ABC & CBS’s Fall Premiere Dates Deliver Some Early Surprises and Proof That Patience Pays Off

If we’re being honest, Fall TV doesn’t feel like Fall TV anymore.

We’ve spoken at length about the frustrations that come with networks on broadcast delaying our favorite shows later and later into the Fall season, with many series not making their grand returns until well into October.

And that’s more of the same with ABC and CBS’s premiere dates, but it also suggests that patience pays off.

(Disney/John Merrick , Disney/Christopher Willard, CBS/Elizabeth Fisher, CBS/Darren Goldstein)

The downside to ABC is that the network is holding off most of its heaviest hitters until midseason.

For the network, there’s less scripted content to go around, so it bolsters its television schedule with a wide array of reality shows, game shows, and sports programming.

And it doesn’t really get into the full breadth of its season until sometime in January.

But there is good news. The network’s breakout hit, RJ Decker, continues to bring that level of sunshine that makes it such a breath of fresh air.

Because it is the only scripted series on ABC that will actually debut in September, remember when Fall TV meant September premieres? I do!

(Disney/Dana Hawley)

I, for one, will happily welcome seeing the scrumptious Scott Speedman donning his Hawaiian shirts on my screen just a little bit earlier.

And if I have to wait for the return of other great ABC series, then so be it.

ABC Fall 2026 Schedule

Saturday, August 29
7:30 pm ET: College Football: Alabama A&M vs. Howard

Monday, September 14
8 pm ET: Monday Night Football: Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Tuesday, September 15
8 pm ET: Dancing with the Stars (Season 35 premiere)
10 pm: RJ Decker (Season 2 premiere)

(Disney/John Merrick)

Wednesday, September 16
8 pm ET: Dancing with the Stars (special night)

Friday, September 25
9 pm ET: 20/20 (Season premiere)

Sunday, September 27
7 pm ET: America’s Funniest Home Videos (Season premiere)
9 pm ET: The Wonderful World of Disney (Inside Out 2)

Wednesday, September 30
8 pm ET: Scrubs (Season 2 premiere)
9 pm ET: Shark Tank (Season premiere)

Friday, October 2
8 pm ET: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Season premiere)

(Disney/Jake Giles Netter)

Wednesday, October 7
8:30 pm ET: Abbott Elementary (Season premiere)
10 pm ET: Shark Tank (Official time slot)

Thursday, October 15
8 pm ET: 9-1-1 (Season 10 premiere)
9 pm ET: 9-1-1: Nashville (Season 2 premiere)
10 pm ET: Grey’s Anatomy (Season 23 premiere)

CBS remains the one network that consistently gives us scripted dramas all-season long. Sure, we have to wait until October before we get them, but the patience on that front pays off.

And CBS has a stacked slate of series, including returning and new comedies and some returning dramas.

(Erik Voake/CBS)

It’s bittersweet on some fronts, as fantastic series like the NCIS spinoffs (Origins and Sydney) sadly have reduced episode orders, which means only one of them will premiere in the Fall, with the other (Sydney) replacing its time slot in the midseason.

But we will get the debut of a brand-new NCIS spinoff, the LL Cool J- and Scott Caan-led NCIS: New York.

The network having a full slate also means that popular shows like Ghosts and Matlock will be pushed to midseason as well.

But the Fire Country slate still holds strong on Fridays alone with Boston Blue. And we’ll also get spanking new content with the highly anticipated Cupertino and Eternally Yours.

Regardless of how some of us feel about missing out on more of our favorite series (I’m speaking of myself here), CBS still has an impressive slate.

(Courtesy of CBS)

It’s also one of the only networks that properly balances scripted dramas and comedies, sports, and reality.

CBS is the network that knows how to appeal to its broad demographic instead of just a select few.

CBS Fall 2026 Schedule

Sunday, September 13
7–7:30 pm ET: NFL doubleheader
7:30–8:30 pm ET/7-8 p PT: 60 Minutes (regular 7–8 pm time slot begins September 20)

(Robert Voets/CBS )

Wednesday, September 23
8–10 pm ET: Survivor (Season 51 premiere; regular 8–9:30 pm time slot begins September 30)

Sunday, September 27
7–7:30 pm ET: NFL doubleheader
7:30–9:30 pm ET/4:30-6:30 pm PT: 2026 Video Music Awards (VMAs)

Wednesday, September 30
9:30–11 pm ET: The Amazing Race (Season 39 premiere)

(CBS/Fred Hayes)

Sunday, October 4
7–7:30 pm ET: NFL doubleheader
7:30–8:30 pm ET/7-8 pm PT: 60 Minutes
8:30–9:30 pm ET/8-9 pm PT: Marshals (Season 2 premiere)
9:30–10:30 pm ET/9-10 pm PT: Tracker (Season 4 premiere)

Monday, October 5
8–9 pm: FBI (Season 9 premiere)
9–10 pm: CIA (Season 2 premiere)
10–11 pm: Harlan Coben’s Final Twist (Season 2 premiere)

(Bennett Raglin/CBS)

Tuesday, October 6
8–9 pm ET: NCIS (Season 24 premiere)
9–10 pm ET: NCIS: New York (series premiere)
10–11 pm ET: NCIS: Origins (Season 3 premiere)

Wednesday, October 7
8–9:30 pm ET: Survivor (regular time period)
9:30–11 pm ET: The Amazing Race (regular time period)

Thursday, October 8
8–8:30 pm ET: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (Season 3 premiere)
8:30–9 pm ET: Eternally Yours (series premiere)
9–10 pm ET: Elsbeth (Season 4 premiere)
10–11 pm ET: Cupertino (series premiere)

Friday, October 9
8–9 pm ET: Sheriff Country (Season 2 premiere)
9–10 pm ET: Fire Country (Season 5 premiere)
10–11 pm ET: Boston Blue (Season 2 premiere)

(John Medland/CBS )

Saturday, October 10
10–11 pm ET: 48 Hours (Season 39 premiere)

Sunday, October 11
7–8 pm ET: 60 Minutes (regular time period)
8–9 pm ET: Marshals (regular time period)
9–10 pm ET Tracker (regular time period)

Thursday, October 29
9–10 pm ET: Ghosts (Halloween two-episode special)

Thursday, December 10
9–10 pm ET : Ghosts (Ghostmas two-episode special)

How do you feel about these premiere dates? Sound off below!

• I’m frsutrated that another detective is leaving Law & Order because it’s harder to become invested in personal arcs or relationships.

• Everyone dismissed Marshals as just another procedural but Dutton Ranch’s arrival confirms that Marshals is the better Yellowstone spinoff.

• When NCIS: Tony & Ziva first premiered, I didn’t have Paramount+, and then the show was canceled. I now feel the need to watch it.

• We scored an exclusive sneak-peek for America’s Got Talent, and our hearts are in our throats at this exciting act!

• The rain started beating on Fire Country a while ago but Season 4 proves that this show has no idea what it is anymore. Let’s discuss!

You can view the original article HERE.