"General Hospital" is a long-running American daytime soap opera, holding records for its longevity. Listed in Guinness World Records, it is the longest-running American soap opera in production and the second longest in American history. Globally, it is the third longest-running scripted drama series still in production. Premiering in 1963, "General Hospital" holds the record for the most Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Drama Series.
April 1, 1963: Premiere of General Hospital
On April 1, 1963, "General Hospital" premiered on ABC, replacing the game show "Yours for a Song." The show was set in an unnamed midsize Eastern city and initially focused on the lives of medical staff and patients on the seventh floor of General Hospital.
1963: General Hospital Filming Locations
Since its inception in 1963, General Hospital has been filmed in Hollywood, initially at the Sunset Gower Studios until the mid-1980s before relocating to The Prospect Studios.
1963: Setting of General Hospital
Since its start in 1963, General Hospital has been set in the fictional town of Port Charles, New York, which exists in the same universe as other soap opera settings like Llanview and Pine Valley.
March 25, 1966: The Young Marrieds Airs Final Episode
ABC's first attempt at a sister serial for General Hospital, "The Young Marrieds", aired its series finale on March 25, 1966, ending in a cliffhanger with the main protagonist contemplating suicide.
1968: ABC Acquires General Hospital
In 1968, ABC bought General Hospital outright, transferring its ownership from Selmur Productions to American Broadcasting Companies, Inc.
1974: General Hospital Wins Daytime Emmy Awards
General Hospital's cast and crew have won numerous awards since 1974, the year the Daytime Emmy Awards were created, recognizing the show's excellence in daytime television.
1975: British "General Hospital" Expands Format
The British television series "General Hospital," inspired by the American show's format, expanded to an hour-long format and moved to Friday evenings in 1975.
July 23, 1976: General Hospital Expands to 45 Minutes
On July 23, 1976, "General Hospital" expanded its runtime from 30 minutes to 45 minutes, a sign of its growing popularity and the demand for more in-depth storytelling.
July 26, 1976: General Hospital Expands to 45 Minutes
On July 26, 1976, "General Hospital" expanded its runtime from 30 minutes to 45 minutes.
January 16, 1978: General Hospital Expands to One Hour
On January 16, 1978, "General Hospital" made another leap in its format, expanding from 45 minutes to a full hour, solidifying its position as a major player in daytime television and allowing for even more complex and multi-layered storylines.
1978: General Hospital Expanded to One Hour
In 1978, ABC expanded General Hospital from an experimental 45 minutes to a full hour, with a mandate to improve ratings within six months. Executive producer Gloria Monty and head writer Douglas Marland led the show's transformation, resulting in increased viewership.
1979: General Hospital Becomes Most-Watched Daytime Drama
By 1979, General Hospital had become the most-watched daytime drama, a remarkable turnaround from its previous struggles, thanks to the efforts of Gloria Monty and Douglas Marland.
1979: General Hospital's Ratings Dominance Begins
From 1979 to 1988, General Hospital remained the number one daytime drama, despite competition from other shows and the departure of key actors like Anthony Geary and Genie Francis.
January 1980: General Hospital Pre-empted in Dayton, Ohio
Despite its peak popularity in the 1980s, General Hospital was pre-empted by WDTN in Dayton, Ohio, in January 1980 in favor of cartoons.
November 17, 1981: Luke and Laura's Wedding
On November 17, 1981, "General Hospital" aired Luke and Laura's wedding, which became the most-watched event in daytime serial history, drawing in a record-breaking audience and solidifying the supercouple's iconic status.
1984: Brief Dethroning by Guiding Light
In the middle of 1984, Guiding Light briefly dethroned General Hospital as the top-rated daytime drama, though General Hospital quickly regained its position.
1986: Ownership by Capital Cities/ABC
Ownership of General Hospital passed to Capital Cities/ABC in 1986 following the acquisition of ABC by Capital Cities Communications.
1987: Gloria Monty Departs, Transition Period Begins
In 1987, Gloria Monty, known for her innovative work on "General Hospital," left the show, leading to a period of transition for the long-running series as it sought to redefine itself for a new era.
1988: General Hospital Maintains Top Ratings
General Hospital continued to dominate the ratings until 1988, competing successfully against various other daytime shows and maintaining its popularity.
1989: The Young and the Restless Takes Over as Top-Rated Serial
In 1989, The Young and the Restless overtook General Hospital as the highest-rated daytime serial, although General Hospital continued to maintain strong ratings.
1991: General Hospital Ratings Decline
Beginning in the 1991–1992 season, General Hospital experienced a steady decline in ratings, fluctuating between third and fifth place in the Nielsen ratings.
1992: General Hospital Ratings Decline
Beginning in the 1991–1992 season, General Hospital experienced a steady decline in ratings, fluctuating between third and fifth place in the Nielsen ratings.
1992: Wendy Riche Takes Helm, Focus on Social Issues
In 1992, Wendy Riche took over as executive producer of "General Hospital," ushering in an era marked by critical acclaim for the show's sensitive and groundbreaking handling of important social issues.
1994: Nurses' Ball and HIV/AIDS Awareness
In 1994, "General Hospital" introduced the annual Nurses' Ball, a fundraiser and HIV/AIDS awareness event that became a beloved tradition both on the show and in real life, reflecting the show's commitment to addressing critical social issues.
1995: General Hospital Returns to WVNY
Following a hiatus in the 1980s, General Hospital was brought back to WVNY in Vermont and Plattsburgh, New York, in 1995 after being dropped from the schedule.
1995: Stone and Robin's AIDS Storyline
In 1995, "General Hospital" tackled the issue of HIV/AIDS through the poignant love story of teenagers Stone Cates and Robin Scorpio. The storyline, praised for its realism and sensitivity, followed the couple's struggles with Stone's diagnosis and the impact it had on their lives and those around them.
December 14, 1996: General Hospital: Twist of Fate Primetime Episode
On December 14, 1996, General Hospital aired one of its three primetime episodes titled 'General Hospital: Twist of Fate'. The episode continued the storyline from the previous day's episode and revolved around Laura's supposed death at the hands of Stefan Cassadine.
1996: All My Children Surpasses General Hospital in Ratings
From late 1991 to 1996, "All My Children" held the title of ABC's highest-rated soap opera, surpassing General Hospital in the ratings.
1996: The Walt Disney Company Acquires ABC
In 1996, The Walt Disney Company acquired Capital Cities/ABC, and with it, ownership of General Hospital, which Disney has retained since then.
1997: Spin-off 'Port Charles' Premieres
In 1997, General Hospital's spin-off, 'Port Charles', premiered as a half-hour serial, expanding the show's universe.
April 2, 1998: General Hospital 35th Anniversary Special
General Hospital celebrated its 35th anniversary with a primetime special hosted by Anthony Geary on April 2, 1998, which recapped popular storylines without incorporating the current storyline.
September 2000: General Hospital Returns to Dayton
After a two-decade absence, General Hospital returned to WDTN in Dayton, Ohio, in September 2000, replacing "Maury" due to community standards concerns.
February 20, 2006: 11,000th Episode of General Hospital
General Hospital aired its 11,000th episode on February 20, 2006, marking a significant milestone in the series' long history.
July 12, 2007: "General Hospital: Night Shift" Premieres
"General Hospital: Night Shift," the second American primetime spinoff of a daytime drama, premiered on Soapnet on July 12, 2007.
October 4, 2007: "General Hospital: Night Shift" Season One Concludes
The first season of "General Hospital: Night Shift" concluded on October 4, 2007, after airing on Soapnet.
March 2008: "General Hospital: Night Shift" Success Announced
By March 2008, the first season of "General Hospital: Night Shift" was declared Soapnet's most-watched series ever, attracting over a million new viewers to the channel.
2008: General Hospital Moves to High Definition
In 2008, the primetime spin-off 'General Hospital: Night Shift' was broadcast in high definition, setting the stage for the main series to follow suit the next year.
June 2009: Luke and Laura's Wedding Ranked by TV Guide
In June 2009, TV Guide ranked 'Luke and Laura's Wedding' at number forty-five on its list of the '100 Greatest Episodes', highlighting the iconic moment in General Hospital's history.
February 23, 2010: 12,000th Episode of General Hospital
On February 23, 2010, General Hospital celebrated the airing of its 12,000th episode, showcasing its enduring popularity and success.
December 1, 2011: Executive Changes Announced
ABC announced on December 1, 2011, that Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati would replace Jill Farren Phelps and Garin Wolf as executive producer and head writer of General Hospital, respectively. The change took effect on January 9, 2012.
January 9, 2012: New Executive Producer and Head Writer Take Charge
On January 9, 2012, Frank Valentini and Ron Carlivati officially took over as executive producer and head writer of General Hospital, respectively.
February 1, 2012: First Episode Under New Direction
The first episode under the direction of new executive producer Frank Valentini aired on February 1, 2012, marking a new era for General Hospital.
April 11, 2012: General Hospital Escapes Cancellation
Deadline Hollywood reported that ABC had quietly decided to keep General Hospital on the air, contrary to cancellation rumors, opting instead to cancel the lower-rated talk show "The Revolution" on April 11, 2012.
June 26, 2012: General Hospital Timeslot Change Announced
On June 26, 2012, ABC officially announced that General Hospital would move to the 2 p.m. ET/PT timeslot, starting on September 10, 2012, to accommodate Katie Couric's new talk show, "Katie".
September 10, 2012: General Hospital Timeslot Change Implemented
On June 26, 2012, ABC officially announced that General Hospital would move to the 2 p.m. ET/PT timeslot, starting on September 10, 2012, to accommodate Katie Couric's new talk show, "Katie".
2012: General Hospital Wins Creative Arts Emmys
In 2012, General Hospital won several Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which had been established to honor technical and artistic achievements in daytime television.
April 6, 2013: "General Hospital: The Real Soap Dish" Airs on 20/20
ABC's newsmagazine "20/20" aired a special titled "General Hospital: The Real Soap Dish" on April 6, 2013, offering a retrospective and behind-the-scenes look at the show, hosted by Katie Couric.
2013: 50th Anniversary Celebrations
In 2013, General Hospital celebrated its 50th anniversary with special storylines and the return of popular characters, paying homage to its rich history.
January 2014: Ron Carlivati's Contract Renewed
In January 2014, ABC renewed the contract of head writer Ron Carlivati, ensuring his continued contribution to General Hospital.
February 24, 2014: 13,000th Episode of General Hospital
General Hospital celebrated its 13,000th episode on February 24, 2014, highlighting its long-running success in daytime television.
September 5, 2014: "General Hospital Now!" Web Series Announced
On September 5, 2014, Nancy Lee Grahn, a cast member on General Hospital, was announced as the host of a companion web series for ABC.com, titled "General Hospital Now!", set to launch in January 2015.
January 2015: "General Hospital Now!" Web Series Premieres
On September 5, 2014, Nancy Lee Grahn, a cast member on General Hospital, was announced as the host of a companion web series for ABC.com, titled "General Hospital Now!", set to launch in January 2015.
April 1, 2015: 52nd Anniversary of General Hospital
On April 1, 2015, General Hospital celebrated its 52nd anniversary with a special episode focusing on the Spencer family, commemorating over five decades of storytelling.
July 2015: Carlivati Fired as Head Writer
In July 2015, it was revealed that Ron Carlivati was fired as head writer of General Hospital, and Shelly Altman and Jean Passanante were hired as his successors.
2015: General Hospital Airs Live Episodes
As part of its 52nd-anniversary celebration, General Hospital aired two live episodes on May 15 and 18, 2015, using the hashtag #GHLive for social media promotion.
September 16, 2016: Re-signing of Key Personnel
On September 16, 2016, Valentini, Passanante, and Altman re-signed their contracts with General Hospital, ensuring continuity in the show's production team.
June 6, 2017: Jean Passanante Announces Retirement
Jean Passanante announced her retirement from General Hospital on June 6, 2017, marking the end of her tenure as a co-head writer.
July 29, 2017: Chris Van Etten Promoted
On July 29, 2017, it was revealed that breakdown writer Chris Van Etten would be promoted to co-head writer, succeeding Jean Passanante.
February 23, 2018: 14,000th Episode of General Hospital
General Hospital aired its 14,000th episode on February 23, 2018, marking another significant milestone in the show's history.
July 30, 2019: Shelly Altman Announces Retirement
On July 30, 2019, Shelly Altman announced her retirement from General Hospital, with Dan O'Connor named as her successor, joining Chris Van Etten as co-head writer.
March 2020: Production Suspended Due to COVID-19
Production of General Hospital was suspended in March 2020 as a direct result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, halting the show's filming schedule.
March 2020: General Hospital Production Halted Due to COVID-19
Production of General Hospital was suspended in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to the airing of repeats and vintage episodes.
July 22, 2020: General Hospital Production Resumes
After a production suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, General Hospital resumed filming on July 22, 2020, with new episodes airing from August 3.
August 3, 2020: Resumption of Production During COVID-19
General Hospital resumed production on July 22, 2020, after a suspension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and new episodes began airing on August 3, 2020. It was the first Disney series to go back into production during the pandemic.
December 2023: Variety Ranks General Hospital Among Greatest TV Shows
In December 2023, Variety ranked General Hospital at number eighty-eight on its list of the '100 Greatest TV Shows of All Time', citing the Luke and Laura pairing and the show's sixtieth anniversary as key highlights.
December 15, 2023: General Hospital 60th Anniversary Special Announced
ABC announced on December 15, 2023, that a primetime special, "General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling," would air to celebrate the soap opera's 60th anniversary.
January 4, 2024: General Hospital 60th Anniversary Special Airs
The primetime special "General Hospital: 60 Years of Stars and Storytelling," celebrating the soap opera's 60th anniversary, aired on January 4, 2024, featuring interviews with cast members, behind-the-scenes footage, and a fan tribute.
January 22, 2024: Dismissal of Van Etten and O'Connor
On January 22, 2024, Van Etten and O'Connor were dismissed from their positions as co-head writers of General Hospital, and Patrick Mulcahey and Elizabeth Korte were named as their replacements.
March 2024: End of Former Regime's Material
In March 2024, material from the previous regime of co-head writers Van Etten and O'Connor aired for the last time, marking the end of an era in General Hospital's narrative direction.