You’re staring at the screen, it’s 3:00 PM on a Tuesday, and you’re wondering why General Hospital isn't on yet or if you missed the noon news. It happens. Navigating the abc 7 ny schedule (that’s WABC-TV for the sticklers) feels like trying to read a subway map during rush hour—everything is moving, and if you blink, you’re looking at a syndicated rerun of Tamron Hall instead of the local breaking news you actually wanted.
Honestly, WABC is a beast. It’s the most-watched local station in the entire country. Because of that, their schedule is packed tighter than a 4-train at 8:30 AM. People get frustrated because they expect a static grid, but between the midseason premieres of 2026 and the constant "Special Reports," things shift.
The Weekday Grind: When to Catch Your Favorites
If you're looking for the heart of the abc 7 ny schedule, it’s the weekday block. It’s remarkably consistent until it isn't. The morning starts way earlier than most of us want to be awake. Eyewitness News kicks off at 4:30 AM. It’s that familiar comfort of Sam Champion and the team telling you it’s going to rain before you’ve even had coffee.
Then comes the big pivot. At 7:00 AM, the station hands the keys over to the network for Good Morning America. But don’t get it twisted—even though it’s national, WABC sticks their local news cut-ins every half hour.
The Mid-Morning and Afternoon Shuffle
Once GMA wraps at 9:00 AM, we hit the syndicated hours. This is where most people lose the thread. For 2026, Live with Kelly and Mark still holds that 9:00 AM slot. It’s a New York institution. Following that, you usually see a mix of The View at 11:00 AM and then the midday news at noon.
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Here is a basic look at how the afternoon usually flows:
- 1:00 PM: GMA3: What You Need to Know. It’s sort of a news-meets-lifestyle hybrid that people either love or use as background noise while eating lunch.
- 2:00 PM: General Hospital. The legends. It’s been here forever, and in early 2026, the drama at Port Charles is still the anchor of the early afternoon.
- 3:00 PM: This is a "flex" hour. Sometimes it's Tamron Hall, sometimes it’s local programming.
- 4:00 PM - 6:30 PM: The "Big News" block. WABC pours everything into this. It’s 90 minutes of local Eyewitness News followed by David Muir at 6:30 PM.
Why 2026 is Shaking Up the abc 7 ny schedule
If you haven't checked the abc 7 ny schedule lately, you might have missed some of the bigger 2026 shifts. ABC went heavy on scripted dramas this winter. Tuesdays are now a "Procedural Powerhouse." We’re talking Will Trent at 8:00 PM, followed by High Potential (which has become a surprise ratings monster), and then The Rookie closing out at 10:00 PM.
Thursday is the other "Must Watch" night. The addition of 9-1-1: Nashville following the original 9-1-1 has created a back-to-back emergency drama block that leads right into Grey’s Anatomy at 10:00 PM. Yes, Grey's is still on. It’s in Season 22 now. It might actually outlive us all.
The Return of a Legend
The thing everyone is actually texting about? The Scrubs revival. It’s set to premiere on Wednesday, February 25, 2026. Because it's a "prestige" revival for the network, expect the Wednesday night schedule to look a little different around then. Usually, Wednesdays are anchored by Abbott Elementary, but ABC is likely to pair them up for a comedy block that’ll have everyone talking at the water cooler (or the Slack channel).
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Weekends: Sports and "This Week"
Weekends on Channel 7 are a totally different vibe. Saturday mornings are for the kids and local public interest shows, but the afternoons? That’s for the sports fans. In January 2026, the abc 7 ny schedule is dominated by the "Path to the College Football Playoff" and various NFL postseason countdowns.
Sundays are more "serious."
- This Week with George Stephanopoulos at 10:00 AM.
- Local news cut-ins.
- Huge blocks of sports, usually NFL or NBA on ABC.
If you’re looking for America's Funniest Home Videos, it’s still holding down the 7:00 PM Sunday slot. Some things never change, and honestly, watching people trip over cats is the perfect palate cleanser before the Monday morning reality sets in.
Common Misconceptions About the Schedule
A lot of people think the "7" in ABC 7 means everything happens on the hour. It doesn't. Because of how network timing works—and those pesky 35-minute late-night slots for Jimmy Kimmel Live!—the local news often starts at 11:00 PM sharp, but Nightline might not hit your screen until 12:37 AM.
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Another weird quirk? The "Local Programming" tags you see on digital guides. Usually, that’s just code for Eyewitness News or a locally produced special like 7 on the Town. If you see "Local Programming" from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM on a weeknight, it's almost always Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune. WABC has owned those rights in the NY market for decades.
How to Actually Stay Updated
The best way to keep track isn't just a static list. TV listings change based on breaking news. If there’s a major storm in the Hudson Valley or a Midtown fire, Eyewitness News will preempt The Chew (if that were still on) or whatever syndicated show is running.
Check the official ABC7NY website's "Live Chart." It’s the only place that reflects real-time changes when sports games go into overtime or news breaks. Also, if you’re a cord-cutter, the ABC app and Hulu + Live TV generally follow the local NY feed perfectly, so you won't miss the local commercials for personal injury lawyers that we all secretly know by heart.
Actionable Steps for the Viewer
- Set your DVR for "Series" not "Time": With 2026's new shows like 9-1-1: Nashville and the Scrubs revival, set your recording to the show title. This accounts for sports overruns.
- Use the ABC7NY App: Turn on "Breaking News" notifications. This is usually how you'll find out if the 4:00 PM news is starting early or if a special report is bumping your soap opera.
- Check Tuesdays specifically: Since Tuesday is now the heaviest scripted night, it's the one most likely to have "special premiere" timing that might mess with your usual routine.
Knowing the abc 7 ny schedule is basically a survival skill for New Yorkers. Whether you're there for the weather with Lee Goldberg or the latest drama in Shondaland, staying on top of the 2026 changes ensures you aren't the only one at work who didn't see the big twist last night.