ABC Announces Midseason Premiere Dates for Scrubs, The Rookie, Will Trent, and More

ABC has announced its 2026 midseason premiere dates for shows like American Idol, Scrubs, The Rookie, Will Trent, and more. 

America’s Funniest Home Videos Season 34’s return kicks off the week on Sunday, January 4. Will Trent star and executive producer Ramón Rodríguez directs the Season 4 premiere on Tuesday, January 6. It will be followed by High Potential Season 2’s midseason return and The Rookie‘s Season 8 premiere. 

The network’s Wednesday night comedy block will continue when Shifting Gears Season 2 and Abbott Elementary Season 5 return. 

9-1-1 Season 9, 9-1-1: Nashville Season 2, and Grey’s Anatomy Season 22 will all return on Thursday, January 8. 

American Idol returns for its ninth season on ABC and 24th season overall on Monday, January 26. Luke Bryan, Lionel Richie, and Carrie Underwood return as judges, while Ryan Seacrest returns as the host. The new season will bring American Idol’s Hollywood Week to Nashville with “Hollywood Week: Music City Takeover.”

Scrubs will make its highly anticipated return when its revival premieres with back-to-back episodes on Wednesday, February 25, on ABC. It stars Zach Braff as John “J.D.” Dorian, Donald Faison as Christopher Turk, and Sarah Chalke as Elliot Reid.

“JD and Turk scrub in together for the first time in a long time: Medicine has changed; interns have changed; but their bromance has stood the test of time. Characters new and old navigate the waters of Sacred Heart with laughter, heart, and some surprises along the way,” per its description. 

Meanwhile, The Bachelorette Season 22, starring The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives‘ Taylor Frankie Paul and hosted by Jesse Palmer, will premiere on Sunday, March 22. 

“Across ABC and its streaming home on Hulu, we have the best shows on television, from acclaimed dramas to standout comedies and unscripted hits,” Craig Erwich, president, Disney Television Group, said in a statement.

“Our midseason schedule underscores our ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional storytelling and engaging content to audiences wherever they choose to watch,” Erwich continued.

RJ Decker (working title), the new drama series starring Scott Speedman, will debut in 2026. 

ABC 2026 PRIMETIME SCHEDULE 

SUNDAY, JANUARY 4

7:00 AMERICA’S FUNNIEST HOME VIDEOS (Season 36 return)

TUESDAY, JANUARY 6

8:00 WILL TRENT (Season 4 premiere)

9:00 HIGH POTENTIAL (Season 2 midseason return)

10:00 THE ROOKIE (Season 8 premiere)

WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7

8:00 SHIFTING GEARS (Season 2 midseason return)

8:30 ABBOTT ELEMENTARY (Season 5 midseason return)

10:00 SHARK TANK (Season 17 midseason return)

THURSDAY, JANUARY 8

8:00 9-1-1 (Season 9 midseason return)

9:00 9-1-1: NASHVILLE (Season 1 midseason return)

10:00 GREY’S ANATOMY (Season 22 midseason return)

FRIDAY, JANUARY 9

8:00 CELEBRITY WHEEL OF FORTUNE (Season 6 midseason return)

9:00 20/20 (Season 48 midseason return)

SATURDAY, JANUARY 24

8:00 INSIDE THE NBA

8:30 LOS ANGELES LAKERS VS. DALLAS MAVERICKS

MONDAY, JANUARY 26

8:00 AMERICAN IDOL (Season 24 premiere)

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25

8:00 SCRUBS (series premiere)

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27

8:00 CELEBRITY JEAPRODY! ALL STARS (Season 4 premiere)

SUNDAY, MARCH 22

8:00 THE BACHELORETTE (Season 22 premiere)

—

What new and returning shows are you most excited about? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Follow us on X and on Instagram!

Want more from Tell-Tale TV? Subscribe to our newsletter here!