ABC Goes All-In: Every Scripted Series Survives as Network Bets Big on Franchise Power
2026-05-13 |
Story by: Daniel Bevers
ABC enters the 2026 fall television season in a commanding position, fueled by one of its strongest lineups in years.
After dominating the 2025-2026 broadcast year among Adults 18-49, the network announced a primetime lineup built entirely on momentum, renewing every scripted series on its slate for the first time in network history. At a moment when broadcast television is defined by cancellations and shrinking audiences, ABC is choosing expansion instead of retreat.
The network now claims four of the five biggest multiplatform hits on television: “High Potential,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “The Rookie,” and “Abbott Elementary.” Ten ABC programs landed in the Top 20 overall, giving the network a commanding lead over its broadcast rivals. Among younger viewers, ABC tightened its grip even further, owning the three most-watched programs among Adults 18-34.
Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich called the moment “a position of undeniable strength,” pointing to ABC’s growing dominance across both traditional television and Hulu streaming.
But the network’s biggest gamble may be doubling down on its expanding scripted universe.
Leading the charge is “The Rookie: North,” a new spinoff that pushes the franchise into darker, more dangerous territory. The series follows Alex Holland, a man confronting years of failed commitments after a violent home invasion forces him into a life-changing decision: becoming a rookie police officer in Pierce County. Set between isolated forests and unforgiving urban corridors, the drama promises higher stakes, harsher terrain, and a protagonist desperate to prove his life still matters.
Jay Ellis leads the cast alongside Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe, and Malik Watson.
The expansion comes as the original “The Rookie” prepares for its ninth season, cementing the franchise as one of ABC’s most reliable hits.
Elsewhere, ABC is leaning heavily into familiar powerhouse brands. Ryan Murphy’s “9-1-1” universe continues to dominate Thursday nights with “9-1-1,” “9-1-1: Nashville,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” forming a wall-to-wall block of emergencies, trauma, and high-stakes survival.
Tuesday nights remain anchored by “Dancing with the Stars,” now entering its 35th season, while Wednesday’s lineup pairs breakout revival “Scrubs” with the Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary.”
Even the network’s unscripted and event strategy reflects maximum confidence. ABC will carry “Monday Night Football,” major college football matchups, and a powerhouse lineup of live events in 2027 including the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, the GRAMMY Awards, and the Oscars.
The message behind ABC’s new schedule is unmistakable: while the rest of broadcast television fights to stay relevant, ABC believes it has already won the battle for viewers — and it’s betting even bigger on becoming television’s last true mass audience network.
The network now claims four of the five biggest multiplatform hits on television: “High Potential,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “The Rookie,” and “Abbott Elementary.” Ten ABC programs landed in the Top 20 overall, giving the network a commanding lead over its broadcast rivals. Among younger viewers, ABC tightened its grip even further, owning the three most-watched programs among Adults 18-34.
Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich called the moment “a position of undeniable strength,” pointing to ABC’s growing dominance across both traditional television and Hulu streaming.
But the network’s biggest gamble may be doubling down on its expanding scripted universe.
Leading the charge is “The Rookie: North,” a new spinoff that pushes the franchise into darker, more dangerous territory. The series follows Alex Holland, a man confronting years of failed commitments after a violent home invasion forces him into a life-changing decision: becoming a rookie police officer in Pierce County. Set between isolated forests and unforgiving urban corridors, the drama promises higher stakes, harsher terrain, and a protagonist desperate to prove his life still matters.
Jay Ellis leads the cast alongside Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe, and Malik Watson.
The expansion comes as the original “The Rookie” prepares for its ninth season, cementing the franchise as one of ABC’s most reliable hits.
Elsewhere, ABC is leaning heavily into familiar powerhouse brands. Ryan Murphy’s “9-1-1” universe continues to dominate Thursday nights with “9-1-1,” “9-1-1: Nashville,” and “Grey’s Anatomy” forming a wall-to-wall block of emergencies, trauma, and high-stakes survival.
Tuesday nights remain anchored by “Dancing with the Stars,” now entering its 35th season, while Wednesday’s lineup pairs breakout revival “Scrubs” with the Emmy-winning “Abbott Elementary.”
Even the network’s unscripted and event strategy reflects maximum confidence. ABC will carry “Monday Night Football,” major college football matchups, and a powerhouse lineup of live events in 2027 including the Super Bowl, College Football Playoff, the GRAMMY Awards, and the Oscars.
The message behind ABC’s new schedule is unmistakable: while the rest of broadcast television fights to stay relevant, ABC believes it has already won the battle for viewers — and it’s betting even bigger on becoming television’s last true mass audience network.
ABC’S 2026 DRAMA FALL PRIMETIME SCHEDULE (all times listed are Eastern/Pacific).
TUESDAY
10:00 PM - R.J. Decker”
THURSDAY
08:00 PM - 9-1-1
09:00 PM - 9-1-1: Nashville
10:00 PM - Grey’s Anatomy
THE ROOKIE: NORTH (midseason premiere)
Expanding the universe, “The Rookie: North” introduces Alex Holland who believed his midlife wasn’t worthy of a crisis. But after a violent home invasion ignites a dormant purpose, Alex battles a lifetime of failed commitments by joining the Pierce County Police Department as a rookie. Policing from the urban coast to the rural forest where backup isn’t just five minutes away, Alex must prove to his skeptical training officer, his fellow rookies and himself, that he’s finally found something worthy of the fight. The all-new series stars Jay Ellis, Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe and Malik Watson.
“The Rookie: North” is a spinoff of “The Rookie,” the long‑running hit series that was created by Alexi Hawley and recently renewed for a ninth season at ABC. Both series are produced by Lionsgate Television in partnership with 20th Television. Alexi Hawley will serve as executive producer and writer, with Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross and Michelle Chapman also executive producing. Jay Ellis is a producer.
TUESDAY
10:00 PM - R.J. Decker”
THURSDAY
08:00 PM - 9-1-1
09:00 PM - 9-1-1: Nashville
10:00 PM - Grey’s Anatomy
THE ROOKIE: NORTH (midseason premiere)
Expanding the universe, “The Rookie: North” introduces Alex Holland who believed his midlife wasn’t worthy of a crisis. But after a violent home invasion ignites a dormant purpose, Alex battles a lifetime of failed commitments by joining the Pierce County Police Department as a rookie. Policing from the urban coast to the rural forest where backup isn’t just five minutes away, Alex must prove to his skeptical training officer, his fellow rookies and himself, that he’s finally found something worthy of the fight. The all-new series stars Jay Ellis, Janet Montgomery, Karen Fukuhara, Chris Sullivan, Froy Gutierrez, Mya Lowe and Malik Watson.
“The Rookie: North” is a spinoff of “The Rookie,” the long‑running hit series that was created by Alexi Hawley and recently renewed for a ninth season at ABC. Both series are produced by Lionsgate Television in partnership with 20th Television. Alexi Hawley will serve as executive producer and writer, with Nathan Fillion, Mark Gordon, Bill Norcross and Michelle Chapman also executive producing. Jay Ellis is a producer.
