What is going on with ABC’s “General Hospital”?
I told you earlier today that one veteran actor is taking time off to battle blood cancer, so that’s first.
But now it seems that the show’s ratings are also ailing. Two weeks ago, the number of total viewers dropped to 1.8 million, the lowest ever or in anyone’s recent memory.
On May 1st, the soap had 2.1 million viewers, and that was also the case a year ago.
What’s happening here? Since the middle to end of June the show has been using scripts supplied by scabs of writers who’ve elected to be fi-core (keep writing, forfeit union benefits like voting). The new writers may have changed storylines and characters’ prominence. These things can make fans unhappy.
Disney-ABC has also had fights with various carriers resulting in their shows not being broadcast everywhere. But a lot of that is recent, and doesn’t account totally for the drop off.
Of course all three remaining broadcast soaps have had big dips this summer. A fourth show, “Days of our Lives,” airs on NBC’s Peacock and doesn’t release numbers.
“General Hospital” is starting to try stunt casting to bring back viewers. They announced today that Rena Sofer, last seen on the show 26 years ago, is returning. They’ve also been bringing back characters from now defunct ABC soaps “All My Children” and “One Life to Live.”
Something had better goose the numbers soon, or there will likely be changes when the strikes are over.
