General Hospital is an American daytime television soap opera. It is listed in
Guinness World Records as the longest-running American soap opera in production, and the second in American history after
Guiding Light. Concurrently, it is the world's third longest-running scripted drama series in production after British serials
The Archers and
Coronation Street, as well as the world's second-longest-running televised soap opera still in production.
General Hospital premiered on the ABC television network on April 1, 1963.
General Hospital is the longest-running serial produced in Hollywood, and the longest-running entertainment program in ABC television history. It holds the record for most Daytime Emmy Awards for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series, with 14 wins.