ABC has unveiled a familiar lineup for the upcoming 2025-26 television season, with only a few notable changes from the previous year. The network welcomes the new 911 spinoff, 911: Nashville, to its Thursday nights, while Shark Tank shifts from its longtime Friday slot to Wednesday evenings. Overall, ABC’s schedule maintains stability, indicative of the network’s recent successes.
Craig Erwich, president of the Disney Television Group, explained that this approach reflects both a strategic decision and a response to the positive reception of their current programming. ABC holds all five of the top entertainment series among adults aged 18-49 according to Nielsen’s cross-platform ratings, including hits like High Potential, Abbott Elementary, The Rookie, 911, and Shifting Gears. “We have been successfully launching shows and returning shows to the schedule, so we don’t need to make a lot of moves,” Erwich noted.
Notably, ABC will again simulcast ESPN’s Monday Night Football in the fall, while the two-hour block on Tuesdays continues to feature Dancing With the Stars alongside the much-anticipated second season of High Potential. On Wednesday nights, comedies Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary will set the stage for the second season of The Golden Bachelor and the rebranded Shark Tank.
Expect to see the same Thursday night lead-in strategy with two Ryan Murphy-produced series, starting with 911 followed by 911: Nashville, which will replace Doctor Odyssey in the 9 o’clock hour. Grey’s Anatomy keeps its prime 10 p.m. slot.
Midseason will introduce additional dramas such as Will Trent and The Rookie, as well as favorite unscripted shows like American Idol and Celebrity Jeopardy! Meanwhile, The Bachelor, which faced recent internal challenges, has not yet been placed on the schedule.
The predictable nature of ABC’s programming is a clear reflection of the network’s confidence in its successful shows, allowing it to focus on engaging its audience effectively.
For additional context, this stability in scheduling mirrors the network’s past strategies where successful shows have allowed less reshuffling, ultimately providing viewers with a reliable and enticing viewing experience.