ABC Sets Midseason Dates: 'High Potential' Returns Jan. 5, 'The Bachelor' in March

ABC will launch its midseason lineup on Tuesday, January 5, with the Season 3 premiere of "High Potential" at 9 p.m., the network has announced. The crime drama, the top-rated series among adults 18-49 in the 2025-2026 season, will anchor a new Tuesday night built to launch a new series.

"Will Trent" opens the night with its Season 5 premiere at 8 p.m. At 10 p.m., ABC will debut "Surviving a Scandal," a documentary series produced by Glass Entertainment for ABC News Studios.

The official description reads: "From Milli Vanilli to Octomom and Joey Buttafuoco, 'Surviving a Scandal' delves into the trials and tribulations of the infamous people whose private lives became tabloid fodder. The series explores the long-term effects of relentless public scrutiny and what happens when your identity becomes synonymous with scandal."

Executive producers include Jon Hirsch and Nancy Glass for Glass Entertainment, David Sloan, and Muriel Pearson for ABC News Studios.

"High Potential" fans also get a bonus: a special episode airs directly after Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, at 10:15 p.m.

What airs the rest of premiere week?

Wednesday, January 6 brings a full night of premieres:

• 8 p.m.: "Shifting Gears," two-episode Season 3 premiere
• 9 p.m.: "The Rookie," ABC's longest-running current series, returns for Season 9
• 10 p.m.: "The Rookie: North," a new spinoff led by Jay Ellis

Thursday, January 7 marks the midseason returns of "9-1-1" (Season 10), "9-1-1: Nashville" (Season 2) and "Grey's Anatomy" (Season 23). "Abbott Elementary" returns January 13 at 8:31 p.m.

When do the reality franchises return?

"Celebrity Jeopardy!" begins its fifth season on Friday, January 29, at 8 p.m. ABC will air an "American Idol" anniversary special, "American Idol at 25," on Monday, February 1, at 8 p.m., ahead of the singing competition's Season 25 premiere on February 8. "Shark Tank" moves to a new 10 p.m. time slot that same night.

"The Bachelor" returns for Season 30 on Sunday, March 21, at 8:01 p.m., with "What Would You Do?" Season 18 following at 10:01 p.m.

The premiere comes after a turbulent stretch for the franchise. Taylor Frankie Paul's season of "The Bachelorette" fell apart amid allegations of domestic violence between her and her ex-boyfriend, Dakota Mortensen. Season 30 will be the franchise's first entry since "Bachelor in Paradise" in the summer of 2025, despite the series typically running year-round.

The night also includes "America's Funniest Home Videos" at 7 p.m.

Full midseason schedule

Tuesday, Jan. 5 — 8:00 p.m. "Will Trent" (Season 5 Premiere); 9:00 p.m. "High Potential" (Season 3 Premiere); 10:00 p.m. "Surviving a Scandal" (Series Premiere)

Wednesday, Jan. 6 — 8:00 p.m. "Shifting Gears" (Two-Episode Season 3 Premiere); 9:00 p.m. "The Rookie" (Season 9 Premiere); 10:00 p.m. "The Rookie: North" (Series Premiere)

Thursday, Jan. 7 — 8:00 p.m. "9-1-1" (Season 10 Midseason Return); 9:00 p.m. "9-1-1: Nashville" (Season 2 Midseason Return); 10:00 p.m. "Grey's Anatomy" (Season 23 Midseason Return)

Wednesday, Jan. 13 — 8:31 p.m. "Abbott Elementary" (Season 6 Midseason Return)

Friday, Jan. 29 — 8:00 p.m. "Celebrity Jeopardy!" (Season 5 Premiere)

Monday, Feb. 1 — 8:00 p.m. "American Idol at 25" (w/t)

Sunday, Feb. 7 — 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT "The Grammy Awards"

Monday, Feb. 8 — 8:00 p.m. "American Idol" (Season 25 Premiere); 10:00 p.m. "Shark Tank" (New Time Period)

Sunday, Feb. 14 — 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT "Super Bowl LXI"; 10:15 p.m. "High Potential"

Sunday, March 14 — 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT "The Oscars"

Sunday, March 21 — 7:00 p.m. "America's Funniest Home Videos"; 8:01 p.m. "The Bachelor" (Season 30 Premiere); 10:01 p.m. "What Would You Do?" (Season 18 Premiere)

The schedule stakes ABC's strongest performer, "High Potential," on both a weekly Tuesday slot and the largest television audience of the year — a sign the network intends to use its top-rated drama to seed two new nights.