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The fall 2026 TV schedule is overflowing with new and returning shows — but some of your favorite programs are being held until the new year.
CBS announced its schedule in April 2026, and viewers couldn’t help but notice some substantial changes. Ghosts, Matlock and NCIS: Sydney received a shakeup by having their premieres moved to 2027 for midseason. They will join the new show Einstein, which is finally premiering in 2027 as well.
Matlock’s time slot will be given to Elsbeth to allow Cupertino to premiere on the same night. NCIS: Sydney, meanwhile, is moving to midseason as NCIS: Origins — which received a shorter episode order — takes over to pair off with NCIS: New York.
ABC is also declining to bring back every show in the fall. High Potential, The Rookie and Shifting Gears are some of the programs being held back for a later, midseason premiere. Keep scrolling to see the full list — and the reason why there is a wait:
‘The Rookie’
This isn’t the first time The Rookie was held until midseason. Showrunner Alexi Hawley teased the show’s return, sharing at a panel in July 2026, “I think [the huge two-part premiere] is the best of what we do. I just wish everybody didn’t have to wait until January to see it.”
‘High Potential’
Elsewhere on ABC, High Potential had a surprise swap when RJ Decker took over the post-DWTS slot instead. Ari Goldman, who is senior vice president of content strategy and scheduling at ABC, told Deadline in May 2026 that the shift was in an effort to “give viewers a chance to watch these shows with as little interruption as possible across the season.”
‘Will Trent’
Following several onscreen character deaths. Will Trent will be back — but not until 2027.
‘Shifting Gears’
Tim Allen and Kat Dennings‘ hit sitcom is currently filming in preparation for a 2027 return.
‘Ghosts’
While CBS isn’t bringing Ghosts back until midseason, there will still be Halloween and Christmas specials to hold Us over.
‘Matlock’
Creator Jennie Snyder Urman addressed her decision to delay Matlock’s return, telling TV Insider ahead of the second season finale in April 2026, “I asked for it [to be pushed] with the network. We had a talk. I just feel like we had so much stuff to think about because we really landed the plane on this, and we really thought that was important because we didn’t want to keep dragging out the same story, and the characters have to get to someplace real emotionally.”
‘NCIS: Sydney’
NCIS, NCIS: New York and NCIS: Origins are all airing in fall 2026 while NCIS: Sydney was held back to make room.
‘Memory of a Killer’
Memory of a Killer is mirroring its first season premiere by aiming for midseason.
‘Murder in a Small Town’
Murder in a Small Town is returning for season 3 with a bit of a delay.
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