As the holidays approach, many broadcast staples are headed for hiatus — and some, including “9-1-1,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “High Potential,” have already begun their tryptophan-induced comas. A handful of network favorites, such as “The Rookie” and “Will Trent,” skipped fall runs entirely, leaving fans eagerly awaiting their midseason returns.
Now that ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC have all unveiled their winter schedules, TVLine compiled a comprehensive calendar — in list form, alphabetized by show — of every confirmed scripted and unscripted series returning in the first quarter of 2026. Where applicable, we’ve included dates for each show’s final episodes of 2025, along with their first new episodes of the new year. You’ll also find premiere dates and intel for a plethora of new (or “new”) offerings, including the “Doc Martin” adaptation “Best Medicine,” the “Scrubs” revival, and the “Yellowstone” offshoot “Y: Marshals.”
All told, the list encompasses 74 shows, and we’ll continue updating it as more titles and dates are announced (or tweaked). In the meantime, if you have questions — or spot something we may have missed — drop a (polite) comment below and we’ll do our best to help.
As we sail into 2026, many of your favorite broadcast shows are gearing up for a highly anticipated return. Whether you’re into gripping dramas, laugh-out-loud comedies, or thrilling unscripted events, ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC have mapped out their midseason comeback plans. Let’s break it all down so you never miss a beat—and you can plan your TV nights accordingly.
2026 Broadcast Return Guide: ABC, CBS, Fox & NBC
Why These Return Dates Matter
Understanding the midseason schedule is like having a backstage pass: you know when your shows are back, when hiatuses end, and when to mark your calendar. Networks stagger their premieres for many reasons—production timelines, sweeps weeks, or counterprogramming live events like the Super Bowl or the Winter Olympics. Knowing the schedule helps you ditch reruns, avoid FOMO, and binge smarter.
ABC’s 2026 Return Schedule
ABC’s Winter Lineup Returns
ABC is kicking off its 2026 midseason with some big names. As confirmed, here are among their key return dates:
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January 4, 2026 – America’s Funniest Home Videos returns for its Season 36.
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January 6, 2026 – Will Trent (Season 4) premieres.
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January 6, 2026 – High Potential (Season 2) returns in a midseason slot.
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January 6, 2026 – The Rookie comes back with its Season 8.
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January 7, 2026 – Shifting Gears (Season 2) returns.
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January 7, 2026 – Abbott Elementary returns for Season 5.
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January 8, 2026 – 9-1-1 returns with Season 9.
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January 8, 2026 – 9-1-1: Nashville also returns.
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January 8, 2026 – Grey’s Anatomy comes back for Season 22.
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January 9, 2026 – Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Season 6) returns.
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January 9, 2026 – 20/20 comes back for its 48th season.
NBC’s 2026 Midseason Return
NBC’s 2026 roster includes a mix of drama, unscripted fun, and event programming.
Key NBC Dates to Watch
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January 5, 2026
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St. Denis Medical returns for Season 2.
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The Paper airs a new episode.
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The Wall premieres in its new season.
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Brilliant Minds also returns.
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January 8, 2026
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Law & Order returns.
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Law & Order: SVU is back.
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The Hunting Party kicks off its Season 2.
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February 23, 2026
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The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins premieres.
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The Voice returns in a historic season dubbed “Battle of Champions” with a coaches lineup made of past winners.
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CBS’s 2026 Comeback Dates
CBS is serving up a big midseason slate in early 2026, full of crime drama, reality events, and long-running staples.
What’s on CBS This Midseason
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January 7, 2026
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Hollywood Squares returns.
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The Price Is Right at Night airs.
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Harlan Coben’s Final Twist premieres.
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February 23, 2026
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The Neighborhood returns for Season 8.
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DMV (Season 1) returns.
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FBI (Season 8) comes back.
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CIA premieres as a brand-new series.
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February 24, 2026
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NCIS returns for Season 23.
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NCIS: Origins (Season 2) returns.
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NCIS: Sydney returns for Season 3.
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February 25, 2026
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Survivor 50 launches with a three-hour premiere.
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February 26, 2026
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Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (Season 2) returns.
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Ghosts (Season 5) returns.
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Matlock (Season 2) returns.
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Elsbeth returns for Season 3.
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February 27, 2026
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Sheriff Country returns.
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Fire Country (Season 4) returns.
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Boston Blue returns.
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March 1, 2026
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Y: Marshals premieres.
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Tracker (Season 3) returns, now with a new time slot.
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Watson (Season 2) makes its return in a new night/time slot.
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March 4, 2026
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Survivor returns to its usual time.
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America’s Culinary Cup premieres.
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Hollywood Squares airs again.
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Fox’s 2026 Return Dates
Fox is rolling out a bold midseason slate full of drama, competition, and returning favorites.
Fox Premieres & Returns to Watch
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January 1, 2026
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Hell’s Kitchen airs a new episode to kick things off.
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January 6, 2026
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Best Medicine premieres.
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Doc returns for a winter premiere.
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January 7, 2026
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The Masked Singer comes back with a special two-hour Season 14 premiere (double unmasking!).
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January 14, 2026
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The Masked Singer moves into its regular time slot.
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Fear Factor: House of Fear premieres, hosted by Johnny Knoxville.
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January 15, 2026
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Hell’s Kitchen continues with new episodes.
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Animal Control returns for Season 4.
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Going Dutch premieres (or returns) with Season 2.
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January 22, 2026
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Hell’s Kitchen airs its Season 24 finale.
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January 26, 2026
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Extracted returns for Season 2.
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Memory of a Killer premieres, a dramatic thriller with Patrick Dempsey.
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January 29, 2026
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Next Level Chef premieres Season 5.
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February 15, 2026
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The Simpsons hits a milestone: its 800th episode.
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Family Guy returns with its Season 24 premiere — that’s its 450th episode.
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February 22, 2026
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American Dad! returns for Season 20.
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March 22 & March 29 & April 5, 2026
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The Faithful, a three-part event series, airs consecutive Sundays.
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Key Trends & Highlights in the 2026 Return Slate
Major Revivals and Reboots
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Fear Factor: House of Fear is making a big comeback on Fox in January 2026.
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Memory of a Killer debuts on Fox—this one’s a brand new dramatic thriller.
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NBC brings back The Voice in a very special format called “Battle of Champions,” with all coaches being past winners.
Returning Powerhouses
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Long-running staples like Hell’s Kitchen, The Masked Singer, and The Simpsons anchor Fox’s midseason.
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On ABC, iconic shows like Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1 pick up again in early January.
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CBS brings its procedural strengths back: NCIS, FBI, and Matlock all return.
Network Strategies
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Staggered Premieres: Each network spaces out its premieres over weeks to avoid competing head-to-head and to maintain steady viewership.
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Event Programming: CBS is leveraging Survivor 50 as a big midseason event.
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Streaming Integration: Many networks (especially ABC and Fox) are spotlighting that new episodes will stream next-day on platforms like Hulu.
Tips for Keeping Up With Your Favorite Shows
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Use a Calendar App: Block out premiere dates in your phone or digital calendar so you don’t miss the winter premieres.
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Set DVR or Streaming Alerts: If you use a DVR or streaming service, set reminders or “series follow” to catch new episodes.
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Join Fan Communities: Reddit, Discord, or Facebook groups often have midseason threads—great for recaps, spoilers, or just hype.
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Binge Before the Return: Rewatch the first half of a season before the comeback to refresh your memory—and maybe catch things you missed.
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Balance Your Watchlist: With so many returnees, pick whether you want to keep up live or watch episodes on your schedule.
Conclusion
If you’ve been eagerly awaiting your favorite broadcast shows, 2026 is shaping up to be a banner year. From ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1 to Fox’s reboots like Fear Factor, and CBS’s procedural juggernauts like NCIS, there’s a lot to look forward to. NBC’s fresh spin on The Voice and the return of shows like St. Denis Medical add even more variety.
By keeping this return-date guide handy, you can map out your TV nights, avoid hiatus surprises, and make sure you’re right on time for the big comebacks. Set your reminders, get cozy on the couch—and enjoy the shows when they return.
