ABC’s fall schedule is going to look very different this season. While the network says they will announce dates for their scripted series in the near future, the tentative fall schedule is heavy on unscripted programming due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The announced schedule pretty much follows the footsteps of CBS, Fox, and The CW. These networks decided to hold most of their scripted fare until either later in the year or early next year while relaying on unscripted reality shows and acquired shows from other platforms. ABC’s fall schedule is filled with a number of is unscripted staples including The Bachelorette, America’s Funniest Home Videos, Shark Tank, and Dancing With the Stars.
Monday nights will kick off with two-hours of the long-running dance competition series Dancing With the Stars on September 14. The show has been trying to build momentum with Tyra Banks taking over as host and the promise of bigger stars this season. Thursday night has the biggest change on the network. The night which was usually occupied by Grey’s Anatomy, Station 19, and A Million Little Things, will now be taken over by Celebrity Family Feud, Press Your Luck and Match Game which all premiere on September 24. These are all unscripted game shows which tend to do well on the network.
The new season of The Bachelorette will premiere on Tuesday, October 13 while Shark Tank returns with new episodes on Friday, October 16. Sunday nights will see the start of Supermarket Sweep, hosted by SNL star, Leslie Jones. That show will launch on October 18. As for Wednesday nights, which was home to scripted shows like The Goldbergs, The Conners, black-ish, American Housewife, and Stumptown remain a question mark as the network makes final programming decisions for the night.
As for scripted programming, it is tentatively off the fall schedule but there are hints that some of them could return in October. Karey Burke, president, ABC Entertainment, had this to say about the schedule:
“We’re fortunate to have such a strong unscripted slate to launch our first wave of programming this fall. Presenting the new Supermarket Sweep with Leslie Jones alongside fresh, original episodes of returning shows that viewers have come to know and love is invigorating. And with our scripted series ramping up production, we look forward to announcing more premiere dates very soon.”
Check out the full ABC fall schedule below:
Here’s ABC’s unscripted fall schedule.
Monday September 14
8-10PM – Dancing with the Stars
Thursday September 24
8-9PM – Celebrity Family Feud
9-10PM – Press Your Luck
10-11PM – Match Game
Tuesday October 13
8-10PM – The Bachelorette
Friday October 16
8-9PM – Shark Tank
Sunday October 18
7-8PM – America’s Funniest Home Videos
8-9PM – Supermarket Sweep
9-10PM – Who Wants To Be A Millionaire
10-11PM – Card Sharks
