Summer has only just begun, but TV fans are already looking forward to the fall and the returns of their favorite shows.
Yes, there is nothing quite like summer, and it’s a time for many to unplug and enjoy added time with loved ones; however, for TV fans, it’s one of the quietest times of the year. This is because summer is the time when most of our broadcast originals take extended time off between seasons, with the broadcast airwaves being filled with reruns and unscripted originals like America’s Got Talent and Big Brother.
The good news is that most of these shows will return with new episodes once September begins to roll around; however, there are just as many beloved shows that will not arrive until 2027. The midseason lineup for the 2026-27 season is going to feature several major returning shows, including a handful of hit series that have historically kicked off their new seasons in the fall such as Matlock, High Potential, Murder in a Small Town, and Ghosts.
ABC shows that won’t return until 2027
Starting with ABC, the network’s most shocking midseason addition comes in the form of High Potential, which will be sitting the fall out and moving to midseason this year. Given how successful the Kaitlin Olson-led drama has been since debuting in September 2024, many were shocked ABC opted to push the show’s return back to midseason. However, that is the plan, and fans will have to wait until 2027 for season 3 to arrive.
ABC has also slid the Tim Allen comedy Shifting Gears to midseason, pushing the show back to the midseason schedule after moving season 2 up to fall during the 2025-26 season.
Also returning at midseason are The Rookie and Will Trent, two shows that have enjoyed a lot of success since moving to midseason. And finally, 2027 will bring new seasons of The Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise, marking the return of the beloved ABC reality TV franchise.
CBS shows that won’t return until 2027
Of the broadcast networks, CBS is making the biggest moves with its midseason slate by delaying the returns of three hit series. Matlock, Ghosts, and NCIS: Sydney are all on the move from CBS’s fall schedule to its midseason slate. The news took fans by surprise as all three shows have been part of CBS’s fall schedule since their respective starts.
Ghosts fans will technically get to enjoy a sampling of new episodes from season 6 in the fall courtesy of a Halloween and Christmas special, but the supernatural comedy has been delayed to 2027 for its regular run. Thankfully, Ghosts will still be getting a full 22-episode season.
Matlock and NCIS: Sydney are not as lucky, though. CBS has cut the episode orders for both series with Matlock season 3 set to have just 13 episodes while NCIS: Sydney season 4 will consist of a mere 10 episodes.
FOX shows that won’t return until 2027
While ABC and CBS might have made some of the bigger moves with their midseason slate, FOX has the most returning shows on deck for a 2027 release. This is due in large part to the network having fewer spots on its primetime slate with just two hours of programming compared to the three hours of primetime programming ABC, CBS, and NBC produce. As such, FOX will be holding back new seasons of several hit comedies, dramas, and unscripted shows for 2027.
Perhaps the biggest move for FOX is delaying the return of Murder in a Small Town, which will be moving to midseason and therefore won’t return until 2027. This shift comes after FOX opted to bring Best Medicine back for its second season in the fall rather than keeping the show at midseason.
Also set to return in 2027 are animated comedies American Dad!, Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, and Krapopolis; drama Memory of a Killer; and a wave of unscripted favorites including Beat Shazam, Crime Scene Kitchen, Don’t Forget the Lyrics, Extracted, Fear Factor: House of Fear, Gordon Ramsay's Secret Service, Kitchen Nightmares, LEGO Masters, The Masked Singer, Next Level Baker, and Next Level Chef.
NBC shows that won’t return until 2027
After making a number of cancellations this season with Brilliant Minds, Stumble, and The Hunting Party all axed, NBC didn’t have much movement in its fall slate. Most of the shows on tap for NBC’s midseason lineup are new series entering the mix with only one NBC show’s return being held for 2027.
The only returning NBC show that won’t kick off its season in the fall is Destination X, which will return at midseason sometime in 2027. The Jeffrey Dean Morgan hosted series will be joined by new NBC series The Rockford Files, Sunset P.I., and Wordle in the midseason schedule.
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