‘General Hospital’ Ratings Hold Steady Despite Soap Opera Industry Changes
“General Hospital” continues to hold its position as ABC’s daytime flagship, while the broader soap opera industry undergoes significant changes in viewership and renewal patterns. The long-running medical drama, now in its 62nd year, remains a steady performer for the network despite the challenging landscape facing all daytime programming.
Recent ratings data show “General Hospital” averaging 1.906 million viewers this season, a modest 1.74% increase over the previous year. While the show has experienced some fluctuation in the coveted 18-49 female demographic, dropping to a 0.15 rating, the overall viewership growth demonstrates the series’ continued relevance with its core audience.
The soap opera genre as a whole has seen dramatic shifts in recent years, with only four network daytime dramas remaining active. CBS leads the pack with three offerings, while ABC maintains its single entry with “General Hospital,” creating an interesting competitive dynamic in daytime television.
ABC typically doesn’t announce formal renewals for “General Hospital,” instead allowing the show to continue its run without fanfare. This indicates that ABC trusts the show to continue and sees it as a permanent part of their schedule.
The current television season has brought both challenges and opportunities for daytime programming, with streaming platforms providing new avenues for audience engagement while traditional broadcast viewing faces continued pressure from changing media consumption habits.
Competitive Landscape and Network Positioning
The ratings competition among the remaining soap operas reveals interesting patterns in audience preferences and network strategies. According to the latest Nielsen data, “The Young and the Restless” leads in total viewership with 2.884 million, followed by “The Bold and the Beautiful” with 2.583 million, and “General Hospital” in third place.
CBS’s newest entry, “Beyond the Gates,” launched in February 2025 as the first new network soap in 25 years, initially scoring 1.810 million viewers in its premiere week. The show centers on the multi-generational Dupree family in a Washington, D.C., area gated community, proving CBS still supports soap operas.
The competitive dynamics have intensified as each network seeks to maintain its daytime programming foothold. “General Hospital” has faced particular scrutiny following several high-profile cast departures, including the controversial exit of Kelly Monaco’s character, Sam McCall, after more than 2 decades on the show.
Despite these challenges, General Hospital demonstrated its lasting appeal by reaching the number one spot on Hulu during the week of June 2-6. The show moved from 12th place to the top spot, surpassing popular programs like “ABC 2020,” “The Handmaid’s Tale,” “Family Guy,” and “Nine Perfect Strangers.”
Industry Stability and Future Outlook
The renewal landscape for daytime dramas has brought encouraging news for soap opera fans. “The Young and the Restless” secured renewal through the 2027-2028 television season, while “The Bold and the Beautiful” received a three-season extension through the same period. “Days of Our Lives,” which moved to Peacock, earned a two-season renewal on the streaming platform.
“Beyond the Gates,” despite being the newest entry, received a second-season renewal. These renewals suggest that networks continue to see value in the soap opera format, even as the genre operates with a smaller footprint than in previous decades.
While “General Hospital” hasn’t received a formal renewal announcement, the absence of cancellation news often signals stability for long-running programs. The show’s consistent performance and loyal fanbase are strong arguments for its continued success in future seasons.