<P> As with all other network programming, Days of Our Lives' ratings have declined somewhat since the 1990s . In January 2007 it was suggested by NBC that the show "is unlikely to continue (on NBC) past 2009 ." In November 2008, in an eleventh - hour decision, it was announced the show had been renewed through September 2010 . The 18 - month renewal was down from its previous renewal, which was for five years . The show made somewhat of a comeback in 2009, with ratings increasing as the year progressed . In March 2010, the show was renewed once again through September 2011; then again on November 8, 2010, its 45th anniversary, the show was renewed for two more years through September 2013, with an option for an additional year which would keep the soap on through 2014, its 49th year on the air . The series received a two - year renewal in January 2014 that is set to last until September 2016 . Beginning on November 8, 2010, which marked Days of Our Lives' 45th anniversary, the show began airing in high definition . </P> <P> The show was officially "rebooted" on September 26, 2011, in an effort to gain back its lapsed audience, appeal to long - term loyal fans, begin new stories, and boost ratings . Former fan favorite characters were reintroduced as part of the reboot . These included Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford), Carrie Brady (Christie Clark), and Austin Reed (Patrick Muldoon). All three, including actress Sarah Brown, were fired from the show in an effort to lower production costs . The reboot was met with mixed reviews from critics . Head writers hired to handle the reboot, Marlene McPherson, and Darrell Ray Thomas Junior were subsequently fired due to declining ratings . Chris Whitesell, and former Days executive producer Gary Tomlin were rehired after being fired as part of the show's revamp . Daytime Emmy award winner Lorraine Broderick was hired as a member of the breakdown writing team in April 2012 . Days of Our Lives is noted as the fourth longest running soap opera in the United States . </P> <P> On November 30, 2014, NBC launched a new logo for Days of Our Lives at the 2014 Hollywood Christmas Parade, in celebration of the series' fiftieth anniversary On February 11, 2016, NBC renewed Days of Our Lives for one - year, with the option of an additional year . In January 2017, while discussion the potential of a renewal for the soap, NBC chairman Bob Greenblatt stated: "We don't make a decision for another couple months . (...) But I don't think it's over yet ." In February 2017, NBC officially renewed Days of Our Lives for an additional year . Jennifer Salke, President of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement: "We feel so privileged to be able to continue the remarkable legacy of Days of our Lives . (...) We thank (exec producer) Ken Corday and his team for their incredible accomplishments and look forward to all the stories from Salem that will continue to unfold ." </P> <P> When Days of Our Lives premiered in 1965, the show revolved around the tragedies and triumphs of the suburban Horton family . Over time, additional families were brought to the show to interact with the Hortons and serve as springboards for more dramatic storylines . Originally led by patriarch Dr. Tom Horton and his wife, homemaker Alice, the Hortons remain a prominent fixture in current continuity . One of the longest - running story lines involved the rape of Mickey Horton's wife Laura by Mickey's brother Bill . Laura confides in her father - in - law Dr. Tom, and the two agree that her husband Mickey should never know . The secret, involving the true parentage of Michael Horton (a product of the rape) and Mickey's subsequent health issues as a result of the revelation, spanned episodes from 1968 to 1975 . This plotline was made even more complex with the presence of Linda Patterson (originally Margaret Mason for many years, later Elaine Princi) who claimed that her daughter Melissa had been fathered by Mickey . When Mickey married the lovely Maggie Simmons (Suzanne Rogers), Linda became even more involved in the story line as the show's main villainess, marrying the wealthy Bob Anderson (Mark Tapscott) and taking over the running of Anderson Manufacturing when he became ill . The story line involving Mickey, Laura and Bill was the first to bring the show to prominence, and put it near the top of the Nielsen daytime ratings . Another love triangle, between lounge singer Doug Williams, Tom and Alice's daughter Addie, and Addie's own daughter, Julie, proved to be very popular around the same time . The storyline culminated in the death of Addie in 1974 and the marriage of Doug and Julie in 1976 . </P>

New cast member of days of our lives