The news that ABC has cleared the upcoming Katie Couric syndicated talk show in 60% of the country is fueling rumors that the network will pull the plug on long-running daytime soap opera “General Hospital,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“General Hospital,” which runs Monday-Friday on ABC at 3 p.m. ET, has been a daytime staple since 1963. But Couric’s show, “Katie,” is a contender for the same time slot.

When ABC recently canceled two other soaps, "All My Children" and "One LIfe to Live," rumors began to circulate that "GH" would be the next to be axed.

ABC is expected to hold off on deciding the fate of “GH” until spring, the story notes.