Why General Hospital Won’t Air New Episodes This Week & What to Expect

ABC has confirmed that **General Hospital will not air new episodes** on Tuesday, September 30, and Wednesday, October 1, due to live coverage of MLB postseason wild card games. The preemption affects viewers in the U.S. during daytime hours. The disruption may extend depending on how the baseball series plays out.

This means “tonight” in the U.S. (i.e. later this evening) is unaffected by new episodes since the time slot already passed. The key interruption days are midday when ABC typically airs the soap. Here’s what’s happening.

General Hospital Preemption & Schedule Details

ABC announced that its daytime lineup will give way to live **National League Wild Card** coverage: San Diego Padres vs. Chicago Cubs in a best-of-three series. Games are scheduled for September 30 and October 1. If both teams split the first two games, a deciding third game will air on October 2.

If that third game is needed, it could extend the preemption to a third consecutive day. Should one team sweep in two games, **General Hospital** is expected to resume on Thursday, October 2. During the preempted days, ABC will not upload new episodes to its online platforms, including ABC.com and Hulu.

These changes disrupt a particularly dramatic stretch of the soap’s storyline. Britt and Elizabeth’s tensions escalate, Tracy faces a mysterious stranger in the Quartermaine crypt, and Nina delivers shocking revelations. Nathan’s return has jolted Port Charles, while Alexis, Ava, and Kristina remain deeply entangled in secret plots.

Impact, Reaction & What Comes Next

Preemptions like this are common during major sports events. But for soap fans who follow episodes in real time, sudden gaps can be frustrating. ABC prioritizes live sports due to high viewership and ad revenues, making such interruptions inevitable during playoff season.

In the short term, fan engagement may dip slightly. But historically, **General Hospital** retains a strong, loyal audience that returns after breaks. The show has endured for decades despite periodic scheduling disruptions.

To sum up: General Hospital will be temporarily off-air on September 30 and October 1 because of MLB postseason broadcast demands. If the wild card series goes to a third game, that may delay the soap’s return to October 2 or beyond. Viewers should prepare to resume following the show midweek once baseball concludes.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

Q1: Is tonight’s episode affected?

No. The U.S. evening slot has passed. The interruption targets daytime airing times.

Q2: Does General Hospital miss tomorrow too?

Yes, Wednesday’s episode (October 1) is also preempted for MLB coverage.

Q3: When does the show return?

If the baseball series ends in two, it returns Thursday. If a third game is needed, the delay may stretch further.

Q4: Will new episodes appear online during interruption?

No. ABC will not upload new episodes on ABC.com or Hulu during the preemption days.

Q5: Are such preemptions common?

Yes, daytime serials are often bumped for major live sports events like MLB playoffs.