April 1, 1963, was a momentous day in TV history when the General Hospital first aired its pilot. It’s been six decades now, and the show has become a part of American culture, earning the Guinness World Record for the longest-running American soap opera in production.
The show continues to be not just relevant but also one of the critically acclaimed shows that holds the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series and boasts 14 record-breaking wins.
It’s a general perception (no pun intended) that a series loses its charm on the 10-year mark of its airing. However, General Hospital subverted this notion by attaining a new milestone in 2009– TV Guide deemed the most-tuned-in episode “Luke and Laura’s Wedding” #45 on its list of the 100 Greatest Episodes.
The legacy of General Hospital continues to shine generation after generation as Americans tune in to Channel 7 religiously.
However, fans of the show were perplexed tuning on the channel when they saw a rerun instead of an original episode.
ABC slated the MLB Wild Card Series Showdown between the Texas Rangers and Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday, October 4. This slot was originally going to air a General Hospital episode, and it missed out. To clear the confusion, no one will miss out on the soap opera since they are airing reruns on October 4 and 5 (possibly if the baseball match extends). The new episodes of General Hospital are estimated to air on October 6, 2023, on Channel 7.
Why Was ABC’s General Hospital Rerun Today?
Imagine the fans’ confusion when they switched on Channel 7 on the auspicious timing of General Hospital and found Major League Baseball instead. But do not worry. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s happening with the schedule–
- ABC is covering the MLB Wild Card Series Showdown.
- These games are based on the win from the best two out of three. So, for example, if team A wins the first two matches, there would be no need for the third match. But if Team A wins the first match and Team B wins the second match, then the game would be extended for a third day.
- Based on these calculations, the games are certainly scheduled for October 3 and 4, 2023.
- In the extreme case, if neither of the teams is determined the winner, then another match will be covered on October 5, 2023.
- In conclusion, the best case scenario for a new episode of General Hospital would be on October 6, 2023, at the regular schedule.
Clearing the other confusion: the channel is currently airing the reruns of General Hospital
The longest-running show, with more than 15000 episodes, is hanging on a loose thread of possible season renewal. ABC hasn’t announced a new season yet. However, fans are optimistic considering the show’s successful run for decades, subverting tropes in every era.
Meanwhile, the latest development to the plot is showing positive signs that the soap opera might continue for another season.
Where Can You Watch ABC’s General Hospital?
ABC’s live streaming site is currently streaming all the General Hospital episodes. You can catch the reruns and new episodes at your convenience.
You can also stream the new episode on Hulu if you miss the Thursday episode. Another option is to subscribe to Amazon Prime for General Hospital episodes.
If you are a die-hard fan, go for the DVD box sets available at major stores.
Are you one of the OG fans of the show? What is your take on the rescheduling of the hit show?
Do you think that the show will be renewed for the new season? Let us know in the comments section below.
