ABC is gearing up for an exciting 2025-26 television season, highlighting the return of several popular series and the debut of new ones, including the second season of “The Golden Bachelor” and the highly anticipated spinoff “9-1-1: Nashville.”
“The Golden Bachelor,” featuring NFL alum Mel Owens, will grace Wednesday nights at 9 p.m., slotting nicely after episodes of “Shifting Gears” and “Abbott Elementary.” This strategic programming shift will also see “Shark Tank” move from its previous Friday timeslot to Wednesday at 10 p.m. Craig Erwich, president of the Disney Television Group, emphasized the goal to establish “Shark Tank” as a “signature show” in this new timeslot, which has seen considerable fluctuation in recent years.
Erwich noted that “Shark Tank” is beloved by audiences and will offer a solid lead-in for local news at 11 p.m. Additionally, Fridays will welcome “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” marking the evening debut of Ryan Seacrest, coupled with a two-hour episode of “20/20.”
On Thursdays, “9-1-1: Nashville” will debut at 9 p.m., anchored by the original series “9-1-1” at 8 p.m. This spinoff aims to attract viewers with its fresh narrative, following “Doctor Odyssey,” which is currently pending its Season 1 finale.
Fans of “High Potential” can also look forward to its second season, airing on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. following “Dancing With the Stars.” ABC’s commitment to its successful series is illustrated with the return of “American Idol,” “Celebrity Jeopardy!,” “The Rookie,” and “Will Trent.” The latter has shown notable growth, maintaining a steady increase in viewership, a remarkable feat for a broadcast series.
Erwich mentioned the network’s focus on launching fewer shows but ensuring they are engaging and worthwhile for viewers. This thoughtful approach not only allows more attention to individual series but also enhances the potential for growth, paralleling strategies used successfully with “Will Trent.”
ABC is also exploring new opportunities with a newly ordered pilot for “RJ Decker,” which follows a disgraced newspaper photographer turned private investigator. If approved, it could potentially debut midseason.
This upcoming season promises to be dynamic, engaging viewers with beloved returning shows and innovative new offerings, showcasing ABC’s commitment to quality and creativity in programming.