ABC Maps Out Midseason Returns and Major Premiere Dates
WHO:
The Hollywood Reporter - *The Rookie* and its spinoff *The Rookie: North* will share a two-hour Wednesday-night block.
Deadline - ABC announced midseason plans for series including *High Potential*, *Will Trent*, *Abbott Elementary*, *Shifting Gears*, *American Idol* and *The Bachelor*.
Variety - ABC’s midseason lineup also includes the new series *Surviving a Scandal*.
Screen Rant - ABC’s planned medical spinoff series is affected by a delay and a change of location.
WHAT:
The Hollywood Reporter - *Shifting Gears* Season 3 will premiere with two episodes; *Abbott Elementary* will rejoin the lineup the following week.
The Hollywood Reporter - ABC scheduled *The Rookie* and *The Rookie: North* together, with *The Rookie* moving to 9 p.m. and the spinoff airing at 10 p.m.
The Hollywood Reporter - *High Potential* will receive a post-Super Bowl showcase.
The Hollywood Reporter - *American Idol* will begin its 25th season and 10th season on ABC; ABC also scheduled a retrospective special, “American Idol at 25” (working title).
The Hollywood Reporter - *Shark Tank* is moving to a new night.
Deadline - ABC revealed winter 2027 dates for new seasons of several series, including *High Potential*, *Will Trent*, *Abbott Elementary*, *Shifting Gears*, *American Idol* and *The Bachelor*.
Variety - ABC set midseason premiere dates for returning shows and *Surviving a Scandal*; the schedule begins with the *Will Trent* Season 5 premiere, followed by *High Potential* Season 3.
Screen Rant - ABC’s new medical spinoff, previously expected to launch in midseason 2027, has been delayed to fall 2027.
WHEN:
The Hollywood Reporter - *The Rookie* and *The Rookie: North* are scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 6; *Shifting Gears* premieres that day.
The Hollywood Reporter - *Celebrity Jeopardy!* is scheduled for Friday, Jan. 29.
The Hollywood Reporter - “American Idol at 25” is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 1; *American Idol* Season 25 is scheduled for Monday, Feb. 8.
The Hollywood Reporter - The Grammy Awards are scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 7; the Oscars are scheduled for Sunday, March 14.
The Hollywood Reporter - *The Bachelor* is scheduled to return Sunday, March 21; *What Would You Do?* is scheduled to air at 10 p.m. that night.
The Hollywood Reporter - The Super Bowl LXI broadcast is scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 14, with *High Potential* slated for the postgame showcase.
Variety - *Will Trent* Season 5 is scheduled to premiere Tuesday Jan. 5 at 8 p.m.; *High Potential* Season 3 follows.
Variety - *The Bachelor* Season 30 is scheduled to launch in March.
Screen Rant - The medical spinoff is now planned for fall 2027 rather than midseason 2027.
WHY:
Screen Rant - The medical spinoff’s delay followed a setback; the article also reports that the series is changing locations.
HOW:
Variety - ABC’s midseason schedule opens with *Will Trent* Season 5 at 8 p.m., followed by *High Potential* Season 3.
(UPDATED November 7, 2026 01:59 UTC)
ABC’s midseason lineup opens with returning dramas, while its medical spinoff shifts to fall 2027. The Rookie and its spinoff will share Wednesdays, with Shifting Gears premiering alongside them. American Idol returns for season 25, and High Potential gets a post-Super Bowl showcase.
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(UPDATED November 6, 2026 22:09 UTC)
ABC’s winter lineup starts with Will Trent’s fifth season, followed by High Potential’s third. The schedule also includes returning series, American Idol, The Bachelor, and new drama Surviving a Scandal. A planned medical spinoff is delayed until fall 2027 and changing locations.