ABC has officially released its complete midseason schedule, revealing significant structural changes for its procedural lineup and confirming the return of its flagship reality franchise. The most notable shift involves The Rookie and its new spinoff, The Rookie: North. While the network previously announced premiere dates for both series, the final schedule clarifies that the move from The Rookie's traditional Tuesday slot is permanent. Both shows will now air on Wednesday nights, forming a dedicated two-hour block.
This scheduling decision places The Rookie in the 9 p.m. time slot, an earlier position than its previous 10 p.m. home. The Rookie: North will follow at 10 p.m., benefiting from a strong lead-in from the veteran series. This arrangement is designed to leverage the established audience of the original show to support the new spinoff, creating a cohesive programming block for the network.
The Wednesday night lineup will also feature the return of the comedy Shifting Gears. Season three of the series, which stars Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, is set to premiere with two back-to-back episodes on January 6. The following week, Abbott Elementary will rejoin the lineup, continuing its presence in the network's weekly rotation.
On Tuesday nights, ABC will maintain its current drama lineup with minimal changes. Will Trent and High Potential are scheduled to return to their usual slots on January 5. High Potential will air at 9 p.m., while Will Trent will occupy the 8 p.m. hour. A new unscripted series titled Surviving a Scandal, produced by ABC News Studios, will fill the 10 p.m. time slot. Additionally, High Potential is slated for a special post-Super Bowl showcase on February 14.
The reality television segment of the midseason slate marks a significant return for the Bachelor franchise. The Bachelor is set to premiere on March 21, ending a period of absence for the franchise from the network. The Bachelor-verse had been off-air since the finale of The Golden Bachelor's second season in November 2025. The last episode of The Bachelor aired in March 2025, a period that coincided with behind-the-scenes changes and the cancellation of the previous Bachelorette season starring Taylor Frankie Paul.
Music and competition programming also feature prominently in the upcoming months. American Idol is scheduled to launch its 25th season and its 10th season on ABC on February 8. To build anticipation, the network will air a retrospective special about the show's history on February 1. Shark Tank will also move to a new night, airing at 10 p.m. on Mondays starting February 8.
Major live events will anchor the schedule in late winter and early spring. The Grammy Awards are set for Sunday, February 7, while the Oscars will air on Sunday, March 14. The Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for February 14, which will also serve as the launchpad for the High Potential special. Other scheduled events include a broadcast of Celebrity Jeopardy! on January 29.
In a related development, ABC has pushed the development of the Grey's Anatomy spinoff it ordered earlier this year to the 2027-28 season. Industry observers noted that this delay was expected, as the project has not yet completed its casting process. The full midseason schedule, including all listed times, reflects the network's strategy to balance new premieres with returning favorites and high-profile live events.
