ABC's TV Lineup: What's Staying and What's Going

ABC has made its choices for most of its TV shows for the 2025-26 season. They have decided to keep several popular shows, but there are some notable exceptions. The network has confirmed that Grey’s Anatomy, 911, The Rookie, Will Trent, and the new comedy Shifting Gears will all be returning. These shows join Abbott Elementary and High Potential, which were already set to continue. Additionally, 911: Nashville, a spin-off of the original 911 series, has been given the green light to start production. Grey’s Anatomy is set to air its 22nd season, making it the longest-running scripted show in ABC’s history. 911 will be on its ninth season overall and its third on ABC, having moved from Fox. The Rookie is heading into its eighth season, while Will Trent will start its fourth season. Shifting Gears, led by Tim Allen, will have its second season. These renewals show ABC's commitment to keeping its veteran shows while also giving new comedies a chance. Not everyone is getting a second chance, though. Doctor Odyssey, a first-year drama starring Joshua Jackson, is currently in limbo. Talks are ongoing between ABC and the show’s team about its creative direction, and a decision on a second season has not been made yet. This uncertainty highlights the challenges new shows face in securing a future on TV.

ABC has the smallest number of scripted shows among the big four broadcast networks, with only nine series airing this season. One of these, The Conners, is set to end in a month. The network has also had a relatively quiet development season, with only a few projects in the works. Among these is a potential spin-off of The Rookie. ABC and Hulu merged their development teams under Simran Sethi six months ago, which could lead to more collaborative projects in the future. ABC's strategy seems to focus on a mix of proven hits and new content. Their unscripted shows, along with programming from ABC News and live sports produced by ESPN, fill most of their primetime slots. This approach allows them to maintain a diverse lineup while keeping costs manageable. There is still a chance that ABC might order a few more pilots this spring to consider for the second half of the 2025-26 season. Shifting Gears was produced on a similar timeline last year, scoring a pilot order in early March and a series pickup in July. The renewal of these shows is a big deal for fans. It means they get to enjoy more episodes of their favorite series. However, it also raises questions about the future of new shows and the diversity of content on TV. As ABC continues to shape its lineup, viewers will be watching to see what new and exciting content comes their way.

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