Greg Eckler notes…
A decade ago there were nine daytime soaps and now there are four, and at least two of those are clinging to life. I think that largely explains the lack of interest.
I think it explains a certain amount of it…but people are watching something on Daytime TV. They're not watching soaps, and game shows have also declined to almost nothing…but Ellen's show has a large viewership. So does The View. So does Dr. Phil. So do a number of syndicated shows. Those shows draw enough interest to remain on the air but not enough to telecast the awards on E!. I think fans of these programs are simply no longer as possessive about them as they once were. Folks who watch The Price is Right don't care as much if Drew Carey wins an Emmy as they once did about whether Bob Barker did. And I don't think it's the show or the host as much as it is changing times.