Connect with us

General Hospital

25

General Hospital Scores Two Year High In Key Female Demos with Baby Fever! Headed Towards Strongest Season Totals in 5 Years!

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Courtesy/ABC

Courtesy/ABC

The Britch strikes again! But in an oh- so awesome way for fans of ABC’s General Hospital!

During the week of September 2nd-6th, General Hospital struck ratings gold with ‘baby fever’  in their key storylines for 2-year highs based on the live plus same day data from Nielsen for the ratings period!  According to TV Media Insights, “General Hospital rose to two-year highs in the key women 18-49 demo (734,000) and women 25-54 (967,000), with a 10-month high in women 18-34 (274,000) and a five-month high in total viewers (2.75 million).”

According to ABC, last Thursday’s telecast, featuring the imminent birth of Britt’s baby, stood as the series’ most-watched telecast in nearly over 2 years in Women 18-49 (845,000) and Women 25-54 (1.06 million) and in nearly 8 months in Women 18-34 (342,000).

With only a couple weeks remaining in the 2012/13 season, General Hospital is pacing for its strongest season in 5 years in Total Viewers (2.97 million), generating the biggest year-to-year increases of any broadcast daytime drama (+14% – vs. 2.61 million), and is also up the most season to season in Women 18-34 (+36% – 253,000 vs. 186,000) and Women 18-49 (+7% – 770,000 vs. 719,000).

So what do you think of GH’s strong ratings showing last week in the key female demos? What do you think about it being on pace to be its strongest season in five years?  Great way to finish out its 50th anniversary season? What has been your favorite part of all the baby drama surrounding the birth of Britt’s baby and Maxie’s (Kirsten Storms) baby? Comment below!

 

25 Comments

25 Comments
oldest
newest

The Brittch didn’t go into labor until the very end of Friday’s show Sept 6th so I am not sure how the birth of her baby had anything to do with the increase. The Thursday Sept 5th eatured the two court proceedings with Franco and AJ and the Brittch scenes were Sabrina calling her out on her lies to Patrick about the paternity of the baby. The actual labor and birth happened the following week which is the week of Sept 9th.

I have really enjoyed the Maxie/Lante baby story though and if a baby had a responsibility for the ratings for the week it would probably be theirs since it was featured a lot that week

wow
” Total Viewers (2.97 million), generating the biggest year-to-year increases of any broadcast daytime drama”

BRAVO !! FV & RC !! and to ALL the cast of excellent Actors, Writers and Directors !!

DITTO!

Every day is great show! All I can say is yippee! It’s wonderful to see ratings for a soap opera doing so well.

General HOTpital is the best soap right now…i just wish they stop rushing patients to the tenth floor…Sabrina shouldve took Britts baby to the emergency room on the ground floor and not up to the tenth floor where nurse Felix instructed her to take the baby to even yet another floor…and Britt shouldve been there too!!!

@jimh (litb)….You have to realize “Sappy’s” built-in, one-track “GPS” primarily directs her to wherever she most believes Patrick could be at any given moment….that is always first and foremost in her mind, locating her “object of obsession.” That’s why she directly went to Drake Jr.’s floor of operation…the fact that she had a gravely ill newborn on her person was only of secondary import compared to finding her “loverboy!” LOL….

Just wait.. with the rating getting so much higher…. ABC will be cancelling it soon just like they did to OLTL….

( hopefully, I am joking….)

Debbie Downer, no ABC will not be cancelling GH!

ABC will not be cancelling GH any time soon! We have to have a positive not negative out look. GH IS ROCKIN HOT!!! I can’t wait to see more. I enjoy that much…. That’s entertainment!

I actually look forward to watching GH again – and had stopped completely during the Guza character assassination years.

Glad to see I am not alone.

The less I see of Freaky Franco and Kiki the better….they have been on screen a little less….my viewership therefore, has gone up. Could others feel the same way?

I certainly do. I never watch anything with Franco because the storyline is so offensive. I turn to something else.

This is good news for GH, of course, and its fans. And it shows the anniversary excitement continues. But tghis is good news for all daytime dramas. Those who claimed death of the soap opera in recent years are being proven wrong. Good writing, surprises, suspense, and attention to history and connection to everyday, coupled with top performances will keep us tuning in tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

Sadly, I wish I could be celebrating in Oakdale and Springfield and Bay City, too!

That a boy!!!’ Goog work Gh!!! Yayyyy

Congrats to everyone at GH! You all do such great work and you really deserve the success. Looking forward to the fall stories (Robin’s return, etc.).

Way to go GH; by far the best soap at this time!!!

Go gh! Robins return will increase ratings more

Great news!!! Itshould keep on building with all the comebacks… Robin and Robert!!!

The Damian/Maxie baby story line was riveting. However I was deeply disappointed with the current (hopefully not final) solution that Dante & Lulu kept the baby. This selflessness on Maxie and Spinelli part might be a bit more convincing if Lulu and Dante did not talk down to both Damian and Maxie quite frequently. There were a few points when they treated Maxie like public enemy #1 that I was just darn irritated with the direction of the events. Irritated enough not to watch until I read that Maxie and Damian get their baby.

Lulu’s lack of compassion for Maxie’s feelings was typical of her character – spoiled, selfish brat. I, for one, can’t wait for baby “Georgie” (NOT “Connie”) to be reunited with Maxie and for Spinelli to have the child he pines for.

The writing and producing team that made “One Liffe to Live” so great, Mr. Valentini and Mr. Carlivati are the reason for the ratings gains. . They can tell a story that respects the show’s history which is key to holding onto long time viewers. I mean writing the initials in blood on the floor next to Connie/Kate – who remembers that exact thing happening to poor beloved Diana Taylor to frame Annie back in the late ’70s?

Good stuff Ron! Also thanks for th scenes with Leslie Webber! I mean she WAS the center of that show when it skyrocketed into History.

When you bring back those glory days both in references and hidden winks, they are deeply appreciated.

When I read posts like this I can only conclude that they’re a plant from a studio employee.

Hi Elizabeth-

I assure you I am no “plant” but a long time soap viewer. I read your comment and I assume you are not a true soap lover….too bad ! It’s a lot of fun!

Congratulations GH! I’m 32 years old and have been watching the show for 32 years (thanks mom!). So even though I can’t remember anything before spotty bits of the early days of Frisco and Felicia, I’ve always loved spending time in Port Charles regardless of the ratings highs and lows. Always good to hear that the show is thriving. I hope it lasts another 50 years!

A certain couple was on 70% of the episodes and had the most airtime, Jasam, is gone. That’s the biggest change in the last year. Those airtime guzzlers couldn’t get higher ratings on their wedding and only posted good numbers on the overall characters departure. They also got the lowest ratings in the shows history, while having the most airtime. To not heavily attribute this to a certain character’s departure would be wrong, bacteria gone.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Who is Hudson in Cahoots With After Revealing Phone Call?

Published

on

By

The mysterious Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) is clearly in collusion with someone as witnessed on the Tuesday, August 24 episode of General Hospital.

Since Troy Lennon Appel made his debut on the soap on July 30, we already know he “appears” to be the true biological father of baby Phoebe, and is quite the bad dude after roughing up Ethan in Norway.

Now in Port Charles, claiming he is there for JJE (Jasper Jacks Enterprises) business, and with the edict to contact Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) and let her know her father named her the CEO of his company while he is “sailing” abroad, he was initially met with resistance when Josslyn refused to accept the job.

Courtesy/ABC

I’VE CHANGED MY MIND

However, after a recent turn of events, where Brennan (Chris McKenna) told Josslyn, the WSB has her next assignment, and it is to find out what’s going on with her father’s company, they demanded her to accept the CEO position. Now Josslyn is caught and has to back-petal after initially telling Hudson to bring her qualified candidates and she would pick one as her replacement.

In all-new episodes, while at the Quartermaine boathouse, Josslyn informed Hudson that she was now taking the CEO position. Josslyn cited that she realized she wanted to honor her father’s wishes and uphold his legacy.

Hudson is stunned and tries to dissuade her, and is quite suspicious over her sudden change of heart. Realizing no matter what he said Josslyn was not backing down, Hudson says he hadn’t been on board with Jax’s decision to give the company to Josslyn, but now he could see that maybe he’d  been wrong about her.

HUDSON HAS A PROBLEM

Josslyn says failing herself, or her father, isn’t an option and when she commits to something she goes all in. She tells Hudson that she would appreciate his support. Hudson says she has it, as she turns to walk away after dropping her bombshell decision on him.

Next, a very pissed off Hudson, picks up his phone and makes a call to someone and tells them that Josslyn took the job. He intimates that this is bad news and will screw up their plans. He tells the person on the other end that he is going to make her change her mind!

So, where is this leading? Who could Hudson be working with on the inside and who did he call? How do you see General Hospital weaving in Josslyn taking over JJE as their new WSB mystery story? Put your creative hats on and let us know your thoughts via the comment section. 

But first, check out the GH teaser below for today’s Wednesday, August 26 episode below, where Josslyn tells her mother, Carly to accept her decision of either taking the job at JJE or staying with the WSB!

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Josh Swickard Recalls Emotional Moment After His Final Scenes with Michael Easton, and Favorite ‘Chase’ Storyline

Published

on

By

Josh Swickard

Josh Swickard (Harrison Chase, General Hospital) is the special guest on this week’s all-new episode of Soapy Hosted by Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart. The GH fan favorite and leading men opened up about his life pre and post GH, his marriage to actress and producer, Lauren Swickard, and some of his toughest and most memorable moments during his eight-plus years as officer Chase of the PCPD.

One of the most heartbreaking moments came when Josh had to say farewell to his on-screen brother Finn played by soap veteran, Michael Easton. It was back on the Thursday, June 27, 2024 episode of General Hospital.

In it, Chase drives Finn to a rehab facility and the two brothers share a heartfelt talk in the car. Finn thanks Chase for allowing him to say goodbye to his daughter, Violet (Jophielle Love). Chase promises to take good care of her. However, Chase warns Finn to not to take any shortcuts on his way to sobriety and to always think of Violet’s wellbeing. It is apparent, the brothers don’t want to say goodbye, but on the count of three, Finn leaves Chase’s car and walks through the door of the rehab facility, while Chase in tears beats the steering wheel before drives away.

Photo: ABC

MISSING HIS TV BROTHER

Josh spoke to the “Soapy” podcast hosts about it and recalled, “In our last scenes together, and it was like his last day. Michael was like, ‘It’s okay.’ And I was like, ‘No, it’s not.’ I was supposed to be crying in the scene, I think. I was like a little glassy-eyed, a little glazed over. And then they were like, “And cut.”  I was like, “Great.” I just like went behind the car and wept.”

Speaking of his professional and personal relationship with Easton, Josh expressed, “Michael is an awesome guy. He’s such a sweetheart. We’ve done fan events together in New York and he would show me things, like, ‘This where I used to live  …’ He’s like an older brother to me.”

Not only did Josh lose his on-screen brother, but he also lost his on-screen father, Gregory, played by Gregory Harrison, when he was killed-off the show after the character battled ALS. “I think I was more just mourning friends that play family on a show, but a show that goes year after year, year round, and so they become family,” explained Swickard. “So, that part’s been hard for me of just losing friends that while, yes, you get to see each other, you get to call each other, it’s different (when they leave).”

Photo: JPI

CHASE IN A COMA IS FAVORITE OF JOSH’S

When asked, what has been his favorite storyline during his run on GH thus far, Josh took it back to when Chase became became critically ill after being poisoned by a toxic from Peter August (Wes Ramsey) meant for Finn. Eventually, Finn had to rescue his brother with the antidote for the toxin. That story played out from April to June 2021.

Josh explained, “Where I was in a coma and I was seizing and coughing and I had no blocking for like four months! It was great! It was a storyline where I was about to die and I had to say goodbye to a lot of lovely people and it was so exhausting. You get in the car and you feel like you got hit by a train every day because your body doesn’t fully know what acting is, apparently. I remember multiple days being like, ‘Oh, this is why I signed up for this.'”

Swickard also answered if there were moments in the storyline if he felt Chase was not going to survive. The GH star answered, “There were moments that I wondered.  However, I think they were pretty upfront with me. They were like, ‘This isn’t what’s going to happen.'”

Check out the full conversation with Josh on the ‘Soapy’ podcast via the comment section below.

Now let us know, what has been your favorite scenes of Josh as Chase on General Hospital during his run? Do you miss the relationship between Chase and his brother, Finn? Let us know via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Is This the End for Brennan?

Published

on

By

General Hospital

This week, all-new episodes of General Hospital tease a long-held secret revealed, a surprise cellmate and a life on the line. On Monday August 24, ABC released their weekly promo entitled “Keep Brennan Busy,” raising eyebrows that this could the beginning of the exit of the character, after it was reported that Chris McKenna (Brennan) is leaving the soap come this fall.

In the spoilers video: First, Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) is telling Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) that she has known the truth all along that she shot Drew (Cameron Mathison), even though she was her legal counsel and defender her during Willow’s trial of shooting the former congressman.

Willow is shocked, and her face shrinks up. What will she say in return? Will she just say, “yes” I did it and then blackmail Alexis to also keep her quiet, like she has been able to do to so many others?

Courtesy/ABC

DREW’S BACK TO HIS OLD SELF WITH A VENGEANCE

Next, Drew is suddenly on this renewed warpath to take down Sonny (Maurice Benard), but before he deals with that, he want to get the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief out of the way. He informs his partner in crime Ava Jerome (Maura West) over drinks at the Metro Court his plan for Brennan. While Drew tells Ava his agenda, we cut to: a woman’s hands pouring a packet full of powder into a drink at the Metro Court pool area.

Drew gives Ava her assignment, “I need you to keep Brennan busy while I search his hotel room.” The question becomes, who is the woman who is drugging Brennan? Is this the first attempt at taking out the guy foreshadowing the future, or could this be the demise of Brennan?

YOU NEVER KNOW WHO YOU MIGHT SEE IN THE SLAMMER

At the end of the video, Curtis (Donnell Turner) is seen in his cell at Pentonville. He gets what appears to be his new cellmate, and utters, “You?” Is this when Jenz Sidwell (Carlo Rota) has manipulated someone from the inside to visit Curtis and begin a plan to get what he wants from Jordan (Tanisha Harper) and use her lover to do his dirty work? Stay tuned.

Take a look at the rest of the official spoilers for the week of August 24-28 below.

MONDAY, AUGUST 24
Valentin makes a pitch to Jason. Brennan confronts Willow. Josslyn has news for Hudson. Laura briefs Anna. Tracy issues a warning.

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25
Jason encourages Carly. Obrecht wants answers. Anna is tempted. Ric jumps to conclusions. Lulu offers relationship advice.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26
Nina is enraged. Jordan makes her loyalties clear. Michael seeks Sonny’s advice. Tristan opens up about his past. Felicia stonewalls Brennan.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
Gio and Emma overhear an argument. Drew vows revenge. Ava feels slighted. Justine gets a shock. Alexis makes threat.

FRIDAY, AUGUST 28
Sonny makes a promise to Laura. Carly and Valentin make a decision. Anna offers support. Ava sets a trap. Drew is waylaid.

Check out the the latest GH promo, “Keep Brennan Busy” below.

Now let us know, do you think Drew’ plot against Brennan will be the untimely end of the WSB Port Charles Bureau Chief? How will Willow keep Alexis from opening her mouth about the fact that she shot Drew? Share your predictions and theories via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

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

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Heather Tom

The Bold and the Beautiful

Airdate: 7-24-2026

Popular

25
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x