As summer winds down, television schedules are filling up with returning favorites, new series, reality programs, and fresh streaming releases.

The 2026 fall season brings a packed lineup across major broadcast networks and streaming platforms, giving viewers plenty of choices from September through November.

ABC Has a Busy Week

ABC's fall lineup covers several nights with a mixture of entertainment, comedy, drama, and reality programming. Monday is centered around Monday Night Football, while Tuesday features Dancing with the Stars followed by the new series RJ Decker.

Wednesday combines established favorites and unscripted programs. Scrubs leads the evening, followed by Abbott Elementary, Celebrity Jeopardy, and Shark Tank. Thursday shifts toward scripted drama with 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, and Grey's Anatomy.

Friday includes Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and 20/20, while Saturday and Sunday feature sports and family-oriented programming, including America's Funniest Home Videos and The Wonderful World of Disney.

CBS Brings Familiar Franchises

CBS continues to build its schedule around established crime dramas, reality competitions, and returning series. Monday pairs FBI with CIA and Harlan Coben's Final Twist.

Tuesday belongs largely to the NCIS universe, with NCIS, NCIS: New York, and NCIS: Origins occupying the evening. Wednesday features Survivor and The Amazing Race.

Thursday mixes comedy and drama through Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Eternally Yours, Elsbeth, and Cupertino. Friday continues with Sheriff Country, Fire Country, and Boston Blue. Sunday includes Marshals and Tracker, while Saturday is largely dedicated to encore programming and 48 Hrs.

The CW Keeps Things Focused

The CW has a comparatively compact fall schedule. Monday features Private Eyes West Coast and Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent. Friday and Saturday are devoted to college football, keeping the network's weekly offering relatively straightforward during the fall sports season.

Fox Mixes Reality and Comedy

Fox takes a varied approach. Monday features Celebrity Name That Tune and Celebrity Weakest Link. Tuesday brings the new series Best Medicine alongside Doc, while Wednesday features The Floor and 99 to Beat.

NBC Builds Through the Season

NBC's schedule changes as the fall progresses. The Voice takes Monday and Tuesday evenings, while St. Denis Medical and The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins are scheduled to join Monday nights in November.

Wednesday introduces the Chicago drama lineup, with Chicago Med, Chicago Fire, and Chicago P.D. Thursday features The Traitors: New Blood followed by Law & Order SVU and Law & Order. Friday includes Happy's Place, Newlyweds, and Dateline NBC.

The fall 2026 television season is shaped by variety rather than a single dominant format. With schedules changing throughout the season, viewers have a broad selection of comedy, drama, reality, competition, and returning favorites to follow.