Why are programmes such as Eastenders, Corrie & Emmerdale called the 'SOAPS'?

The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers such as Procter and Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers as the show's sponsors. These early radio serials were broadcast in weekday daytime slots when mostly housewives would be available to listen, thus the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience.

because they are known as soap opera's....

because they used to be sponsored by soap companies,
that why there called soaps

Great question! I never knew the answer, thanks for asking :D

It is short for their true name "Soap Opera", here's the history bit which is very interesting....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soap_operas

because wen they first started they were sponsored by soap companies who used them as advertisements

soap advertisers sponsored the serials on radio in the 40s.then on to TV for bigger impact.

I believe this may be the answer: Weekly, but mainly daily serials oginated in America and their sponsors were soap and washing powder companies. From these the phrase 'soap opera' was born.

The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers such as Procter and Gamble, Colgate-Palmolive and Lever Brothers as the show's sponsors.[1] These early radio serials were broadcast in weekday daytime slots when mostly housewives would be available to listen, thus the shows were aimed at and consumed by a predominantly female audience

The soap part comes from the fact that shows in daytime were one sponsored by soap and laundry degerant comapnies like Procter and Gamble and the Opera part refers to the dramatic, over-the-top nature of the programs, like an Opera. so the phrase Soap Opera was coined.

Soap operas were originally sponsored by soap companies

because they used to be sponserd by soap powder products.

yes