
Soap Opera Digest Online (located at http://www.soapdigest.com)
is a site dedicated to reporting the latest news in the world of soap
operas. The website is the complement to Soap Opera Digest, the magazine.
Now, though, interested readers have access to a lot more information
than could be provided inside any one magazine.
The site's design is reminiscent of a more traditional online news
site. The main page is filled headlines that link to articles about
the latest rumors and events. There are also links to archived features,
interviews, etc. Websurfers also have the ability to view synopses
of the latest episode of their favorite show, as well as browse through
synopses of old episodes. This feature, in particular, is an example
of something that was impossible to provide before the internet. Now,
someone who wants to check out a new soap can easily find out the
recent history of the characters, get caught up on plotlines, etc.
Before, weeks of watching might be required to learn the necessary
information to fully enjoy an unfamiliar soap opera.
Another great feature the site offers is its message board. Although
message boards are nothing new to the web, a site like Soap Opera
Digest Online can utilize their capabilities like few others. Soap
operas, by their very nature, are designed to stimulate conversation.
Message boards allow such conversations to span the entire globe.
Now, soap watchers can not only talk/argue with their friends about
what a certain character should do, but they can also express their
opinions to complete strangers. The ability to foster this kind of
active participation is also very good for the soap operas, since
missing the next episode could mean missing out on the next great
message board argument. That cycle of media consumption can keep people
coming back to the site and going back to watch the shows time and
time again.