Are soap operas airing new episodes on Thanksgiving? Here’s everything you need to know

Soap operas have been a staple of daytime television for decades, drawing people in with their complex stories and interesting characters. Shows like The Young and the Restless, The Bold and the Beautiful, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives continue to dominate the genre, keeping fans eager for the next episode.

As the holiday season approaches, these long-running shows often face schedule changes due to special programming or network priorities. Thanksgiving and Black Friday are no different, leaving many fans wondering if they’ll get new episodes or reruns of their favorite soaps. The anticipation surrounding upcoming plot twists and cliffhangers heightens the curiosity.

This year, CBS and ABC soap operas will take a short break on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, but Days of Our Lives will air new episodes on both days. This NBC soap, only available on Peacock, will continue with new episodes while other soaps take a pause for sports broadcasts.

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Thanksgiving and Black Friday airing schedule of soap operas

The Young and the Restless

Thanksgiving Day: CBS will not air a new episode of The Young and the Restless on Thursday, November 28, 2024. Instead of it, the network will broadcast the NFL game between the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears.

Black Friday: On Friday, November 29, 2024, the show will still be off, making room for the college football game between the Minnesota Golden Gophers and the Wisconsin Badgers. Fans of the show can look forward to the return of regular programming on Monday, December 2.

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The Bold and the Beautiful

Thanksgiving Day: Similar to The Young and the Restless, this CBS soap will also not air on Thanksgiving because of National Football League games, leaving the fans of the Forrester family drama in Los Angeles waiting.

Black Friday: On Black Friday, The Bold and the Beautiful will still be off the air due to college football. The break sets the stage for the show to dive back into its heated rivalries of Forresters and Logans and romantic entanglements next week.

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General Hospital

Thanksgiving Day: ABC’s General Hospital will not air a new episode but will treat fans to a rerun of the July 19, 2024, episode. This episode features Laura and Dante’s emotional visit to Lulu in the hospital, which began hinting at the character’s return.

Black Friday: On November 29, 2024, General Hospital will be replaced by a college football game between the Oklahoma State Cowboys and the Colorado Buffaloes. Fans will have to wait until the following week to catch up on Port Charles’ unfolding dramas.

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Days of Our Lives

Thanksgiving Day: Unlike CBS and ABC soap operas, Days of Our Lives will air a brand-new episode on Thanksgiving. Streaming on Peacock, the episode will feature Julie’s heartbreaking discovery that her husband, Doug, has passed away, promising an emotional and dramatic storyline.

Black Friday: The drama continues on Black Friday as Salem reels from the news of Doug’s death. Marlena also shares life-changing updates about John, ensuring fans stay hooked during the holiday season.

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Since most soap operas take a break for Thanksgiving and Black Friday, Days of Our Lives is a must-watch. Whether the viewers are streaming on Peacock or catching up after the festivities, the drama ensures that holiday week remains anything but ordinary.

Fans’ favorite soap operas are set to return on air next week on their respective platforms.