Soap Opera Schedule for New Year’s Week 2026: Pre-emptions, Encores & New Episodes for GH, Y&R, B&B, DAYS, and Beyond the Gates
DVR Alert! Here’s your soap opera schedule of all of your favorite daytime dramas. If you’re like us and don’t know what day it is and are full of charcuterie things, then you might be wondering if it’s time to set the DVR, curl up with some leftovers for a new episode, or break out the snacks for some sports coverage.
Not to worry, while you’re preparing to ring in the new year, The Soap Scene has your soap opera schedule ready, of which soaps are airing this week — and when.
The Young and the Restless
On Thursday, January 1, 2026, The Young and the Restless will be airing the classic episode #6460, when Jill interrupts Katherine Chancellor’s party with a
shocking announcement. (Original airdate September 10th, 1998.)
New Y&R episodes resume on Friday, January 2, 2026, when Victor and Nick plot against Matt Clark, Daniel makes a promise to Tessa, and Mariah is haunted by Ian Ward.
The Bold and the Beautiful
B&B will be airing an encore episode this week. On Thursday, January 1, 2026, episode #9578, originally aired on July 3rd, 2025 will be rebroadcast.
New episodes resume on Friday, January 2, 2026, when Dylan expresses appreciation to Electra and Will, and Brooke, Ridge, and Carter continue to undermine Katie’s new venture.
Beyond the Gates
Beyond the Gates will be pre-empted for one day only this week. On Wednesday, December 31st, CBS will be airing the college football Sun Bowl in its time slot.
New episodes of Beyond the Gates will resume on Thursday, January 1st, 2026, although it won’t be the best way to kick off the new year for the Dupree family. On Thursday’s episode, Nicole delivers some devastating news to Kat and Martin, which causes an argument between the siblings. Also, Dani demands Bill’s attention while giving Hayley an earful. And Naomi and Chelsea are blindsided when they visit their grandparents.
Friday, January 2nd, 2026, will also be another new BTG episode, when Dani supports Vernon as Bill offers some unsolicited advice to Anita. Meanwhile, Tomas comforts a secretive Kat while Martin shares all with Smitty, and Ted reaches out to his daughter and surprises her with his stance on the matter at hand.
General Hospital
General Hospital is airing two encore presentations this week. The first will be on Wednesday, December 31st, 2025, but only in the 2pm ET time slot. In episode 15618 (which originally aired Wednesday, December 31st, 2024), Lulu reunites with Charlotte in Prague, but the moment is interrupted by Valentin’s arrival. Meanwhile, back in Port Charles, revelations about the Cassadine estate, Emma’s troubled past, and unresolved tensions around Dex’s stabbing intersect with shifting personal stakes for Michael, Sasha, and Josslyn.
On Thursday, January 1st, 2026, GH is airing a special rebroadcast of episode 13356 (originally aired July 27, 2015) — Anthony Geary‘s final full episode as Luke Spencer, when Luke says goodbye to Port Charles.
New General Hospital episodes resume on Friday, January 2nd, 2026, when Sonny warns Michael, Kristina is taken aback, Alexis decides on a new strategy, Dante confers with Justine, and Laura gets Sidwell’s new marching orders.
Days of our Lives
As (almost) always, Days of our Lives is streaming and will continue airing new episodes all week — including on Friday, when it’s still New Year’s Eve in Salem, and it’s Leo and Javi’s wedding day.
If you’re enjoying your time off and missed out on something, not to worry. The Soap Scene has you covered — catch up with all the news, recaps, and spoilers for all the soaps, every day.