The news about renewal talks was reported by TVLine, an industry news site, which said the entire cast had been released from their contracts and the show would go on an indefinite hiatus. Calling the move “decidedly ominous,” it questioned whether the end was near. Daytime serial dramas have suffered in recent years as ratings have plummeted and networks have shifted daytime programming to talk shows, which are cheaper to produce.

In 2011, for example, ABC announced it would end two of its long-running daily dramas, “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.” CBS announced the cancellations of both “Guiding Light” and “As the World Turns” in 2009.

Corday, which negotiates contracts with actors for “Days of Our Lives,” will wrap up production for the current season at the end of the month, eight months ahead of schedule, said the person close to the show. And that’s where things get confusing: Some, but not all, of the cast will be released from their contracts, the person said. Additionally, all this is happening as the cast is preparing to leave for a scheduled holiday hiatus.

“In the past, we had a return date for production,” the person said. “But since we are ahead of schedule, we don’t.” If Sony and NBC reach a deal to renew the show, then Corday Productions and the actors can sign new contracts.