ABC previously announced premiere dates for The rookie and its repercussions, The Recruit: North. Both shows are scheduled for Wednesday, January 6 – a stint of The rookieTuesday is the home of the final seasons.
The network has now released its full midseason lineup, and the move for The rookie is not temporary: it and The Recruit: North will form a two-hour block on Wednesday evenings, giving the veteran show an hour earlier (9 p.m. instead of 10 p.m.) and the new spin-off a well-established – and likely very compatible – introduction as support.
The third season of Change gear will join the two Beginner shows on Wednesday. The comedy starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings will premiere with two episodes on January 6; Abbott Elementary School will join the lineup the following week.
Will Trent And High potential are expected to return to their regular Tuesday spots on January 5. An unscripted show produced by ABC News Studios called Surviving a Scandal will fill the 10 p.m. time. High potential will also receive the post-Super Bowl showcase on February 14.
At the far end of ABC’s midseason slate is the return of The Bachelor franchise to the network on March 21. With behind-the-scenes upheaval and the abandonment of last season Bachelor season with Taylor Frankie Paul, the Bachelor-verse has been absent from ABC since the November 2025 finale of The golden baccalaureatethe second season. The Bachelor last aired in March 2025.
American idol is set to begin its 25th season (and 10th on ABC) on February 8. The channel also organized a special retrospective on the show for February 1.
Another note: ABC pushed the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off ordered in the spring for the 2027-28 season. This isn’t a surprise, considering the show’s casting hasn’t been released yet.
ABC’s midseason dates, including the Grammys and Oscars, are listed below. All times are ET/PT unless otherwise noted.
Tuesday January 5
8 p.m.: Will Trent
9:00 p.m.: High potential
10:00 p.m.: Surviving a Scandal
Wednesday February 6
8 p.m.: Change gear
9:00 p.m.: The rookie
10:00 p.m.: The Recruit: North
Friday January 29
8 p.m.: Fame peril!
Monday February 1
8 p.m.: American Idol at 25 (working title)
Sunday February 7
7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT: Grammy Awards
Monday February 8
8 p.m.: American idol
10:00 p.m.: Shark tank (new night)
Sunday February 14
6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT: Super Bowl LXI
Sunday March 14
7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT: The Oscars
Sunday March 21
8 p.m.: The Bachelor
10:00 p.m.: What would you do?
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