General Hospital
Ron Carlivati issues statement on joining GH writing team & staying with OLTL till end!
Photo Credit: JPI Studios
The hottest writer in soaps these days, Ron Carlivati, the head scribe of One Life to Live, issued his official statement this afternoon after earlier reports that he has taken a new gig joining the writing team of General Hospital!
Fans of OLTL became very concerned when they heard the news, that this may mean the early exit of Carlivati in Llanview, but that is not the case. Ron in his statement reveals he will be remaining with One Life through to its final episode. Here is Carlivati’s statement below:
Ron: “I remain fully committed to Frank Valentini and One Life to Live as the show’s Headwriter until the series concludes in January of 2012. It has been my distinct honor to write for Agnes Nixon’s groundbreaking soap opera for the past fifteen years, and it will be with a heavy heart that I, along with my incredibly talented team, pen its finale. At that time, I am happy to announce that I will then be joining the writing team of General Hospital, and am thrilled to be working once again with Executive Producer Jill Phelps as well as new Headwriter Garin Wolf.”
It must be incredibly hard and bittersweet to write the finale of OLTL with Carlivati’s passion and love for the series and the citizens of Llanview. On-Air On-Soaps was touched by his sentiments, but we are also incredibly thrilled that ABC Daytime has chosen to keep his talents around to help shake up the town of Port Charles come early next year!
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.
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (Exclusive)
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
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)
‘Beyond the Gates’ Emmy Winner Ambyr Michelle Wants to Compete on ‘Dancing with the Stars’: ‘Pick Me’ (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’
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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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I dont understand your excitement. ABC will kill GH soon enough. Why get excited about what will surely be the end of GH at some point in 2012? I don’t congratulate ABC for ANYTHING and loathe every one in charge for killing two beloved soaps AMC and OLTL to replace them with garbage that is cheap to produce!
I am just so devestated that they are cancelling amc and oltl I have been watching for over forty years and I just don’t know what i’m going to do at 1:00 and 2:00 please someone come to our rescue!!!!!!!!!!!
Very sad to see that this is just another realization that the end is really quite near for OLTL/AMC. While I am upset about this for sure, if there is no way to save OLTL/AMC (and I am still hoping there might be a save in the works by some other cable or network station), I am happy to see Ron’s talents go to GH. I wish him the best for the rest of his tenure at the wonderful OLTL, and much success and a long run at GH!
Wow! That is some news fromCarlivati. It’s bittersweet to hear. Who knows when OLTL leaves, there is no more GH? I just don’t want to see another talk show take its place. Haven’t all the topics they have done or will do already been addressed. Give Katie the Oprah four -o-clock central time slot. Really, what more can they tell us about ourselves? Ron, it’s along time until January. Better sharpen your pencils…..
I think ABC is making a terrible mistake canceling AMC/OLTL. I agree with the previous poster that if the powers at ABC do not change, GH is soon to follow. Brian Frons just doesn’t get the devotion of soap followers. With breaks here and there I too have watched ABC soaps since the early 70’s. Through all of life’s ups and downs they were a constant. I remember moving across the country to a place I had never been before. Talk about stress. I remember turning on the tv in the hotel I stopped in along the way, and watching GH. A little calm in the storm of life. They were like family. When life was particularly busy I would stop watching for a while, but always tuned in for a “visit” when I could. I always wondered if I would continue to watch in my older years. I don’t have to wonder anymore but I know what I won’t be watching. ABC.
I’ve had a crush on him for many years and am happy he’s still in the writing game for soaps but its still part of the same “good ole boy’ Frons network…
I admire his writing though he’s doesn’t come off misogynistic, he writes for women over forty. for vets which is a huge plus for me..something GH refused to do…he tells good story for the most part. He will be a scriptwriter from what I understand, so however he can lend a helping hand to this horrid show (for me) I welcome it. I respect his talent enough to do that. With GH at #6 out of 6 they need all the help they can get..however hate to be a Debby Downer but I still feel GH will be cancelled somewhere in 2012. Sweeney wants out of the soap business so there it is.
Well, with Ron Carlivati coming on board to write with the GH writers, I might have to give GH one last chance… but I am still very bothered by ABC cancelling OLTL ! Like most viewers, not alot of ABC shows hold my interest (all the reality shows, can’t stand them) but I am very happy that Ron Carlivati will still be employed and writing for a show. Many thanks to him and all involved in making OLTL the best show to watch.
He better not get too comfy af GH, the axe is about to fall…..
Maybe I will tune in to GH once his episodes start airing. That show needs some much need humor and more attention given to it’s supporting cast. It can’t survive on Sonny and Jason…and whatever girl they are with. If the mob backdrop is not changed then I will not be able to get into it. They show used to have larger than life mystery and adventure. Now it has angry talking and lots of gunfire. I like angry talking when it is intelligent banter…..like how Monica, Alan, and the Qs used to fight. Not when it is the same conversations over and over.
There are so many issues at ABC – Frons, Disney, executive producers and writers of the soaps. We put up an excellent fight! We let them know how we feel, but in the end, it was all about money. I am going to wish the cast and crew of each show all the best in their new endeavors. In the past few months AMC and OLTL have been on fire. The ratings have increased, but the execs are not paying attention. I will watch GH to offer support and to sample the new writing regime with Garin Wolf and Ron Carlivati. GH is a very good show and they have a talented cast. But, the so many of the cast members are being wasted. The show cannot continue to showcase the mob, Sonny, Jason, Carly, Sam, Michael, Lulu and Dante. Give us the Quartermaines, bring back Bobbie and Monica. Let Michael tap into his Quartermaine roots and let Edward play a part in that. I don’t want to see another show bite the dust. It doesn’t have to happen. We have to play our part as well. We can’t be fickle fans and stop tuning in when the stories do not go in the direction that we like. THAT is what the Frons wants. He wants to convince Disney that we no longer care about soaps. I am so pissed that I could spit, that we are losing AMC & OLTL, but I am going to watch till the end; not watch The Chew, the makeover show and maybe not The View. GH needs our support.
I agreement with you!
I am really will to be miss of AMC/OLTL for my teen times but I grewing all my life was GH, I think time need to saving a GH and I willing to join a writing team in my plan for me…
Ok, so I don’t get it…..he’s a good enough writer to join the team over at GH, but OLTL is not written or acted well enough to keep on the air? This is sooooo confusing to me. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I don’t begrudge Ron for moving over to GH….this is just another move by the head of ABC daytime, aka Brian Frons, that I just don’t understand. Cancel a great show like OLTL that is well written, directed and the acting is spectacular….then take that writer and place him on a show. One that I might add, that ABC will undoubtedly cancel some time next year. ABC just confuses me.