General Hospital
‘General Hospital’ Preemption Schedule Due to ABC Coverage of Major League Baseball Playoffs Between Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres
General Hospital fans have been clamoring for the tune-in info of just how episodes previously scheduled to run the week of September 29-October 3rd might be affected by the beginning of the annual Major League Baseball playoff wildcard games. With Disney owning both ESPN and ABC, one of the playoff series this week landed, as per usual, in the afternoon schedule on the broadcast network.
That series is the Chicago Cubs vs. San Diego Padres and the two teams will meet in games that start at 3pm ET/2pm CT in a best two out of three series, to move on to the next round of the National League Playoffs. This marks the first time these two teams have met in post-season play since 1984.
The current schedules has Cubs vs. Padres airing on ABC on Tuesday, September 30 and Wednesday, October 1, with the Thursday, October 2 game to be determined if the series goes a third game. That decision will be known after the result of Wednesday’s game.

Photo: ABC
So, what does that mean for GH? Today’s Monday, September 29th episode will air as usual. Thursday’s October 2nd episode is currently slanted to air (pending if there is a game three in the NL playoff series) and Friday’s October 3rd episode of GH will air.
ABC executive, Nathan Varni also posted on X, “Due to MLB daytime games this week, new episodes of #gh will air Monday, Thursday & Friday. Thursday is tentative based on Wed’s game results. Sorry for the interruptions, have a great week!”
Below are the official revised date for these GH spoilers happening later this week:
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 2
Sonny makes a new connection. Carly is interrogated. Ava has great timing. Elizabeth confronts Britt. Tracy makes a vow.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3
Monica’s will is read, with dramatic consequences. Drew is on the warpath. Britt is thrown. Josslyn returns to town. Isaiah seeks out Portia.
So, how do you feel about GH being preempted by ABC’s coverage of the NL division playoffs between the Cubs and the Padres? Seems to be unfortunately happening during a pivotal week of episodes, but thank God, it didn’t occur last week during the tribute to Leslie Charleson and Monica Quartermaine. And, if you are a Chicago or San Diego fan, excited for the games? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Sports have completely taken over the major television networks. Not a fan at all. Find another place and time for sports!
I agree put sports on a sports channel
I totally agree Ellen. I’m not a sports fan either. There are dozens, yes dozens, of sports channels on my TV service. ESPN and FOX appear to have several spots each. I click past all of them. There is no reason why sports cannot air on the many, many, many sports channels available.
100% agree, this is why they have ESPN!!!
They constantly interrupt General Hospital for news and sports like we care! They have news that starts at 4:00!
I’m done with ABC! 1st Kimmel and now the constant interruptions of General Hospital. I don’t need it, they are traitors anyway! Go suck Trump’s dick!
I was kind of with you until that last remark. Really???
What?
Fridays episode kept getting interrupted by news PST time zone which is ridiculous since they could have waited until after gh was over or better yet wait till world news is on!!
Again!!!!!Why is General Hospital always interrupted? Everything else can be moved around or canceled too! Wow just not right! I’m missing General Hospital now for baseball!!!! Only State of Emergencies should reschedule or interrupt shows! With all these sports channels they can’t be used?!?! And other time slots can’t be used?♀️♀️ Amazing!
100%.. ABC is Ridiculous with the interruptions ALWAYS during General Hospital Airtime!! VERY AGGRAVATING
Hate it. Why is GH always interrupted or preempted? How many ESPN channels are there anyway? Whi does it have to be on regular network?
The shows are being preempted for two days and ESPN is already airing other games.
Ugh! ESPN. Sports. This is a no-brainer! And if the game starts at 3, why pre-empt your 2:00 programming. Does each game really need a one-hour pre-game show?
It’s not that simple…
GH airs in different time slots across the nation (i.e. 3pm in NYC). Plus, you have the west coast markets, some of which air it at 1pm (which is 4pm ET).
No reason for this. Definitely not with all the sports outlets there are for viewing. And airing this in the afternoon when sports fans mostly have 9-5 jobs? How did they come up with decision?
Excellent questions James R. You’d think the sports teams would want there games to air during the time when most fan would be able to view them.
And just when I enjoyed Jane Elliot and Erika Slezak sparring amazingly, now we have to wait til Friday. Bummer. But what a great performance by both!!!
This article is an example of why I HATE most sports!!!!! To me, the following 3 exceptions: Bowling (which is my ALL-TIME FAVORITE sport), the New Orleans Saints (my mom was originally from New Orleans…and I have relatives and a few lifelong friends who live in, around and near the New Orleans area) and an occasional hockey game. Other sports…I have NO USE for…AT ALL!!!!! N-O!!!!!
This is baloney! Soaps always get pre-empted because the networks don’t see them as important as other programing. Shameful!
I too agree GH is always getting preempted.
GH should not be pre-empted for sports, especially pre-game show.
If someone wanted to watch the games they could do so on ESPN. Leave my soap alone!
No worse than Jeopardy being pre-empted for the damn Patriots
Kathleen…I remember that. And the moment that Jeopardy got pre-empted for the Patriots…I (from there) decided to catch up on some housework…which is so unlike me. LOL
Don’t like sports interrupting my soaps, especially General hospital
Hate in interruption, put on other stations
Im not happy with that. Its on ESPN, let them go with it. Dont care about baseball
Should be on a sport channel only ! I really wonder how many people will be actually watching it live. And if the game starts at 3 eastern time ( which I am) why isn’t it on at 2 its normal time? Hope the game is over Wednesday!!!
The Networks have dozens of Sports channels. I see no reason for a ballgame or any other sports to interrupt regular programming use one of your own sports channel’s. Unless the real reason is ABC gets paid extra for showing the sport.
I’m so sick of our soap operas getting interrupted!!!!!! Especially GH. Especially now with all the excitement going on. I don’t want to watch Baseball. Pick another channel please!!!
I love how passionate soap fans can be. Viewers shouldn’t be mad at ABC for airing the games (only 2-3 days). We should be mad that a plan wasn’t in place to handle these pre-planned preemptions properly. It wasn’t until soap fans (over the weekend) noticed changes to their recording schedule and pointed it out on sites like this that ABC finally made an announcement.
As there’s been no national GH preemptions for quite a while, Varni, Valentini and crew could have structured Monday’s episode with a cliffhanger. Then, a brief announcement from a GH star saying they are taking a brief break for the playoffs.
Finally, GH has a baseball connection all the way back to day 1. John Beradino (the Dr Steve Hardy) played for three major league teams in the 1940s and 50s.
Not happy.
You have no problem removing general hospital for baseball for the killing. I’m not sure where it was but you had that on the news. 3:00 4:00 5:00 is 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 5 hours of one story. Now we’re doing baseball. Is there not any other show that can be removed for an hour an hour and a half or could you put it on at a later date? Not everybody wants to see these games
I’m with ya Barbara!!
I HATE that they have to start talking about “breaking news” at 3:00 too. Sometimes it’s NOT EVEN BREAKING NEWS!! Then then talk about it for the WHOLE hour PLUS 4:00, 5:00, 6:00, 7:00!
Talk about beating a DEAD HORSE!! I HAVE ABC!!!!!
All those news programs are the decision of your local station. ABC has no influence. The local stations (aka affiliates) have hours of programming to fill between ABC programming. Many affiliates take the cheap way out and fill it with repetitive news programming. Others may air syndicated talk or game shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.
F**K the MLB playoffs during the day!!! Only care if it’s the Phillies in our area! ABC SUCKS
ABC is constantly interrupting General hospital w/ special reports when you know darn well their going to repeat the same thing at 4:00 news. Now the playoffs?? ABC is really pissing me off!!! Thinking of banning ABC!!!
Just once I’d like to see general hospital interrupt the news and sports.
Why do you have sports stations if you are not going to play a sport on the station?? Most people who are home during the day want to watch their daily drama not a baseball game
Who in Hell’s name made the decision to play baseball in the middle of the afternoon in the middle of the week anyway? Guess they wouldn’t want to do that on the weekends because it’s football season, but why not play baseball in prime time? ABC has one actual hour each of non-dragonshit programming on Tuesday and Wednesday and all reruns scheduled for Thursday, so it would have been easy to play the games in prime time and then air those shows after the game. Nobody’s going to give a cherub’s pink little ass if “Dancing With Nobody You Ever Heard Of” or “The Geriatric Horndog” got preempted for a week.
There are other games running in prime time. Blame the MLB scheduling gods! 4 sets of best-of-three playoffs that they deem HAVE to be played on the same day. These could easily have been staggered, cutting the pre-emption necessities in half, but oh, well.
It’s the one show I look forward to every day. Gives me a chance to get away from the news. Very sorry every time they preempt GH for a high speed chase, election, sports, etc..If you think about it avid soap fans are not necessarily avid sports fans.
I’m a fan of both
I agree, especially when your not showing it in my area and the games don’t even start till 3 and GH IS AT 2!!
Someone would be preempted in the afternoon, so how about as a trade off- carry the daytime emmys.
Keep sports on sports channels, news on news channels, and let us enjoy our soaps.
They do this every year. Baseball belongs on ESPN. I want my GH! It gets pre-empted or interrupted entirely too much. Enough already.
The last non-scheduled preemption of GH was in early January for President Carter’s funeral. It’s been a good run.
Air on ESPN not ABC
UPDATE:
The third game on Thursday is needed so GH will return to the schedule on Friday.
It’s stinks abc always interrupts general hospital why do we bother to have sport Chanel’s and not use them.
Thank God it’s finally Friday and GH is back!!! These last three days have felt like three years. Please, no more afternoon baseball, ABC.
Unfortunately it’s all about the ad revenue$ sports events generate.
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Cynthia Watros Honors Former ‘Titus’ Co-Star Stacy Keach Following His Passing

General Hospital star Cynthia Watros, who can currently be seen in on the ABC soap opera in the role of Nina Reeves, has had a enduring career in television. That included her time on the 2000-2002 Fox sitcom, Titus.
In Titus, Watros starred along with Stacy Keach as Erin Fitzpatrick and Ken Titus, respectively. After the November 10th news that Keach had passed away at 85 while living in Poland, Cynthia took to her Instagram on Thursday, November 12 to pay tribute to the great actor.
Watros expressed, “My first prime time show was along side Stacy. I loved him instantly. What an amazing talent and man.❤️”

Photo: ABC
In Titus, Stacy played stand up comedian Christopher Titus’ heavy-drinking, chain-smoking, five-times-divorced father who frequently pulled cruel pranks and tried to toughen his kids up. Cynthia played by Christopher’s level-headed, big-hearted girlfriend trying to build a normal life with him. In fact, Cynthia’s role on the sitcom was first series regular role after her Daytime Emmy run of Annie Dutton on Guiding Light which ran from 1994-1998.
STACY KEACH’S WIFE ON HIS PASSING
Keach’s wife, Malgosia shared the news of the actor’s death publicly in a statement with PEOPLE. Malgosia expressed, that Stacy had, “a long and difficult battle with a serious heart condition and heart failure.”
She added, “Stacy peacefully departed this world. He fought for so long, with extraordinary courage, determination and strength. He was a true warrior, facing his illness with the same remarkable spirit and resilience that defined his life.”
Małgosia continued, “Stacy was not only a legendary actor, admired and loved by audiences the world over, but also my beloved husband, my companion and the heart of our family. His passing leaves an immeasurable emptiness in our lives. But his extraordinary spirit, his unforgettable voice and the love he gave so generously will remain with us forever.”
Now, let us know do you remember when Cynthia made her sitcom debut in Titus? Share your thoughts via the comment section on Cynthia’s many TV roles and the passing of Stacy Keach in the comment section. But first, check out the very first episode of Titus with Cynthia Watros below!
Beyond the Gates
RATINGS: ‘Beyond the Gates’ Inches Closer to ‘General Hospital’ in Total Viewers

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.
General Hospital
Antonio Sabáto Jr. Breaks Silence on His Son’s Arrest for Fatal Hit-and-Run

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.
View this post on Instagram
-

News3 days agoY&R’s New Head Writers Share Vision for Genoa City: Contemporary Homage to Bill Bell, Mixing Heightened Escapism and Grounded Reality
-

Previews4 days agoTHE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS Preview: Episodes From New Co-Head Writers, Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor, Begin to Air
-
General Hospital3 days ago‘General Hospital’ Casts Ayla Bullington as the New Avery Jerome-Corinthos
-

Days Of Our Lives1 week 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)
-

Days Of Our Lives4 days ago‘Days of our Lives’ Celebrates 61st Anniversary: EP Ken Corday Teases New Character’s Arrival in Spring 2027
-

General Hospital1 week agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Tracy Leaves Port Charles to Help Dillon; Paving the Way for Jane Elliot’s Temporary Exit
-
News6 days agoB&B’s Lawrence Saint-Victor to Guest Star on ‘Grey’s Anatomy’
-
Interviews1 week agoRoger Howarth Reflects on Daytime Emmy Win, 32-Year Record Gap, and Embracing Matt Clark on ‘The Young and the Restless’ (Exclusive)











