Soap operas then and now

I just miss watching television these days.  In the age of a "lack of " online technology, good story lines and great acting was all that was needed it seems.  Okay, there has always been technology and there are a lot of behind the scenes people, but there is something that seems to be lacking today. I recall the ratings being so much higher back then.  They were in the double digits.  I wish they were in the double digits again.  I just watched "Edge of Night" and 1980's soaps.  Wow!  If only soaps today were this good.  There are good actors and good drama, but like I said, something is missing and it is hard to pinpoint. I wish I knew why things have changed today.