ABC has set premiere dates for its midseason series, which notably includes “High Potential,” “The Bachelor” and more, as well as a new series called “Surviving a Scandal.”
It all kicks off on Tuesday, Jan. 5, with the Season 5 premiere of “Will Trent” at 8 p.m., followed by “High Potential” Season 3 at 9 p.m. “High Potential” was the top-rated series among adults 18-49 for the 2025-2026 season, meaning it should provide plenty of lead into “Surviving a Scandal” for the 10 p.m. timeslot.
The official description for the newly announced series reads: “From Milli Vanilli to Octomom and Joey Buttafuoco, ‘Surviving Scandal’ explores the trials and tribulations of notorious individuals whose private lives have become tabloid fodder. The series explores the long-term effects of relentless public scrutiny and what happens when your identity becomes synonymous with scandal. Whether thrust into the spotlight for their own scandals or simply proximity to foul play, the world watched as one event changed the course of these people’s lives.” Glass Entertainment is producing the series for ABC News Studios; executive producers include Jon Hirsch and Nancy Glass for Glass Entertainment; David Sloan; and ABC News Studios’ Muriel Pearson.
Also noteworthy for “High Potential” fans is a special episode that aired immediately after Super Bowl LXI, which was previously announced to take place on Valentine’s Day.
On Wednesday, January 6, Season 3 of “Shifting Gears” will premiere at 8 p.m. Next up is ABC’s longest-running series, “The Rookie,” with its Season 9 premiere at 9 p.m., followed by the Jay Ellis-led spinoff series “The Rookie: North” at 10 p.m.
On Friday, January 29, “Celebrity Jeopardy” returns for its fifth season at 8 p.m. ABC will air an anniversary special on “American Idol” on Monday, Feb. 1 at 8 p.m., ahead of the Feb. 8 premiere of the singing competition series’ 25th season.
“The Bachelor” will air its Season 30 premiere on March 21 at 8:01 p.m. ABC’s reality dating series has been rocked by scandals lately, with Taylor Frankie Paul’s season of “The Bachelorette” breaking up due to allegations of domestic violence between her and ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. Although “Bachelor” typically airs year-round, Season 30 will be the first entry into the series since “Bachelor in Paradise” in summer 2025. “What Would You Do?” Season 18 will air right after “The Bachelor.”
ABC also slated midseason returns for series like “9-1-1,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Abbott Elementary,” which premiered in the fall. You can see the full midseason schedule below, including previously announced dates for the Grammys and Oscars.
TUESDAY, JANUARY. 5
20:00 “Will Trent” (Season 5 Premiere)
21:00 “High Potential” (Season 3 Premiere)
22:00 “Surviving a Scandal” (Series Premiere)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY. 6
20:00 “Changing Gears” (Two-Part Season 3 Premiere)
21:00 “The Rookie” (Season 9 Premiere)
22:00 “The Rookie North” (Series Premiere)
THURSDAY, JANUARY. 7
20:00 “9-1-1” (Season 10 Mid-Season Return)
21:00 “9-1-1: Nashville” (Season 2 Midseason Return)
22:00 “Grey’s Anatomy” (Season 23 Midseason Return)
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY. 13
20:31 “Abbott Elementary” (Season 6 Midseason Return)
FRIDAY, JANUARY. 29
20:00 “Celebrity Danger!” (Season 5 Premiere)
MONDAY, FEBRUARY. 1
20:00 “25 Year Old American Idol” (w/t)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY. 7
19:00 ET/16:00 PT “Grammy Awards”
MONDAY, FEBRUARY. 8
20:00 “American Idol” (Season 25 Premiere)
22:00 “Shark Tank” (New Time Zone)
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY. 14
6:30 PM ET/3:30 PM PT “Super Bowl LXI”
22:15 “High Potential”
SUNDAY, MARCH 14
7pm ET/4pm PT “Oscars”
SUNDAY, MARCH 21
19:00 “America’s Funniest Home Videos”
20:01 “The Bachelor” (Season 30 Premiere)
22:01 “What Would You Do?” (Season 18 Premiere)