General Hospital
ABC Rep on what Katie Couric Show could mean for GH! Half-hour version?
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
As we announced early this morning, the deal between ABC and Katie Couric has become official and that Couric will be launching her own syndicated talk show in September of 2012. It is widely known now that ABC is giving the 3PM slot which houses General Hospital in most markets back to it’s affiliates a year and half from now.
So with the ‘read- between-the-lines’ statement issued earlier today in the official Couric press release that “the network continues to support GH”, TV Guide’s Michael Logan took to the task of getting some comments from an ABC representative who wanted to remain anonymous to shed light on what is really going on here, and how it might impact the life of General Hospital. Here is a key excerpt below!
“Our release states that we’re giving back our 3pm time slot to the affiliates. This is widely known as the GH timeslot, but this does not mean the inevitable cancellation of GH. We are going to populate our daytime block with our strongest shows, the ones that resonate most with our audience. We hope it will encourage them to watch and support GH. We will consider all options, such as making The Chew and The Revolution a half hour each, or making The Revolution and GH a half hour. This all happens a year and half from now. We are going to do our best to keep everybody happy.”
How is everyone going to be happy? We are losing OLTL and AMC for the two new lower budget lifestyle/reality/makeover shows, and potentially cutting in more airtime of GH. This does beg the question, couldn’t ABC have made OLTL and AMC into half hour shows instead of dumping them?
Hang on to your seats, we have another year and half to sort what remains of the ABC Daytime soap line-up shuffle. Whatever the case, now is the time to keep watching GH!
The latest ratings are out for the week of October 26-30, 2026 and the big takeaways include: that CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates was separated by only 23,000 viewers behind third place (of the soaps) General Hospital! For the last several weeks, Beyond the Gates has been closing the gap on this year’s winner for Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, and continuing to best GH in the key demos.
According to the latest Nielsen ratings breakdown from Soap Opera Network, the final week of October brought Beyond the Gates 1.790 million on average tuning-in and the show set a season high in total viewers. Meanwhile, General Hospital hit a new season low! The long-running ABC soap had 1.813 million for the week, and once again the series did not go over the 2 million mark.
Meanwhile, in the key Women 18-49 demo, Beyond the Gates was firmly ahead of GH with a rating share of 0.21, while General Hospital had 0.17 rating share.Then, in the key Women 25-54 demo, Beyond the Gates was once again ahead of the ABC soap with a ratings share for that demo at 0.30 while GH came in with 0.26.
Photo: CBS
MORE BY THE NUMBERS
In addition and comparatively, Beyond the Gates +22,000 viewers week-to-week, and had the largest gains in viewership year-to-year in daytime TV with +267,000 from this in 2025.. However, General Hospital seems to be going in reverse. The show was down -56,000 viewers week-over-week and down -22,000 year-over-year .
BEYOND THE GATES
Let’s take a look at some of the storylines that had people tuning-in to Beyond the Gates during the ratings week:
Hayley (Marquita Goings) attempted a massive shocker regarding her pregnancy and tried to use it to extract money from Bill Hamilton (Timon Kyle Durrett). Although, Bill saw right through her game, he demanded a paternity test, and made it clear he has no intention of raising the child—planning instead to pay her off to take the baby and leave. Meanwhile, Hayley confided her plan to her cousin Randy (Maurice P. Kerry).
Jacob Hawthorne (Jibre Hordges) and Naomi Hamilton (Arielle Prepetit) clashed over Jacob’s ongoing investigation into The Impaler, causing significant strain in their marriage. At the same time, Smitty (Mike Manning) considered taking matters into his own hands—including potentially heading to Mexico for evidence—while Martin Richardson (Brandon Claybon) worried about what comes next.
Photo: ABC
GENERAL HOSPITAL
Over at General Hospital for the ratings period, the story served up included:
Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) teamed up to investigate what really happened to Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna). Later, Danny (Asher Antonyzyn) leads them to Jack’s dead body.
Jude (Wil Traval) dropped a bombshell claim to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn); that he is Phoebe’s father, while Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) and Chase (Josh Swickard) signed their divorce papers.
Then, Danny caught Rocco (Finn Carr) and Scout (Kayden Brenna Tokarski) sharing a kiss, plus the shocking return of Heather Webber (Alley Mills) capped the week.
Now the questions become; without having much promotional synergy in the ABC day-part to draw more eyeballs it is not helping but hurting General Hospital. It seems Beyond the Gates is also a benefactor of a one-two-three punch of CBS soaps (Y&R, B&B and BTG) and promotion.
However, that still doesn’t take away the fact that Beyond the Gates is close to besting GH in all ratings category as they go head-to-head in some markets across the country.
So, are you excited to see Beyond the Gates climb in the ratings? Are you concerned for General Hospital? Do you think they can stave off Beyond the Gates in total viewers or will the upstart soap overtake them in the next ratings report? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
Antonio Sabáto Jr., the former Jagger Cates of General Hospital and GH: Night Shift, and the former Dante Damiano of The Bold and the Beautiful has issued his first public statement since the incident involving his son, Jack’s arrest in Alaska for a fatal hit-and-run.
Jack is the son of Sabáto Jr. and Oscar-nominated actress Virginia Madsen, and according to court documents obtained by KTUU Jack, was allegedly driving a white Chevy Tahoe when he hit and killed Carl Simmonds, 42, near an intersection in Anchorage around 5:35 a.m. on Monday, November 9.
The reports indicated that Jack fled the scene — but later decided to called the cops to say he hit “something” that “suddenly appeared in the road” while he was “doing late-night DoorDashing.”
Photo: NBC
Now, Antonio has taken to his Instagram breaking his silence on the situation, sharing, “At this time, my family and I are navigating an extremely sensitive and deeply personal matter.”
He added, “As a father, my love for my children remains unconditional, and my priority is the well-being of my family. We ask that the public and members of the media honor our privacy during this difficult time and keep us all in your thoughts and prayers.”
The soap alum concluded, “I also wish to extend my heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of the gentleman who tragically lost his life. My thoughts and prayers are with them as well. We sincerely appreciate your compassion, understanding, and respect for the privacy of everyone affected.”
Jack Sabáto was arraigned in court on Tuesday, November 10 with bail set at $5,000, and a no-driving order and the potential of $5,000 penalty fees if he fails to attend future court appearances.
Antonio is the father to Jack, 34, daughter, Mina Sabato, 24 and son, Antonio Sabáto III, 15.
This is a developing story. You can check out Antonio’s official statement below.
So, let us know your thoughts on this tragic hit-and-run, which claimed the life of another man, and Antonio’s statement, via the comment section below.
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Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Ava’s (Maura West) daughter Avery looks quite different, starting on today’s November 9 episode of General Hospital. That’s because GH has made Avery into a full-blown teenager and the role is now being played by actress Alya Bullington.
In her debut, the Tennessee native was thrown into the deep soap waters with Daytime Emmy winners, Maurice Benard and Eden McCoy (Josslyn). Bullington weighed-in to TV Insider about her first scene which featured Avery overhearing a fight between Sonny and Josslyn.
She explained “It was something I have never done before, I did not have a lot of experience with the screaming and the crying stuff, but I got my first script, and I was like, ‘OK, this is a huge opportunity to learn so much about how that stuff works and to become this character that I have never even tried playing before.’”
Photo: ABC
THE TEENAGED VERSION OF AVERY WILL HAVE A LOT TO CONTEND WITH
Speaking of working with McCoy, Bullington shared, “She’s incredible. I remember her just laughing and making jokes on set, and then the minute that they started taping, she just locked in and she cried immediately, and my first thought was, ‘I want to be able to do that.’
The soap opera newcomer added, “I think she just inspired me so much because she is so great and she can just lock into whatever character she wants to in the moment.”
The character of Avery was born back in 2014, but as recently as the October 8 episode of General Hospital, the character was suddenly referred to as a teenager. This is the second young female character in recent months to be aged up following the casting of Kayden Brenna Tokarski as Scout Cain.
As for her take on Avery and what’s ahead, Alya said,“She’s emotional, and she’s curious, and she’s a really fun person to play because so much stuff is happening in her life. I think she’s kind of confused about what’s happening and what to believe.”
So, what do you think about General Hospital making Avery a teenager? Are you excited to see the conflict between Sonny, Ava and Avery now that they have aged up the character? Share your thoughts and welcome Alya to GH via the comment section below.
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run
DANCING WITH THE STARS: A Shocking Elimination on Grammy Night Leaves Ballroom Silenced
Y&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie Kicks Bill to the Curb … for Now
B&B’s Sydney Bullock Weighs In on Future of Dylan and Will: ‘I Think She Can Hold on to Him for Awhile’ (Exclusive)
‘Days of our Lives’ Veteran James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson’s Diagnosis
Y&R’s Matt Cohen Talks Role as Compassionate Zookeeper in Rom-Com ‘Christmas at the Zoo’
Alice Halsey Returns to ‘Days of our Lives’ as Rachel Black – Find Out How Long!
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News3 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
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Previews4 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
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General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
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Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
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Days Of Our Lives7 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Kyle Pryor Debuts as Dominic Marino and Says of Alleged TV Mom, “Deidre Hall is the Absolute OG, Amazing” (Exclusive)
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A half hour GH ???
I would rather see ABC put the show out of it’s misery than that –
next they will say GH will air at 1:00AM.
Hush your mouth. 🙂
GH started as a half hour soap. If cutting it back to a half hour is what it takes to keep it on the air in the afternoons, I will happily take it!
I think GH should stay right where it is.
GH should be on for an hour i wouldnt be happy wit 30 min of the show
it be stupid
y do idiots have to mess up all the daytime shows on ABC i say leave them all there.
I know I’m supposed to support the soaps, but I can’t bring myself to watch GH. It is so inferior to One Life to Live that I’m insulted OLTL was sacrificed while GH gets a reprieve. I cannot stand the Sonny/Jason/Carly/Sam show and its ridiculous mob stories that prop up disgusting mobsters as heroes. I apologize to other soap lovers who will watch GH until its last day, but I will no longer watch ABC after One Life to Live goes off the air.
Jared, i could not agree with you more! Further, the rating system clearly shows that OLTL is fairing better that GH. Like you, once OLTL is finished, no more ABC TV for me. Luckly thou, I am a Canadian, and my other longtime soap “Coronation Street” has nothing to worry about. The Brits approach TV in a completely different manner. It also has just started it’s 50th year on the air. It’s on later in the evening, and is aired three times a week, with one hour episodes twice a week (Mondays and Fridays) and a half hour show on Thursdays. This past week was a major storyline and it was on every night during the week at 9pm, and yield around 12 million viewers. If daytime American tv goes all talk show, and reality tv in the evening, I may be cancelling my tv feed. I don’t mean to offend anyone, it just seems that for the past couple of years, any ABC show I enjoyed is being cancelled even before it gets a change to grow (Detriot 1-8-7, Dirty Sexy Money, V) so when ABC makes OLTL go dark, there won’t be any shows that I want to watch from ABC.
I can NOT stand Curic , NO WAY! Hope she fails here as well.
THEY’RE NOT saving, their gonna pay HER arent they.
Michael, I agree with what you said, ABC could of have made OLTL and AMC into half hour shows instead of dumping them. Once OLTL goes off the air, I will have no interest in anything broadcast by ABC. Even their news programs. Since they don’t have any respect for daytime drama viewers, I have no respect for them.
Sonzabitches, ABC is full of them.
We did not have the chance to save One Life to Live and All My Children on ABC, BUT we now have the chance to do just that for General Hospital, so now is the time to watch the show, and tell everyone you know (who watches or used to watch) to also tune in. Hopefully, in this case, we WILL have a say in what is in ABC’s daytime line-up. Now is also the time for the writers to vamp up the storylines, and make the show the best it could be, not chip away at what makes it the icon it is (as was done with OLTL and AMC). This has to be an all around group effort to keep GH on the air, so let’s get started!!!! BTW, I am still not willing to give up on the fact that OLTL and AMC can still be saved by being picked up by another network or cable station, who is smart enough to see what these shows have to offer. Call me cynical, but I think that one, if not both of the replacement shows for our beloved soaps, will be ready to be pulled by the time Katie Couric’s Show starts airing in Sept. of 2012 (if not sooner), so that might make the addtion of Katie’s Show easily fit into the line-up. Don’t forget to continue to watch or begin to watch GH !!!
ITA. Call you local cable providers and tell them you want a soap channel!
If ABC doesn’t want AMC/OLTL we want a channel that does!!!
I don’t understand why this silly looking woman keeps getting tv work, she would do better on the radio, so tired of seeing that troll face.
I do not agree. If it is too late to save OLTL, then I can not watch anything on ABC….even the vastly inferior GH. I’m sick of hearing how GH is the well known, viable and strong brand. Well….it isn’t, any more than OLTL. ABC is over. They really do not need me as a viewer. I want soaps to survive, but I will get my scripted drama from cable….Nurse Jackie, United States of Tara, True Blood…..not GH’s lame version of rated PG Sopranos. All soaps are not the same. OLTL was smart….sometimes, funny most of the time (not like Bold and Beautiful’s unintentional comedy), and well acted always. Now I am just free to watch other things…not on ABC or anything Disney related.
Let us be honest the state of the econmy is what is behind this! Face it ! I grant you stupid storylines have not helped viewership but they have in the past been able to pull back and get back on track! And I can not stand Katie she is a foulmouthed twit. I know this to be true she was at at an event I will not say when and the men were embarrased she swears like a sailor, I might add they were military.
The economy is fine over at Disney/ABC:
Walt Disney Co. Chief Executive Robert A. Iger commanded a 35% jump in salary and bonuses in 2010, rewarding what the board of directors’ compensation committee called his “exceptional performance” in the face of a slow-recovering U.S. economy.
Iger’s salary and bonus reached nearly $16.3 million, up from $12 million a year earlier. His total compensation, including equity awards, reached $28 million, according to the company’s proxy filed Friday with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
I would like to add some other things remeber when Love in the Afternoon was ABC’s motto? Where is the love and why do we need soap operas when our politicians are doing their version every day!!!!
NO GH NO ABC for me!!!!!
Couric is going to be an EPIC FAIL. Everyone on the political right despises her, she is too old too attract the younger Demos, and soap fans will boycott her. Bad move for ABC.
Just remember, if you have ever been a soap fan BOYCOTT all of ABC’s replacement shows and tell everyone you know to do the same. Support all THREE ABC soaps to the bitter end!
GH is toast. After losing OLTL, which is superior, I don’t care about GH. But why is anyone surprised? You didn’t actually believe Franz was committed to GH did you?
I agree GH is toast my prediction is that it gets canceled in 2012.
Well I have been an GH fan all my life, thirty two years now deciated to this network.
If they take my soap off the air I will boycott. ABC. I( will be hard because I Watch all the NEws promgrams and primetime shows like 20/20 world news. BUt GH is my all time favortie stupid move if they cancel for that boring katie she will fail misery if that’s the case!!!!!!!!!!!!
Do you have more great arilctes like this one?