0 a series of television or radio programmes about the lives and problems of a particular group of characters. The series continues over a long period and is broadcast (several times) every week. --
1 a television program, usually broadcast five days a week, about the lives of a particular group of characters --
I agree with that, but a more insidious and troubling problem is caused less by drama and more by soap opera.
I have never heard in many months such an entertaining, ebullient and amusing form of soap opera.
We have an opportunity to end that soap opera.
The brass band world is as full of drama and fierce rivalries as any soap opera.
We are now offered the prospect of documentary mountains and soap opera lakes simply to meet some daft and rigid quota system.
If it is a quiz show it should be well done; if it is a soap opera it should be well done.
That is turning current affairs and historical affairs into a soap opera.
The media could assist by factual reporting of the serious substance of our debates rather than portraying politics as a celebrity-driven soap opera.