how long has general hospital been on the air

General Hospital has been on the air since April 1, 1963, so as of July 2026 it’s been running for 63 years. It’s widely described as the longest- running American soap opera currently in production.

Quick facts

• Premiere date: April 1, 1963.

• Anniversary milestone: it celebrated 62 years in 2025.

• Current status: it still airs weekdays on ABC.

Extra context

The show has aired more than 15,000 episodes and remains one of the most durable scripted dramas on television.