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RATINGS: ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ Strong Gains Year-Over-Year; ‘General Hospital’ Fifth Week With Over 2 Million Viewers

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC and CBS

After last week’s boffo soap ratings, where as previously reported, all network daytime dramas reached season highs and more on the heels of the winter storm that gripped a good portion of the United States forcing people to stay home, we can now also report that in the latest Nielsen ratings for the week of February 2-6, 2026, while not as glowing as the previous week, the soaps were well over their marks a year ago at this time.

Leading the charge, according to Soap Opera Network was CBS daytime’s The Bold and the Beautiful who came in with just under 3 million total viewers with 2.945 million. That is a decrease of just 48,000 eyeballs from the previous week. But here’s the good news of network soaps, B&B had shown the most increase in viewership year-to-year with plus 271,000 total viewers. In addition, in the key Women 18-39 demo it ranked #1 for the week above all the other soaps.

In story, while Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) is unaware that her husband Deacon (Sean Kanan) is making out with his therapist, Taylor Hayes (Rebecca Budig), the good doc’s ex, Ridge Forrester (Thorsten Kaye) catches the two in a passionate kiss and demands Taylor stop this burgeoning relationship for the safety of their families, given Sheila’s penchant for violence and revenge, if the truth were to come out .. and we know it will!

The Young and the Restless remained number one overall for the rating period with 3,369,000 total viewers, slightly down from the previous week, but also far ahead of last year at this time with year-over-year data at +219,000. It also remained the top soap in the key demo of Women 25-54.

As for General Hospital, the long-running ABC soap, is getting its ratings groove back, as for the fifth time in six weeks, GH crossed the two million total viewer line. This come on the strength of Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) revealing to Drew (Cameron Mathison), while he is drugged (which appears as a stroke), she confesses, it was she who shot him and now she is going to keep him out of her way by continuing to drug him, so she can get her children back and a start a new life for herself.

GH officially came in with 2.185 million viewers for the ratings period, and of note marked its longest streak with over 2 million total viewers since back in March of 2024. This also was the soap opera’s second-largest audience of 2026. In addition the series is up year-to-year +265,000.

The upstart Beyond the Gates landed at 1,738,000 total viewers for the ratings period, that’s down from its previous week which was its current all-time high by 121,000 eyeballs. However, BTG’s showing for this ratings period marked its third best in hits history. The series slightly dipped in its key demos.

So, what did you think of the current ratings picture? Which soap opera is floating your boat the most? Which is not? Share you thoughts via the comment section below.

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Glad to see Beyond the Gates holding strong; the preemptions during this week surely did not help any of the soaps, though.

Time for another soap. Can we have a Quartermaine spin-off?

Yes like a gothic Wyndemere soap!

There’s really not that many of the Qs to warrant a spinoff.

Legend has it that originally Ned and Lois were going to be spun off in the 90s, but “Port Charles” instead launched with Lucy, Scott and Kevin.

At one time they tried a nite time version of GENERAL HOSPITAL with Robin and a few “old-timers but it was either on a channel everyone didn’t get or it was opposite of established shows. I never had the chance to watch it.

GH: Night Shift aired for two seasons on SoapNet. The channel’s tight budget and ABC’s waning interest in soaps sealed the fate of the show.

What a great idea! And maybe Y&R can have a William’s family spin off!

Is that a joke? Because Paul Williams is gone, and his parents, including Mary Williams, the insane Holy roller, are long deceased. I hear Patty Cakes Williams is coming back.

Loving GH and B&B right now

I love GH, so glad I went back to watching it!

ME TOO Its the best!!!!!

This has nothing to do with ratings. But here I go.

I have a whole trunkful of VHS tapes going back to 1982. I know there are episodes on them from every daytime and nighttime soaps going through 1982 to the 2000’s. There are also several Soap Opera Digest awards show as well as several daytime Emmy broadcasts.I no longer have a VHS machine but I know there is a lot of interesting valuable footage on them.

My question is what do I do with all these tapes? are they worth saving? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

That’s quite a collection! All the network soaps were archived by the early 1980’s. It’s the ‘70s and before where original episodes no longer exist.

NATAS likely has the recordings of the Daytime Emmy broadcasts. You might want to contact Soap Opera Digest to see if they need the copies of their shows. Might be an interesting addition to their website.

Thanks for your reply. I realize that episodes from the 80,s are archived but that doesn’t mean they are all available for public viewing. You Tube has scattered full and partial episodes but I know i have a lot of footage not currently available on You Tube. Also I know the last 2 years of the Doctors was all erased and I do have some of those episodes on my tapes. Problem is I was young back then and not great at labelling my tapes but I do know that I have some stuff that people would love to see. But in this day in age I don’t know if anyone would be interested in going through all my tapes.They are just taking up space so maybe it is time to just dump them?

I hope someone can offer you some wise words of expertise. I’m certainly no expert, but I bet those VHS tapes are a real treasure and someone would be interested! Wish I could help.

I do not believe these ratings I watch none have not four months today thought someone might tell me come on back nobody did.

Um, please proofread your comments before clicking “post comment”.

I do not need none of you’re advice as I right very good and no one might tell me to right better but nobody did.

At the risk of sounding like a certain belly- aching, snow- flake, dishonest, whiny, paranoid, bitchy little president, I say these ratings are rigged! Rigged, I tell ya! How on earth is the least watchable soap ( that would be Y&R) continue to hold its spot as number one?

Simple answer – it airs directly after the ratings juggernaut “The Price is Right” in many markets.

Oh. Well, there’s that.

I think it’s Lunchtime slot helps ,Also..

Payola!

I’m so very happy for GH! I hope it can sustain this ratings streak.
Every list has to have some show come in first and last. First doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best and last doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the worse. I hope people are gentle and realize we NEED all five soaps to do well.

Bills wife Haley is getting annoying. She acts like she never had anything. Bill needs a more mature woman.

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Finn Carr Weighs-In on Potential Rocco and Scout Teen Romance

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Finn Carr, Kayden Brenna Tokarski

Finn Carr, who delivered powerful performances on General Hospital, when Rocco shot WSB director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) and its aftermath, may be headed for his first on-screen love story on the ABC soap opera.

Ever since it was announced that the long-running daytime drama decided to age-up Scout Cain, and in a few recent scenes between Rocco and Scout, it’s clear these two share similar interests and like each other.

Scout is now played by Kayden Brenna Tokarski, who made her GH debut back on July 20 as the daughter of Drew Cain (Cameron Mathison) and the late Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco).

Rocco and Scout

Photo: ABC

In a newly-released virtual segment with ABC11 North Carolina’s GH virtual insider, Dearon Smith, both Finn Carr and Asher Antonyzyn talked about working on a soap opera, while finishing high school, and teasing what’s ahead for Danny and Rocco. While Finn and Asher couldn’t give too much away, Smith asked Finn Carr if there is something brewing between Scout and Rocco?

WHAT’S NEXT FOR ROCCO AND DANNY?

Carr responded, “That’s an interesting question. Kaden is great to work with, and I love working with her. There definitely is some great stuff coming up that people are going to want to watch. It’s good stuff and really fun.”

Apparently, Danny and Rocco will also find themselves once again in some trouble, but as Finn tells it looks like this time, Danny will take the brunt of it. “We get into a lot of trouble … well, Danny gets into a lot of trouble … but I do a lot though.” Very cryptic indeed!

You can check out the full conversation with Finn and Asher with ABC11 below.

Now, let us know, would you like to see Rocco have a girlfriend, and that it would be Scout? Do you think Finn and Kayden work well together on-screen? Share your thoughts via the comment section.

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General Hospital

Laura Wright Signs New Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Laura Wright

While there have been plenty of on-screen newcomers in recent weeks on General Hospital, no need to worry about one of its mainstays, with the news from Daytime Emmy winner, Laura Wright, herself. Wright who plays Carly Spencer on the ABC soap opera has revealed on X, that she just re-signed a new deal with the soap opera to remain in Port Charles.

Wright is the fourth actress to play Carly, following in the footsteps of the OG Carly, Sarah Brown, Tamara Brown, and Jennifer Bransford. In fact, Laura left her major role on Guiding Light as Cassie Layne Winslow to take over the role of Bobbie Spencer’s (the late Jackie Zeman) complex daughter in November of 2005. Now almost 21 years later, Laura has made Carly her own and has delivered memorable performance after memorable performance throughout her run.

When a fans commented on X, “Can I just say if you ever leave General Hospital as Carly I will stop watching the show. I honestly have loved you and think that you are the best person to play Carly,” Laura Wright jumped in to the thread and assured her and other GH fans, that she has no plans to go anywhere else.

Photo: ABC

LAURA WRIGHT STAYING PUT AT GENERAL HOSPITAL AND FANS ARE HAPPY SHE’S STICKING AROUND

Laura expressed, “I’m not going anywhere, just signed a new contract!!!” Since she made her public statement, many GH fans were thrilled with the news with comments such as: I would’ve been devastated if you weren’t sticking around. You’ve truly made Carly your own after so many years, ” and Happy to hear this, I always enjoy #GH more when Carly is on,” plus “So glad you’re sticking around as Carly. Love Carly and can’t wait for more #Caradine and #Jarly”

One fans hopes Laura will be on for years to come a la Jane Elliot’s tenure as Tracy Quartermaine saying, “Awesome. It’s so fun getting to see the full life of a character. Hope you stick around for many more years. I think Carly will be a hoot in her Tracy Quartermaine era.”

Laura Wright’s road to General Hospital started back on ABC’s Loving when she first played  Allison “Ally” Rescott on Loving (1991 to 1995) and then its spinoff The City (1995 to 1997). She later joined Guiding Light as Cassie, who was revealed to be the sister of Reva Shayne played by Kim Zimmer. She played the part from 1997-2005. From then on its been all GH scoring a Lead Actress Daytime Emmy win in 2011, along with eight total nominations throughout her daytime career.

Currently, Carly is involved in a romance with Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), but it’s on shaky ground with Anna Devane back in the picture not so happy to see the two canoodling, and Carly having been warned by Sonny that Valentin is not trustworthy.

However, after seeing Laura’s post that she has signed on to stay at GH, James Patrick Stuart commented on X  reacted by stating, “Phew!”

So, happy to hear Laura has re-signed with General Hospital and will continue her role as Carly Spencer? Let us know via the comment section below.

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General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Willow Feels The Effects of Jacinda’s Drugs; Josslyn Find Out She’s CEO of Jasper Jacks Enterprises

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Willow

On the Friday, August 7, episode of General Hospital, Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) unknowingly has put her children Amelia and Wiley in danger, Drew (Cameron Mathison) and Ava (Maura West) appear to be in collusion against Sonny, and Josslyn (Eden McCoy) and Hudson (Troy Lennon Appel) get off to a rocky start (which as you know in soaps could be a love match down the line!).

Here’s what went down as most of the action took place at the Metro Court pool area: First, Josslyn meets with Hudson, who reveals himself to be none other than the VP of Operations for JJE (Jasper Jacks Enterprises). Hudson tells Josslyn he was sent to Port Charles from Australia, while her dad was sailing around the world as he had named her the new CEO of his company.

Josslyn immediately puts her foot down and tells Hudson she is not accepting the position. He asks, why? She informs him that she works as a WSB agent. Hudson seems stunned and his interest is piqued.

Hudson

Courtesy/ABC

HUDSON DOESN’T KNOW WHAT TO MAKE OF JOSSLYN

In turn, they get into a tiff, where Hudson is annoyed that he flew all the way around the world and wasted his time. Meanwhile, Josslyn is annoyed that her father didn’t even bother to ask her if she wanted to run the company. In the end, Josslyn tells Hudson to get her a list of qualified candidates, one of which she can sign the company over to.  She then storms off.

However, Hudson spots Ava Jerome, whom he knows was speaking with Ethan in Norway, and who knows about Ethan’s involvement with baby Phoebe. Ava is busy talking with Drew on how they mutual disdain of Sonny, and it should be the driving force for them to work together to take him down. Ava wants no more threats over her head of having Avery taken away from her by her father. Drew is all ears!

Michael (Rory Gibson) meets up at the pool with Jacinda. She shows him the restraining order that Willow got from the courts against her to stay away from the children. Michael promises to get his lawyers to fight it.

However, Michael knows something is up when Jacinda said, “Willow is about to make a public mistake,” hoping that pills she put in Willow’s iced coffee have begun to spin the congresswoman out of control. Michael demanded to know what Jacinda had done to Willow.

Josslyn

Courtesy/ABC

WILLOW’S ABOUT TO GO FOR A DANGEROUS DRIVE

Elsewhere at Nina’s, Willow got a surprise when Amelia and Wiley showed up. Now, she will have them for the afternoon and decides they are going to have fun day. After a slight scare when Wiley picked up her iced coffee, Willow told her son to put down the drink because it has caffeine in it. However, then Willow began to drink it herself unaware that Jacinda spiked it with drugs.

In the final moments of the episode, Willow’s behavior changes as she is now over-excited about taking the kids to the arcade. A drugged Willow grabs her car keys, and she and Amelia and Wiley head out to the car. We fade to black.

So, did you feel on-screen chemistry between Hudson and Josslyn? Do you like Drew and Ava teaming up? Do you think Willow gets into a car accident with Amelia and Wiley in the car, which in turn, will kick Jacinda to the curb with Michael? Share your thoughts on what happens next and more in the comment section below. But first for some clues, take a look at the General Hospital preview that aired for Monday’s August 10th episode during the closing of today’s GH.

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

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