Sports are becoming the bane of our existence these days.
We’ve already lamented that NBC’s acquisition of basketball has decimated most of its scripted programming, to our abject horror and disgust.
However, things are a bit brighter on ABC’s 2025 Fall schedule, which includes scripted programming. We’ll just have to ignore the pesky football effect on two of the network’s heaviest hitters.
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)
Once again, ABC will be airing Monday Night Football, so the network loses out on primetime scripting for a full night.
It’s worked to their advantage, though, and they’re able to stack the rest of the week with some of its best programming.
Tuesdays, for example, will feature the hit competition series Dancing with the Stars, and Wednesday will see the business-geared reality TV hit Shark Tank switch over from Friday night, getting a potentially strong lead-in from The Golden Bachelor.
Yes, ABC’s Wednesday night comedy slot will slide right into reality television. Oh, goody!
Fortunately, by Thursday night, we’ll see a full schedule of scripted television, and on Friday, the game show Celebrity Wheel of Fortune will precede 20/20.
It’s not ideal as we continue to mourn the loss of scripted fare in favor of sports and reality TV, but compared to other networks like FOX and NBC, there’s at least something to hold onto here.
Two Fan Favorite Series Will Ride the Bench Until Midseason
(Disney/Mike Taing)
The bad news for diehard fans of Will Trent and The Rookie is that, yet again, ABC is withholding them from the Fall schedule.
It means they likely won’t premiere until January 2026.
They’re both two of the networks’ most successful series, so it’s not surprising that they’re opting to push them until midseason and follow what has worked thus far.
It’s also a great way to stretch out the scripted programming that ABC does have, let alone give them enough time to focus on debuts such as 9-1-1: Nashville.
Plus, with both series scoring 18 episodes, we’ll get uninterrupted airing.
High Potential Carries the Beginning of the Week
(Disney/Carlos Lopez-Calleja)
For those of us who are only interested in the scripted fare, High Potential’s highly anticipated sophomore season will do the heavy lifting by being the only procedural to make it to the schedule at the beginning of the week.
It’ll keep its Tuesday night time slot at 10/9c. If it’s not broke, don’t fix it, right?
The series was massively successful when it debuted last Fall and has since climbed the ranks as one of ABC’s best series.
It’ll be one of the bright spots in the Fall lineup, and it’s sure to amass the ratings and viewership needed.
9-1-1: Nashville Steals Doctor Odyssey’s Spot
(Disney/Tina Thorpe)
It’s not looking good for Doctor Odyssey.
ABC hasn’t announced that it axed the series yet, but with it not making an appearance on the Fall schedule, could it be doomed?
There have been mixed reactions to the series, but it’s also a Ryan Murphy production headlined by Joshua Jackson, and ABC may not be ready to sink it just yet. We’ll have to see.
In the meantime, benching Odyssey makes sense to debut 9-1-1: Nashville. The network is throwing a lot at this franchise spinoff, and it makes perfect sense to give it the best shot at success by pairing it with 9-1-1 and Grey’s Anatomy for a Thursday night heavy-hitter.
Check out the ABC Fall Lineup Below!
( Daniel Delgado Jr./ Disney)
Sunday
7/6c – America’s Funniest Home Videos
8/7c – The Wonderful World of Disney (Feature Disney Films)
Monday
8/7c – ESPN’s Monday Night Football
Tuesday
8/7c – Dancing with the Stars
10/9c – High Potential
Wednesday
(Disney/Raymond Liu)
8/7c Shifting Gears
8:30 – Abbott Elementary
9/8c – The Golden Bachelor
10/9c Shark Tank
Thursday
(Disney/Ray Mickshaw)
8/7c – 9-1-1
9/8c – 9-1-1: Nashville
10/9c – Grey’s Anatomy
Friday
8/7c – Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
9/8c 20/20
(Disney/Anne Marie Fox)
Celebrity Jeopardy, Will Trent, The Rookie, and American Idol will appear midseason. The Bachelor still isn’t on the schedule.
What are your thoughts on the ABC schedule?
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