ABC Announces 2026 Midseason Premiere Dates

Following a phenomenal fall season of unprecedented success across the schedule, today ABC announced its 2026 midseason premiere dates featuring a slate of hilarious comedies, thrilling dramas, and high-stakes unscripted series.

“Across ABC and its streaming home on Hulu, we have the best shows on television, from acclaimed dramas to standout comedies and unscripted hits,” said Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group. “Our midseason schedule underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional storytelling and engaging content to audiences wherever they choose to watch.”

“America’s Funniest Home Videos” kicks off the week on Sunday, January 4.

Star and executive producer Ramón Rodríguez directs the Season 4 premiere of “Will Trent” Tuesday, January 6, followed by the midseason return of “High Potential” which continues to be a powerhouse, ranking as the No. 1 original broadcast series across platforms for the second season in a row, and the Season 8 premiere of “The Rookie.” Both “Will Trent” and “The Rookie” enjoyed tremendous ratings success last season, surging year over year and posting several new streaming highs.

Wednesday night comedies “Shifting Gears” and Emmy® Award-winning “Abbott Elementary” return for a night of laughs Wednesday, January 7, followed by the return of “Shark Tank.”

The following day, ratings juggernaut dramas “9-1-1,” “9-1-1: Nashville” and “Grey’s Anatomy” return to the Thursday night lineup on January 8.

Rounding out the week, “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” and Friday’s most-watched newsmagazine, ABC News’ “20/20,” return to the schedule Friday, January 9.

“NBA Saturday Primetime on ABC” returns for select Saturdays beginning January 24 (Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks).

“American Idol” premieres its ninth season on ABC and 24th season overall with a new schedule, airing Mondays beginning January 26. Music superstars Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood return as judges alongside Emmy Award®-winning host Ryan Seacrest. For the first time ever, “American Idol” will bring the iconic Hollywood Week round to Nashville. Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover will feature one round only as the hopefuls from all musical genres take the stage for a make-or-break performance, facing the biggest Hollywood Week cut in “Idol” history.

Premiering Wednesday, February 25, ABC is scrubbing back in for Sacred Heart Hospital with back-to-back episodes of comedy “Scrubs” starring Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke.

Ken Jennings-hosted “Celebrity Jeopardy!” returns for Season 4 with a brand-new All-Stars Tournament Friday, February 27, while the drama-filled season premiere of “The Bachelorette” starring “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives” star Taylor Frankie Paul and hosted by Jesse Palmer kicks off on its new night, Sunday, March 22.

As previously announced, the new drama series “RJ Decker” (working title) starring Scott Speedman will debut in 2026. The premiere date will be announced at a later time. With this newest addition to the schedule, ABC ups its drama count to seven series, and 10 scripted series overall.

SCHEDULE:

Airdates are as follows (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific). All original programming will stream the next day on Hulu.
Sunday, January 4
7:00PM America’s Funniest Home Videos (Season 36 Return)

Tuesday, January 6
8:00PM Will Trent (Season 4 Premiere)
9:00PM High Potential (Season 2 Midseason Return)
10:00PM The Rookie (Season 8 Premiere)

Wednesday, January 7
8:00PM “Shifting Gears” (Season 2 Midseason Return)
8:30PM Abbott Elementary (Season 5 Midseason Return)
10:00PM Shark Tank (Season 17 Midseason Return)

Thursday, January 8
8:00PM 9-1-1 (Season 9 Midseason Return)
9:00PM 9-1-1: Nashville (Season 1 Midseason Return)
10:00PM Grey’s Anatomy (Season 22 Midseason Return)

Friday, January 9
8:00PM Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Season 6 Midseason Return)
9:00PM 20/20 (Season 48 Midseason Return)

Saturday, January 24
8:00PM Inside the NBA
8:30PM Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks

Monday, January 26
8:00PM American Idol (Season 24 Premiere)

Wednesday, February 25
8:00PM Scrubs (Two-Episode Series Premiere)

Friday, February 27
8:00PM Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars (Season 4 Premiere)

Sunday, March 22
8:00PM The Bachelorette (Season 22 Premiere)

About “Scrubs”

JD and Turk scrub in together for the first time in a long time: Medicine has changed; interns have changed; but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart, and some surprises along the way.

The 30-minute revival comedy series stars Zach Braff as John “J.D.” Dorian, Donald Faison as Christopher Turk, and Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid.

Bill Lawrence of Doozer Productions created the original series and serves as executive producer alongside Jeff Ingold and Liza Katzer also of Doozer Productions. Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and Sarah Chalke will star and executive produce. Aseem Batra serves as executive producer and showrunner; Tim Hobert and Randall Winston also executive produce. The series is produced by 20th Television, a part of Disney Television Studios.

Follow “Scrubs” (#Scrubs) on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.