The leaves are finally dropping and honestly, the TV landscape is looking a little crowded. If you feel like your watchlist is already bursting at the seams, I have some bad news: it’s about to get way worse. Between the major networks trying to resurrect the 90s procedural and streamers like Netflix and Apple TV+ pouring billions into sci-fi epics, the new tv programs this fall are basically a giant game of "who has the biggest budget."
We aren't just looking at a few new sitcoms and a gritty crime drama or two. We’re seeing a massive pivot in how shows are being made.
It's kinda wild to think that we’re currently in the middle of January 2026, looking back at the shows that just launched and the ones hitting our screens right now. If you missed the initial wave of new tv programs this fall (the 2025 season), you've got some catching up to do.
The Procedural Pivot: Why Networks Are Playing It Safe
Lately, it feels like every channel is just a different version of a police precinct. CBS, in particular, is leaning so hard into its existing "universes" that it’s almost impressive. You’ve probably heard of Blue Bloods, right? Well, Donnie Wahlberg isn't hanging up the badge just yet.
One of the big breakouts among the new tv programs this fall was Boston Blue. It’s a spinoff where Danny Reagan moves to Boston. He’s got a new partner, Lena Silver, played by Sonequa Martin-Green. It’s exactly what you’d expect—tough talk, family dinners (though maybe with more clam chowder), and a lot of "Boston grit." It’s already been renewed, which tells you everything you need to know about what people are actually watching when they want to turn their brains off.
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Then there's Sheriff Country. If you liked Fire Country, you’re the target audience here. It’s Morena Baccarin playing Mickey Fox. It's safe. It's predictable. And honestly? It’s exactly what a lot of people want after a long day.
The Streaming Giants Go Big (and Weird)
While NBC and CBS are busy building precincts, the streamers are getting weird. Really weird.
Take Vince Gilligan’s new project on Apple TV+, Pluribus. People were expecting Breaking Bad in space, but what we got was Rhea Seehorn playing the "unhappiest person on Earth" who has to save the world from—wait for it—happiness. It’s sci-fi, it’s social commentary, and it’s arguably the most original thing among the new tv programs this fall.
The Big Budget Gambles
- Alien: Earth (FX/Hulu): Noah Hawley (the guy who did Fargo) taking on the Xenomorph. It’s set on Earth about 30 years before the original movie. It’s tense. It’s expensive. And it actually manages to make the aliens scary again by focusing on the corporate horror of Weyland-Yutani.
- IT: Welcome to Derry (HBO): This is the prequel to the Pennywise movies. Set in the 60s, it’s basically a coming-of-age horror story. If you’re into kids on bikes being terrified by a shape-shifting clown, this is your peak TV.
- Task (HBO): Mark Ruffalo as an FBI agent in Philly. It’s from the writer of Mare of Easttown, so expect a lot of gray skies, complicated family dynamics, and a mystery that actually feels like it matters.
The Office Spinoff Nobody Asked For (But Everyone Is Watching)
Peacock decided to go back to the well with The Paper. It’s not a reboot of The Office, but it’s a "spiritual successor" set in a dying newspaper office in Toledo.
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Domhnall Gleeson is the lead. It’s a mockumentary. It has the same DNA, but it feels a lot more cynical. Is it as good as the original? Probably not. But in the sea of new tv programs this fall, it’s one of the few comedies that actually makes you laugh-cry about the state of the world.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Season
There’s this idea that "prestige TV" is dead because everyone is just making spinoffs.
That’s a bit of a reach.
Yes, we have 9-1-1: Nashville and NCIS: Tony & Ziva, but we also have Death by Lightning on Netflix. It’s a historical drama about the assassination of President James Garfield. Michael Shannon plays Garfield, and Matthew Macfadyen plays his assassin. It’s fast-paced, weirdly funny in a dark way, and proves that you can still make smart TV if you have the right cast.
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Also, don't sleep on the "Carson Callback." The Voice changed its rules this fall, giving Carson Daly actual power to save contestants. It’s a small tweak, but it changed the vibe of the whole show.
A Quick Look at the Numbers (The Prose Version)
If you're wondering who’s winning the ratings war, it’s still the NFL. Sunday Night Football on NBC is entering its 20th season and remains the most-watched thing on the planet. Behind that, you’ve got the procedural juggernauts. Matlock—the new one with Kathy Bates—is doing huge numbers for CBS. It turns out people really love watching a brilliant older woman outsmart everyone in a courtroom.
On the streaming side, Netflix is still the king of "the binge." Stranger Things Season 5 started its rollout this fall, and it basically broke the internet. Again.
Actionable Insights for Your Watchlist
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by all these new tv programs this fall, here is how to actually manage your time without becoming a total recluse:
- Audit your subscriptions. You don't need all of them. If you’re only watching Pluribus, get Apple TV+ for a month, binge it, and then cancel.
- Follow the showrunners, not the actors. A show with a great cast but a mediocre writer will almost always fail. Look for names like Noah Hawley, Vince Gilligan, or Brad Ingelsby.
- Give a show three episodes. The "pilot" is often the weakest episode because it has to do so much heavy lifting. If you aren't hooked by episode three, walk away. There is too much good TV to waste time on "okay" TV.
- Check the mid-season replacements. Some of the best new tv programs this fall actually didn't start until November or December, like St. Denis Medical on NBC.
The reality is that "Fall TV" isn't a three-month window anymore; it's a year-round barrage of content. The 2025-2026 season is defined by a mix of comfort food (the procedurals) and high-concept risks. Whether you want to watch a detective in Boston or a sci-fi mystery about the end of unhappiness, you’ve got options. Just make sure you remember to occasionally go outside.
Your Next Step
Go to your streaming app of choice and look for Pluribus or Task. These are the two shows defining the "prestige" side of the new tv programs this fall and will likely be the ones everyone is talking about during Emmy season. If you prefer something lighter, The Paper on Peacock is your best bet for a quick binge.