Full Breakdown
ABC Unveils Fall 2026 Primetime Schedule
7/28/2026, 4:02:37 AM
Core Event – Network Announces Premiere Dates
ABC released its full fall 2026 primetime lineup, beginning with college football on August 29 and Monday Night Football on September 14. “Dancing with the Stars” launches with a two-night premiere on September 15-16. The schedule also lists new episodes of scripted dramas, comedies, reality competitions and unscripted fare through mid-October.
Background & Context – Late Reveal Among the Big Four
ABC was the last of the four major broadcast networks to publish its fall slate, issuing dates after CBS’s announcement. The lineup mixes established franchises—“Grey’s Anatomy,” “9-1-1,” “Shark Tank”—with new seasons of “Scrubs,” “Abbott Elementary,” and a refreshed “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.”
Data & Statistics – Key Premiere Dates
| Date (2026) | Program(s) |
|---|---|
| August 29 | College football (Alabama A&M vs. Howard) |
| September 14 | Monday Night Football (Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs) |
| September 15 | “Dancing with the Stars” (two-episode premiere) – 8 p.m.; “R.J. Decker” – 10 p.m. |
| September 16 | “Dancing with the Stars” special – 8 p.m. |
| September 25 | “20/20” – 9 p.m. |
| September 27 | “America’s Funniest Home Videos” – 7 p.m.; “The Wonderful World of Disney” (Inside Out 2) – 9 p.m. |
| September 30 | “Scrubs” (two-episode premiere) – 8 p.m.; “Shark Tank” (two-episode premiere) – 9 p.m. |
| October 2 | “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune” (hosted by Ryan Seacrest & Vanna White) – 8 p.m.; “Shark Tank” – 10 p.m. |
| October 15 | “9-1-1” – 8 p.m.; “9-1-1: Nashville” – 9 p.m.; “Grey’s Anatomy” – 10 p.m. |
Several high-profile series—“The Bachelor,” “High Potential,” “The Rookie,” “Shifting Gears,” and “Will Trent”—are slated for a 2027 midseason launch, along with new spinoffs of “The Rookie” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”
Official Statements & Responses – Network Position
ABC noted that the “Dancing with the Stars” premiere will be simulcast on Disney+ and highlighted the inclusion of *Inside Out 2* within the Sunday family-night block.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps – Uncertain Timing for Two Flagship Shows
- Celebrity Jeopardy! – Sources differ on whether a new season will debut in midseason or be delayed to 2027.
- Grey’s Anatomy Spinoff – Reports conflict on a midseason debut versus a 2027 launch.
These discrepancies show final dates for the spinoff and “Celebrity Jeopardy!” remain unconfirmed.
What’s Next – Upcoming Announcements
ABC said precise premiere dates for the 2027 midseason shows—including the “Grey’s Anatomy” spinoff, “The Rookie: North,” and the delayed “Celebrity Jeopardy!” season—will be released later. The network will continue streaming original primetime programming the day after broadcast on Hulu and Disney+ for bundle subscribers.
