Summer is basically over once you see that first Spirit Halloween pop up in a dead mall, but for anyone who actually likes their couch, the real "new year" starts with the fall 2025 tv premiere dates. Honestly, it's a lot to keep track of this time around. We aren't just talking about your usual procedural re-runs; 2025 is shaping up to be the year of the "Universe Expansion." If you aren't watching a spin-off, are you even watching TV?
I’ve been digging through the network grids and the streaming calendars, and things are looking crowded. CBS is leaning incredibly hard into its established brands, while NBC is playing a game of musical chairs with its comedy blocks. If you’re trying to plan your DVR or just figure out when you need to re-up your Paramount+ or Peacock subscriptions, here’s the actual dirt on what’s landing and when.
The Big Broadcast Kickoff: September’s Heavy Hitters
Everything sort of explodes the week of September 22nd. That’s the traditional "Premiere Week," but a few overachievers are getting out of the gate early.
ABC is leading the charge with Dancing With the Stars Season 34, which shimmy-shakes its way onto the screen on Tuesday, September 16. They’re pairing it with the Season 2 premiere of High Potential at 10 p.m., which is a smart move considering how well that show performed in its freshman run. Then, things get messy in the best way possible on Wednesday, September 24. We get a two-hour premiere of The Golden Bachelor featuring Mel Owens. If you’re a fan of Survivor, mark the same night. CBS is dropping Survivor 49 with a two-hour special at 8 p.m. It’s a brutal head-to-head for reality fans.
NBC isn't sitting on the sidelines either. The Voice returns for Season 28 on Monday, September 22. This season is a bit of a big deal because Carson Daly is getting a new "Carson Callback" power—essentially letting him save singers who fall through the cracks. It’s followed immediately by Brilliant Minds Season 2 at 10 p.m.
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The Wednesday Night War
Wednesday, October 1 is going to be a nightmare for anyone without a multi-tuner DVR.
- NBC is dropping the "One Chicago" trifecta: Chicago Med (Season 11), Chicago Fire (Season 14), and Chicago P.D. (Season 13).
- ABC is countering with the Season 5 premiere of Abbott Elementary at 8:30 p.m. and the Season 2 premiere of the Tim Allen-led Shifting Gears at 8 p.m.
- CBS is sliding The Amazing Race into its regular 9:30 p.m. slot that same night.
Why Fall 2025 TV Premiere Dates Look Different for CBS
CBS is doing something they call "Premiere Week" starting October 12, which is actually a bit later than the other guys. They’re doing these "sneak peeks" on Sunday nights before moving shows to their regular homes. For example, Matlock Season 2 and Elsbeth Season 3 both get a Sunday night spotlight on October 12 before they settle into their permanent Thursday night residences on October 16.
The most interesting thing about the CBS schedule is the "All-NCIS Tuesday." On October 14, you get the flagship NCIS at 8 p.m., followed by the prequel NCIS: Origins at 9 p.m., and then NCIS: Sydney at 10 p.m. It’s a lot of naval investigation for one evening, but clearly, the data says we want it.
They’re also doing a massive Friday night expansion. Fire Country is basically taking over the world. Season 4 premieres Friday, October 17, and it’s bringing the new spin-off Sheriff Country with it. To cap off the night, we get Boston Blue, which is the highly-anticipated Blue Bloods offshoot starring Donnie Wahlberg. It’s basically the "Danny Reagan Show," and it’s taking the 10 p.m. slot that Blue Bloods occupied for over a decade.
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Streaming vs. Linear: The October Squeeze
While the networks are fighting for your antenna, the streamers are dropping some of the year's biggest projects. Netflix is leaning into the "spooky" vibes, but also some heavy-duty drama.
- October 1: Love Is Blind Season 9 hits Netflix.
- October 3: The next installment of the Monster anthology, The Ed Gein Story, arrives. Expect this to be all anyone talks about on social media for three days.
- October 16: The Diplomat Season 3. Keri Russell is back, and honestly, this is one of the smartest shows on TV right now.
- October 23: Nobody Wants This Season 2.
Over on Disney+, the Wizards of Waverly Place sequel/spin-off Wizards Beyond Waverly Place is having a "Halloween Spirit" special on October 8. But the real heavy hitter for sci-fi fans is Star Wars: Visions Volume 3, which lands on October 29.
The November Latecomers
Some shows are waiting until the leaves are actually on the ground to show up. NBC is holding its big comedy block until November 3, when St. Denis Medical Season 2 and the Reba McEntire sitcom Happy’s Place (Season 2) return.
Apple TV+ is also dropping a potential awards-contender on November 7 called Pluribus. It’s a sci-fi mystery from Vince Gilligan (the Breaking Bad guy) and stars Rhea Seehorn. If you liked Better Call Saul, this is probably your most anticipated date of the whole season.
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Actionable Tips for Navigating the Fall Schedule
Basically, you need a plan. The days of just "flipping channels" are dead.
First, check your subscription status. If you’re a fan of the FBI franchise or NCIS, you’ll want Paramount+ with Showtime if you want to watch live or next-day without a cord. If you're a "One Chicago" or Law & Order person, Peacock is your best friend.
Second, use the "Sneak Peek" trap. Don't be fooled by those Sunday night airings on CBS. Set your series recordings for the regular time slots (Thursdays for Matlock and Elsbeth) or you’re going to miss episode two.
Finally, watch the spin-offs. Networks are putting their biggest budgets into things like 9-1-1: Nashville (premiering October 9 on ABC) and Sheriff Country. These are designed to be the "anchors" for the next five years, so expect high production value and plenty of crossovers with the parent shows.
Keep an eye on mid-season announcements as well. While we have the fall 2025 tv premiere dates mostly locked in, shows like The Last of Us Season 2 and Daredevil: Born Again are looming in early 2026, and their marketing campaigns will start hitting during these October football games. Clear your calendar now, because once September 22 hits, your Tuesday nights belong to the detectives and your Wednesdays belong to the first responders.
To stay ahead of the curve, make sure you've updated your streaming apps by mid-September so you aren't fighting with a "System Update" screen ten minutes before The Voice starts.