Watching TV is a very popular pastime（消遣）in the UK. But what kind of programs do British people like to watch? Well, the most-watched TV programs are usually on four times every week. They are programs based in one neighborhood that try to describe life in the UK — we call these dreams 'soap operas' or 'soaps'.

    Back in the early days of TV, husbands went out to work and wives stayed at home, looking after the house and the children. Most of these  programs were aimed at amusing the housewives who were at home, doing the washing. Companies selling washing powder（洗衣粉）would advertise their products between the programs, and sometimes those companies would even sponsor（赞助）the 'soap operas'.