General Hospital cuts down to four new episodes a week amid coronavirus pandemic
General Hospital has become the latest TV soap to cut down on the number of episodes it's airing each week in order to keep new episodes on screens for as long as possible during the coronavirus pandemic.
The long-running US daytime soap, which is celebrating its 57th anniversary this year, usually airs every weekday. However, it will now be cutting down to four episodes a week as of this week, ABC has announced (via The Wrap).
Each Friday, the network will instead host 'Flashback Fridays' which will see a popular classic episode aired in place of a new one. These flashback episodes will feature an introduction from a General Hospital actor.
'Flashback Fridays' will kick off with the show's 56th anniversary episode, which first aired in April 2019, and the episode will be introduced by star Laura Wright, who plays Carly Corinthos.
The soap currently has enough episodes recorded to broadcast new episodes into May and the flashback series is currently scheduled for every Friday up until May 22.
Film and television production has ground to a halt since the widespread outbreak of COVID-19, with large gatherings banned and people advised to only work outside their home if it is absolutely necessary.
UK soaps Coronation Street, EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks have all had to pause filming and cut down the number of new episodes they air each week to keep the shows on our screens for as long as possible.
Hollyoaks is also airing classic episodes from its archives every week to keep fans entertained in place of new episodes, with big episodes involving hostage situations, weddings and murders all on the line-up.
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