General Hospital
DISNEY/ABC Launching WATCH ABC App! GH Fans Can Watch It Live In-Synch With Broadcast!
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!
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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General Hospital6 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
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News6 days agoB&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
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Days Of Our Lives1 week agoRaven Bowens Breaks Silence About Being Fired From ‘Days of our Lives’ and Her Future Plans
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