In addition to the special events, this year's show has been revamped to focus on those fans almost as much as the actors, said producers Ricky Kirshner and Glenn White of White Cherry Entertainment. Rick Springfield, a touring musician who has returned this year to his role as Dr. Drake on "General Hospital," will open the show outside the theater near a "fan zone" in Babylon Court in the Hollywood & Highland complex and then take the television audience inside with him.

Inside the theater, all three balconies have been reserved for fans. Those seats have been sold out for weeks.

Moving to L.A. may also help members of the daytime creative community get "the recognition they deserve," Frons said. "They work incredibly hard, produce very good shows and do it on a shoestring budget. And they have to do it five days a week." Of the top network's 14 soaps, five are shot in New York; the rest, as well as most syndicated court and game shows, are taped in Los Angeles.

Price said he hopes the new location will engage industry colleagues in Hollywood who haven't attended previous shows. "It's important we don't be perceived as a New York show. Otherwise, we would not be fulfilling our role."

Toward that end, the awards presentation will have some prime-time stars from such popular shows as "Grey's Anatomy" serve as presenters, and video clips will highlight Hollywood and its residents.

The move is not necessarily permanent, though. Next year's broadcaster, CBS, may decide to move the show back to New York.

In a prepared statement, the local Academy of Television Arts & Sciences said it supports the move because it will allow West Coast members to more easily attend, and "we feel change is good for the television industry. It is our hope that the move will help the ratings."

Like other award shows, the Daytime Emmys will be broadcast live on the East Coast and aired on a time delay for the West Coast, starting at 8 p.m.

The producers said that when they undertook their first Daytime Emmy Award show three years ago, they were impressed by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the fans for their favorites — and also how the actors reciprocate.

"Some of the stars would not just walk the red carpet to the entry, they'd walk across the street, take their time and take pictures with the fans," White said.

"They know who supports them and they care about that. It makes this show have a very different feel, one of genuine affection."