General Hospital (1963)
The legendary ABC daytime soap opera set in Port Charles, New York — captivating audiences with drama, romance, and intrigue for over six decades.
General Hospital - Series Information
- Original Title: General Hospital
- First Air Year: 1963
- Last Air Year: 2026
- Created by: Frank Hursley, Doris Hursley
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Soap
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 63
- Number of Episodes: 10,694
- Status: Returning Series
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 1, 1963 (United States - TV-14), April 1, 1963 (Canada - 14+), April 1, 1963 (Germany - 12)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Alliances & Trahisons (FR)
- Production Companies: Walt Disney Television, Selmur Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
General Hospital - Plot
Families, friends, enemies and lovers experience life-changing events in the large upstate New York city of Port Charles, which has a busy hospital, upscale hotel, cozy diner and dangerous waterfront frequented by the criminal underworld.
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General Hospital - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Frank Hursley
- Doris Hursley
Main Cast
- Tyler Christopher
- Robin Christopher
- Jonathan Jackson
- Greg Vaughan
- Maurice Benard
- Nancy Lee Grahn
- Rebecca Herbst
- Laura Wright
- Evan Hofer
- Tamara Braun
Writers
- Chris Van Etten
- Dan O'Connor
- Shelly Altman
- Anna Cascio
- Katherine Schock
Executive Producers
- Frank Valentini
General Hospital - FAQs
How long has General Hospital been on the air?
General Hospital premiered on April 1, 1963, making it one of the longest-running scripted television series in American history. With over six decades on ABC and more than 10,000 episodes across 63 seasons, it holds a Guinness World Record for longest-running American soap opera.
Where can you stream General Hospital?
General Hospital is available to stream on Hulu and YouTube TV. Episodes can also be purchased on Amazon Video and Google Play Movies for those who prefer to own individual installments.
Who are the most iconic characters in General Hospital?
Few characters in daytime TV rival the staying power of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), and Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst). Lucky Spencer (Jonathan Jackson) and Alexis Davis (Nancy Lee Grahn) are equally beloved fixtures of Port Charles lore.
Has General Hospital won any major awards?
General Hospital has won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series a record number of times — more than any other daytime soap. It has also earned countless acting nominations and wins, cementing its reputation as the gold standard of American daytime television.
Who created General Hospital?
The series was created by the husband-and-wife writing team of Frank Hursley and Doris Hursley. Their vision of a drama centered on a bustling hospital in a fictional New York city launched what would become one of the most enduring franchises in television history.
Is General Hospital still on TV in 2024?
General Hospital is very much still on the air. Currently in its 63rd season on ABC, the series holds a Returning Series status and remains in active production, continuing to air new episodes on weekday afternoons as it has done since 1963.
What is General Hospital about?
Set in the fictional upstate New York city of Port Charles, the show weaves together the lives of families, rivals, and lovers connected by a busy hospital, a luxury hotel, a cozy diner, and a waterfront shadowed by organized crime. Romance, betrayal, and high drama are always on the agenda.
What are shows similar to General Hospital?
Fans of General Hospital often enjoy other long-running medical and relationship dramas such as Holby City, Casualty, Shortland Street, and Doctors. For similar soapy storytelling, Dynasty and Empire offer glamorous ensemble casts with plenty of intrigue and emotional stakes.
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