Rec.arts.tv.soaps.cbs

Rec.arts.tv.soaps.cbs is a newsgroup which was created in 1994 after the dissolution of rec.arts.tv.soaps. It (along with rec.arts.tv.soaps.abc and rec.arts.tv.soaps.misc) was created due to increasing traffic (around 300 posts per day) and difficulty in reading the previous group. The first posts in the Google groups archive from RATSC were written on December 4, 1994. In 2004, the group averaged 115 posts per day. In 2005, it averaged only 105 posts per day.

Charter

The group was proposed by Cari D. Burstein on August 11, 1994 with the following charter:

For specific discussion about the CBS network's soaps, specifically: The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, As the World Turns, and Guiding Light- as well as discussion about CBS and soap operas when not related to a specific soap opera

Characteristics

In the mid-to-late nineties, RATSC continued in the vein of its predecessor, providing both commentary and updates on the CBS soap operas. Such updates were normally long, complex, and comical. As the popularity of the World Wide Web increased, however, episode transcripts and summaries started becoming available on official and fan websites and fewer were posted in RATSC. By the early '00s, people requesting a summary would usually be redirected to one of these websites.

Since not all posters watch all 4 CBS soaps, it is almost like a newsgroup version of Switzerland; four different groups of people united. Some practices would be popular among the fans of one show, but not by the fans of another. As the World Turns fans, for instance, developed a game called "Favorite As the World Turns Character." Each newsgroup member took on the personality of his or her favorite character on the show, and would occasionally provide commentary from that character's point of view, signing as FAC Carly for instance. This practice, however, inexplicably stopped around 2000.

The Young & the Restless is the most popular show discussed in the group, while As the World Turns and Guiding Light are about tied for second. The Bold & the Beautiful receives discussion in RATSC only sparingly.

Netiquette

RATSC has a somewhat contentious atmosphere when it comes to netiquette. Headers are required for all articles since a fan of one soap may not necessarily care about articles concerning another. Spoiler warnings also must be in the topic of any article containing either upcoming storyline or casting news. Top posting is a despised practice among many RATSC posters.

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