ABC announced that they will be bringing back their record-breaking mid-season debut, and viewers can now mark their calendars! The network has also announced premiere dates for some of its longest-running drama series and reality programs, leading up to an early-2026 schedule that continues from where the holiday season picked up.From mythical crime revivals to hyped-about-resurrected reboots, the fresh lineup seems to be bursting at the seams, and it's sooner than later.With the schedule down for the count, ABC shows are again multi-nighting it with veteran blockbusters like Will Trent, The Rookie, Grey's Anatomy, and a few newcomers like High Potential and the much-anticipated Scrubs reboot.Swoon your way through or battle-sing-of-the-alphas with American Idol, mid-season premiere has something for all kinds of viewers, and it begins in early January.Mid-season premiere date schedule for ABC ShowsAs per Deadline, ABC's mid-season 2026 schedule is looking like a crammed string of returning shows, new debuts, and some surprises thrown in along the way across the network's primetime grid. It all starts on Sunday, January 4, with America's Funniest Home Videos returning for season 36 at 7 p.m. ET, with an action-packed few months to boot.Tuesdays will have a complete slate of dramas, starting on January 6 with Will Trent's return for its fourth season at 8 p.m., followed by High Potential continuing its second season at 9 p.m., and The Rookie launching its eighth season at 10 p.m. Midweek series premieres on Wednesday, January 7, with Shifting Gears at 8 p.m., Abbott Elementary returns with season five at 8:30 p.m., and Shark Tank is back for season 17 at 10 p.m.Thursday nights, beginning on January 8, will again be the domain's signature dramas, 9-1-1 returns at 8 p.m., with 9-1-1: Nashville at 9 p.m., and Grey's Anatomy in its 22nd season, ending the night at 10 p.m. Fridays continue with unscripted favorites starting Jan. 9, with Celebrity Wheel of Fortune back at 8 p.m., and 20/20 back at 9 p.m.Sports take center stage on Saturday, Jan. 24, with Inside the NBA at 8 p.m., then Dallas Mavericks vs. Los Angeles Lakers at 8:30 p.m. And on Monday, Jan. 26, dependable old American Idol begins its season 24 at 8 p.m. Castover is back in February, when the Scrubs revival series will finally have a two-parter premiere time slot on Wednesday, Feb. 25, at 8 p.m., followed by Celebrity Jeopardy! All Stars, which is back for a fourth season on Friday, Feb. 27, at 8 p.m.Ending the mid-season run is The Bachelorette, Sunday, March 22, 8 p.m., which completes ABC's speedy and unconventional winter schedule.All times referred to here are Eastern Time (ET) and are part of ABC's current primetime lineup, but there may be minor variations that are created closer to air dates.What the mid-season lineup revealsThe fall schedule embeds the manner in which the channel is building its largest shows across the week on a systematic level. Tuesdays are still the police and investigative drama domain with Will Trent, High Potential, and The Rookie representing a decent back-to-back double feature.Thursdays maintain the network's rich legacy of dramas, acquiring 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, and Grey's Anatomy in one high-octane package.Reality shows have their turn as well. American Idol's turn is Mondays starting January 26, and America's Funniest Home Videos debuts the first Sunday of the year.Scrubs' return brings some retro kick mid-season on ABC with some humor to cut through what otherwise is a drama-heavy schedule.Why these premiere dates matterThese initial weeks provide television audiences of ABC shows with an easy reminder of what is to be anticipated. Early January is a great way of keeping individuals involved right after the holidays, a time when all the other television networks are scarcely even premiering anything. It also strikes exactly the right balance of repeats of the top programs and new programs, so the week is engaging to new fans and old fans alike.To its Monday-to-Friday ABC drama ratings, this weeknight TV domination maintains the network formula: weeknight dramas and Saturday and Sunday reality programs. It's a beat that ABC learned years ago and provides each program the space it requires to attract its audience without cannibalizing.ABC's mid-season 2026 schedule is an open and rolling window to the future, crazy weekdays, thriller Thursday nights, and easy weekends. The heavy hitters now have all of their time-slots, and because the schedules will shift somewhat later on in the season, these premiere dates are closest to the truth today.From drama premieres to darkness and concert music, ABC programming is on board for a full season in January. Fans can put their watchlists together because this season’s mid-year lineup promises no dull nights on primetime television.Also read: The SoapCentral Suggestion List: Top 9 Greatest Of All Time TV shows, ranked