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DISNEY/ABC Launching WATCH ABC App! GH Fans Can Watch It Live In-Synch With Broadcast!

By Michael Fairman

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Walt Disney Company’s ABC s looking to become the first broadcast network to go live on the Internet on a full-time basis.  Today they announced “Watch ABC” which will debut this fall and allow viewers to watch the network from mobile devices and tablets when they are away from home.

“Watch ABC” will basically be a live stream of the network’s feed as well as local programming such as news. “Watch ABC” allows viewers of such programs as General Hospital to view their shows in real-time.

According to L.A. Times,  “The service is only available to people who already have a pay-TV provider. Also, it will initially not be available in every market because ABC needs to reach distribution agreements for Watch ABC with all its local affiliates.   The first two markets to have Watch ABC will be New York and Philadelphia starting May 14, where ABC owns the stations. Then ABC will roll the service out to other markets where it owns local TV stations including KABC-TV Los Angeles.  Also partnering with the network on the service is Hearst Corp. which owns several major market ABC affiliates including outlets in Boston and Pittsburgh.”

“Watch ABC is a game-changing innovation for the broadcast television industry,” said Anne Sweeney, co-chair of Disney Media Networks and president of Disney/ABC Television Group. “This announcement represents a defining moment in technology and distribution, as well as for our advertising and affiliate partners, as we ensure that our high-quality content is available to viewers on a variety of devices.”

The “Watch ABC” effort represents a dramatic shift in the way networks view the Web. While much of the TV industry has been focused on putting content online, it has mostly used the platform for video on demand, not live TV. The reasons for that approach are several. First, there was a school of thought that consumers were not interested in watching live TV on the Web but instead preferred to use it for movies or to catch up on shows they may have missed.

Another issue had to do with the often complex relationship between broadcast networks and the local stations that carry their programming. The local stations don’t want viewers to be able to bypass them and just watch a national ABC feed on the Web. That would hurt their ratings and ad revenue.  That meant ABC had to ensure that the interests of its affiliates were protected and that any feed include their local programming in any online linear feed of the network. In addition, many local stations carry syndicated programs that they may not have the rights to offer online. There are also rights issues regarding sports highlights that appear in local news and even music rights.

According to the official Disney/ABC press release:  “The launch of WATCH ABC follows the successful rollout of three authenticated WATCH Disney services — WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WATCH Disney Junior — in June 2012. Downloaded nearly 15 million times since their debut, the three WATCH Disney products provide authenticated users with both access to live, linear network streams as well as an extensive offering of advantaged window “on demand” episodes. In addition to WATCH ABC and the WATCH Disney services, Disney Media Networks offers WatchESPN, an authenticated 24/7 live stream of six networks, including all of ESPN’s sports and studio shows. Plans are also in place to roll out WATCH ABC Family in early 2014.”

So soap fans, what do you think of the having an app to allow you to watch everything on network television as it happens on the go? Would you watch General Hospital that way?  Let us know!

 

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Haven’t watched ABC since they canceled AMC and OLTL! If I don’t watch it on my TV I most certainly won’t be down loading their App!

Ditto! Losers!

Not if it meant that my GH would change in any way that effected the characters, the actors, or the integrity of the show I have watched since 1965. If I still had my hour long show, and I could see it live on the network, and it would count towards the ratings for GH then yes.

Still boycotting ABC. Love the news about Susan Lucci being in the Smithsonian!

We cancelled our cable last week, because $150 a month for internet and cable was just crazy. We’re only using a Roku, and it would make sense for ABC to step into the 21st century and make this “Watch ABC” app AD-SUPPORTED instead of making it available only to those homes with cable, but they’re not logical enough to understand that.

I shut off my then about to be $50/mo cable in mid 2008. Haven’t missed it, except for going thru withdrawals for OLTL and GH, which I watched when I could or online at lunchtime at work. But I didn’t miss those $50 bills one bit!

And I just got high speed internet, but I just had it added to my regular landline phone bill – it was wayyyyy cheaper than those bundles. They try to make it such a big deal to have it all bundled and “on one bill”… well my internet and phone are still on one bill, but cheaper!

but you can watch many shows on hulu.com for free, and many other sites, that have many, many regular broadcast stations to pick from including ABC, SyFy, Fox, HBO… and it’s all free!

Isn’t this just like abc day player?

ABC/Disney is doing some innovated thinghs these days..
They were the first to have prime time soaps of value that were busting cjharts, and still are..
Now they are aiming at millions who do there viewing on-line..

CBS tried to do the prime time soaps but they were not near a great as ABC’s and some didn’t make it..

I know some are still boycotting ABC, and ABC does not notice or give a damn about them lol and they are missing out on some really great prime time viewing/soaps..
It is the boycotter’s loss not ABC’s … lol (ABC wins on that one)

We know that ABC does not care that we boycott them. We do it because it makes us feel better. There is no loss to me because there is nothing worth watching on ABC.

I respectfully disagree. I’m boycotting ABC and I’m not missing a thing.

I choose to not watch abc and could care less what they think about it. I have found that I do not miss them.
Sorry, abc does not win on that one.

Um, not really. If they aren’t losing then why do they need an APP now that PP already went to internet. Why watch any of their shows when they will just cancel them anyway, regardless of what their fans want?

You people who are boycotting ABC are just so adorable. I wish people like you would focus your attention on important things like cancer research and the like. As for your comment CeCe, ABC is quite logical – they make much more money from the cable/satellite companies than they would from app advertising

Glad you find us ‘adorable’. But you have absolutely NO idea what else we may be focusing our attention on. Very insulting.

Takes no time on my part to boycott ABC.

Other AJ,

So boycotting ABC is a waste of time that could be spent on cancer research.. so WATCHING ABC is what? Saving the rain forest or serving the greater good?

GH people get so offended that we won’t watch ABC, and therefore, not supporting their soap. GH will be cancelled soon enuff, and these same people defending ABC are gonna look like fools for sticking up for them when they have said the soap genre is dead.

The future of TV is on the internet.. AMC and OLTL are leading the way!

I first watched Santa Barbara. It was canceled. I didn’t boycott NBC. Shows are canceled all the time. It’s business. I understand that networks are in business to make money. I get over cancellations and get on with my life.

Think how much Cancer research you could have done while typing this condescending crap!

This app doesn’t sound groundbreaking to me. I watch GH on hulu or abc.com or I dvr GH (the only ABC show I watch) and watch at MY convenience.

Still hatin’ ABC. Loving OLTL & AMC on hulu.

Me neither, who doesn’t have a App these days. Only ABC would theirs is groundbreaking.

This will not make me watch abc/d any more than I already do.

This is good news for #GH fans. I still won’t watch ABC (except for GH). I still can’t forgive them for cancelling #OLTL & #AMC. They are trying to court us, but for me, IT WON’T WORK!!! #ElephantsMemory

I see there’s more than one AJ.. guess I need a more unique moniker.

how ’bout Pickle AJ? 🙂

i just record to DVD when I’m on vacation… same as when I’m at work and watch later. And it’s on free TV – antenna and they do not count me…

but sometimes I watch GH online, but it’s still in the evening, so live stream doesn’t interest me. I actually prefer to watch it ‘not live’ cuz then I can fast forward thru parts I don’t care about.

I’m not surprised they are doing this, but they obviously missed the boat time wise. Just think if they had done this 2-3 years ago and instead of cancelling shows, they put them online… hey, what an idea…

ha ha

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

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This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

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With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

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A post shared by Maurice Benard (@mauricebenard)

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

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In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

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Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

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