With sudden word that Tristan Rogers would soon be departing ABC’s “General Hospital,” one could only imagine what may have been the catalyst behind the actor’s decision. Looks like a move [back] to “The Young and the Restless” may have persuaded the actor to say goodbye once more to Port Charles’ Robert Scorpio and hello again to Genoa City’s Colin Atkinson, Cane Ashby’s (Daniel Goddard) father. A spokesperson for the CBS drama series confirms to Soap Opera Network that the actor is returning to the soap in early 2014.

The return of Tristan Rogers (Robert Scorpio) to “General Hospital” is short lived, it seems. According to head writer Ron Carlivati, the actor will be leaving the canvas in February. “I had no idea @tristanrogers was leaving. I found out last night. I now have 1 day to write him out of a big Feb Sweeps storyline,” Carlivati tweeted earlier today. He added, “Meanwhile, you will see a lot of Robert between now and February! And please respect @tristanrogers and his decision. Thanks.”

Prospect Park amends lawsuit against ABC, claiming the network schemed to create a “mega soap” by integrating characters into the “General Hospital” landscape.

On Friday, November 8, Soap Opera Network reported that SOAPnet, now the old way to watch soaps, would cease operation on December 31, 2013 at 11:59:59 ET. In a piece by the Los Angeles Times, Ben Pyne, president of global distribution for Disney Media Networks, said, “SOAPnet had a great run.” He added, “It served an audience of super-soap fans. And when given the opportunity, all of our affiliates kept the channel up and running.” The affiliates Pyne refers are the cable and satellite operators including DirecTV and Cablevision, et al that have kept the cable network on their channel listings whether a new deal with Disney and the carriers was signed or not.

Earlier today a fan tweeted, “@JohnStamos @carlivatiron @valentinifrank #BringBlackieBack #GH,” which attracted the attention of the intended parties, but the responses themselves were the least expected of all.

Stamos, who portrayed Blackie Parrish on ABC’s “General Hospital” in the 1980’s replied to the tweet and said, “Sociopathic! You don’t remember [the] phone call in @valentinifrank office?” As confusing as the tweet appeared, it became less confusing when “GH” head writer Ron Carlivati responded to Stamos’ tweet with, “Yes, I remember it well. But for some reason you seem determined to rewrite the narrative.”

The ABC Cable Networks Group, a division of Disney/ABC Television Group, has informed cable and satellite operators across the United States that they will cease operating SOAPnet, the cable network devoted to airing same day episodes of “Days of our Lives” and “General Hospital” at night along with off-network airing rights to such shows as “Veronica Mars,” “Beverly Hills,90210,” “Gilmore Girls,” “One Tree Hill” and more. The network, which launched January 20, 2000, is expected to go dark effective on December 31, 2013 at 11:59:59 PM EST. Despite SOAPnet’s reported replacement, Disney Junior, already operating since 2012 on several providers across the country, the kids friendly network will officially replace the women’s network at 12:00:00 AM EST on January 1, 2014.

Ratings Report for the Week of October 28 – November 1, 2013

The alphabet network is very proud of its sole remaining daytime drama series, “General Hospital,” which has increased its total audience and is surging in the key sales demos. The network is also proud of daytime talkers “The View” and “The Chew,” which are both achieving increased audiences in demos. “Chew” is also reaching a new zenith in total audience as the talk show attracted its largest total viewer count and women 25-54 demo count in its history.

Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” hits theaters nationwide on Friday, November 8, and the franchise’s ABC drama, “Marvel’s Agents of S.H.E.I.L.D.,” is set to feel the film’s repercussions in an all new episode, “The Well,” slated for Tuesday, November 19!

The ABC Television Network and Gray Television, Inc. announced today that they have reached a new affiliation agreement that allows Gray Television to broadcast ABC’s full programming schedule in Laredo, Texas beginning in February 2014 using KGNS digital channel 8.2. Programming includes ABC’s primetime lineup, “Good Morning America,” “World News,” “Jimmy Kimmel” and ABC’s Daytime programming including “General Hospital.”

Ratings Report for the Week of October 21-25, 2013

Daytime’s number one rated show, “The Young and the Restless,” can’t be stopped! Not only has the sudser maintained the top spot in soap opera ratings for a consecutive 1,294 weeks, the latest Nielsen ratings reveal that the show notched nearly five million viewers for the week ending Sunday, October 27 — its largest audience in nearly two years! Click beyond the jump for the breakdown!

Get ready to scream in fright (or perhaps delight), because Soap Opera Network managed to get our hands on some deliciously devilish Halloween pictures from a few of your favorite “Days of Our Lives” and “The Young and the Restless” stars! From a pretty princess to a sinister slicer, these actors really know how to dress the part! But do you dare read on to find out witch was witch? If so, be warned: It’s hair-raising, spirit-satisfying fun!

As previously reported, Ilene Kristen is returning to daytime television courtesy of ABC’s “General Hospital” – the actress debuts today. While ABC wouldn’t necessarily confirm which character Kristen would be playing – Delia Reid from “Ryan’s Hope” or even Roxy Balsom on “One Life to Live” – when pressed for comment by Soap Opera Network on Friday, “GH” head writer, Ron Carlivati, spilled the beans over the weekend via Twitter.

On Wednesday, October 23, Jacklyn Zeman tweeted, “@carlivatiron @valentinifrank Congrats on all you are doing, especially the past week. #GH rocks. I’m excited to be coming back. Good times!” With her simple tweet, fans across social media rejoiced as they learned that the actress would once again be reprising her role of Barbara Jean Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital.”

If you happened to be tuning into today’s episode of ABC’s “General Hospital,” and stayed long enough for the end credits, you may have noticed a familiar face interacting with Sam McCall (Kelly Monaco) and Silas Clay (Michael Easton). “One Life to Live” and “Ryan’s Hope” fan favorite Ilene Kristen was seen serving coffee to the pair in what appears to be Kelly’s diner in the previews for the next episode of the drama series – airing Monday, October 28.

Last night on Twitter, Michael Saucedo thanked his fans for all their well wishes on word that he’s set to reprise his role of Juan Santiago on ABC’s “General Hospital” (see full message below). When we first reported the news a few days ago, we stated that Juan would show up on screen in the coming months. Per Saucedo, fans can expect to see the character return “sooner than later.” According to sources, Juan may be arriving back in town just in time for November sweeps. What can viewers expect when Juan sees his adopted cousin Sabrina (Teresa Castillo) onscreen for the first time? One things for sure, you’ll just have to tune in to find out!

Ratings Report for the Week of October 14-18, 2013

Soap Opera Network has learned that Michael Saucedo is set to return to ABC’s “General Hospital” in the coming months to reprise his role of Juan Santiago, the biological son of Lily Corinthos (Lilly Melgar) and Miguel Morez (Ricky Martin). While storyline details are being kept under wraps, fans can expect his return to provide lots of twists and turns that will send shockwaves all across Port Charles. Saucedo was last seen on “GH” in 2001, when his character left town to pursue a music career in South America. In 2012, it was revealed that Juan was the adopted cousin of Sabrina Santiago (Teresa Castillo).

On Wednesday, October 23, “General Hospital’s” Jason Thompson (Patrick Drake) will be giving ABC’s “The View” a male perspective on the day’s hot topics as the daytime star is scheduled to co-host the chatfest alongside Sherri Shepherd, Jenny McCarthy and Whoopi Goldberg. The Canadian born actor will also be chatting it up with the stars of ABC’s “The Middle” as the cast celebrates the show’s 100th episode airing that night.