ABC’s biggest new show coming in early 2026 is actually a preexisting condition. The medical comedy Scrubs, which ran on NBC and ABC from 2001 to 2010, is getting revived with many members of the original cast, including Zach Braff, Sarah Chalke, and Donald Faison. It premieres Feb. 25 with back-to-back episodes, but there are plenty of other premieres to get excited about, too.
ABC’s formidable Tuesday night returns Jan. 6, with Will Trent coming back for Season 4 to kick off the evening. It will be followed by the continuation of High Potential‘s second season, which ABC recently touted as fall’s highest rated show (with delayed viewing included, and against a late start by CBS’s dramas) and the first 10 p.m. drama to claim that title since ER in 1999-2000. The Rookie‘s eighth season will close out the night.
The week stays busy with the midseason returns of Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 7 and 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, and Grey’s Anatomy on Thursday, Jan. 8. And much later, in March, The Bachelorette returns, after skipping all of 2025, with a spring premiere for its 22nd season, with The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star Taylor Frankie Paul choosing from a gang of suitors. The Bachelorette typically airs in the summer, and The Bachelor would usually air early in the year, but the franchise is undergoing creative behind-the-scenes shakeups, which could explain the scheduling change.
Check out the full ABC winter TV schedule below. New shows are in bold. All times listed in Eastern Time.
ABC winter TV 2026 premiere dates
Sunday, Jan. 4
7 p.m.: America’s Funniest Home Videos (Season 36 return)
Tuesday, Jan. 6
8 p.m.: Will Trent (Season 4 premiere)
9 p.m.: High Potential (Season 2 midseason return)
10 p.m.: The Rookie (Season 8 premiere)
Wednesday, Jan. 7
8 p.m.: Shifting Gears (Season 2 midseason return)
8:30 p.m.: Abbott Elementary (Season 5 midseason return)
9 p.m.: TBD
10:00 p.m.: Shark Tank (Season 17 midseason return)
Thursday, Jan. 8
8 p.m.: 9-1-1 (Season 9 midseason return)
9 p.m.: 9-1-1: Nashville (Season 1 midseason return)
10 p.m.: Grey’s Anatomy (Season 22 midseason return)
Friday, Jan. 9
8 p.m.: Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Season 6 midseason return)
9 p.m.: 20/20 (Season 48 midseason return)
Saturday, Jan. 24
8 p.m.: Inside the NBA
8:30 p.m.: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Dallas Mavericks
Monday, Jan. 26
8 p.m.: American Idol (Season 24 premiere)
Wednesday, Feb. 25
8 p.m.: Scrubs (two-episode series premiere)
Friday, Feb. 27
8 p.m.: Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars (Season 4 premiere)
Sunday, Mar. 22
8 p.m.: The Bachelorette (Season 22 premiere)
