ABC is betting big on procedural franchises and unscripted staples this fall, releasing a 2025 schedule centered around its claim as the #1 multiplatform network. Leading the charge is 9-1-1: Nashville, a new spinoff from Ryan Murphy Television and 20th Television that transplants the emergency responder drama to Music City. The series lands Thursday at 9 PM ET, slotted between the original 9-1-1 at 8 PM and veteran Grey’s Anatomy at 10 PM—a strategic move to solidify ABC’s grip on the night.
Beyond the Nashville expansion, ABC is shaking up its unscripted lineup. Ryan Seacrest slides into the host chair on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Fridays, 8 PM ET), taking over from Pat Sajak. The network is also banking on The Golden Bachelor (Wednesdays, 9 PM ET) with Mel Owens, hoping to replicate the success of its senior-focused dating format.
“Dancing with the Stars” returns Tuesdays at 8 PM ET, setting the stage for the sophomore season of “High Potential” at 10 PM ET. Wednesdays are comedy-centric, featuring “Shifting Gears” at 8 PM ET and “Abbott Elementary” at 8:30 PM ET, building into “The Golden Bachelor” and “Shark Tank”. Sundays feature “America’s Funniest Home Videos” and “The Wonderful World of Disney”.
While premiere dates and midseason scheduling remain TBD, ABC brass, led by Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich, are highlighting their gains from Nielsen’s new competitive multiplatform ratings. This focus on multiplatform viewership underscores the network’s push to capture audiences across broadcast, streaming, and digital platforms.
Notably absent from the fall lineup are stalwarts like “American Idol,” “The Rookie,” “Will Trent,” and “Celebrity Jeopardy!”, all of which are slated to return in 2026. As previously announced, ESPN’s “Monday Night Football” will command much of ABC’s Monday nights. To sweeten the pot, all episodes will be available for streaming on Hulu the next day. The key takeaway: ABC is doubling down on what works while strategically expanding proven franchises to build a broader, multiplatform audience. The pressure is on 9-1-1: Nashville to deliver.
