If you’re sitting on your couch on a Friday night wondering why you’re seeing a local news rerun or a sitcom instead of Kevin O’Leary’s bald head, you aren't alone. Honestly, the most frustrating part of being a fan of this show is the "where is it?" game we have to play every few months.
For over a decade, we all knew the drill. Friday night. 8:00 PM. ABC. It was the "Shark Tank" ritual. But as of late 2025 and moving into early 2026, things have gotten... weird.
Basically, if you want to know what time shark tank come on right now, the answer isn't as simple as it used to be. The show has officially ditched its "TGIF" roots for a midweek slot that has left half the fanbase checking their DVRs in a panic.
The New 2026 Schedule: When to Actually Watch
Here is the deal: Shark Tank Season 17 is currently airing on Wednesdays at 10:02 PM EST/PST on ABC.
Yes, you read that right. 10:00 PM. On a Wednesday.
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It's a massive shift from the family-friendly 8:00 PM slot we grew up with. Why did they do it? Network executives seem to be chasing a more "adult" night-owl demographic, or perhaps they're just trying to breathe new life into a show that's been on the air since 2009. Either way, it means staying up a bit later if you want to catch the deals as they happen.
The show usually wraps up right around 11:00 PM, just in time for the late-night news. If you’re in the Central or Mountain time zones, you’re looking at 9:02 PM CST. It’s a bit more manageable, but it’s still a far cry from the old days.
Why the 10:02 PM Start Time?
You might notice that weird "02" at the end of the start time. This isn't a glitch. Networks like ABC often pad the preceding show—in this case, often a high-performing drama or comedy block—to keep you glued to the screen.
It’s a classic "lead-in" tactic. If they can get you to finish that last scene of the previous show, you’re 80% more likely to stick around and watch a guy pitch a revolutionary new cat litter.
Is it Still on Fridays? (The Rebroadcast Confusion)
This is where people get tripped up. While the new episodes are hitting the airwaves on Wednesdays, ABC has been experimenting with Saturday night rebroadcasts.
Usually, these pop up around 8:00 PM or 9:00 PM EST on Saturdays.
If you stumble across the show on a weekend, don't get too excited—it's almost certainly a repeat of an episode that aired a few days (or months) prior. It's great for background noise while you're folding laundry, but if you're looking for the fresh drama and those "I'm out" moments, Wednesday is your only real bet for live TV.
Streaming: The "Morning After" Ritual
If you’re like me and can’t handle a 10:00 PM start time on a work night, streaming is the savior.
Hulu remains the exclusive streaming home for Season 17. New episodes typically drop at 3:00 AM EST / 12:00 AM PST on Thursday mornings.
- Live TV Substitutes: If you’ve cut the cord but still want to watch "live," services like YouTube TV, FuboTV, and Hulu + Live TV carry the ABC feed.
- The "Two-Week" Rule: Keep in mind that on the standard Hulu plan, episodes sometimes only stay up for a limited window before rotating out. Don't let them sit in your queue for three months and expect them to still be there.
Who is Even in the Tank Anymore?
Knowing what time shark tank come on is only half the battle. You also have to know who you're actually watching.
2026 is a weird year for the cast. Mark Cuban officially announced his departure from the show after 15 seasons, which feels like the end of an era. It’s kinda like watching the Bulls without Jordan.
To fill that massive vacuum, the show has leaned heavily into guest sharks. This season, we’ve seen:
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- Michael Strahan: Bringing that NFL energy and some surprisingly sharp retail insights.
- Chip and Joanna Gaines: The Fixer Upper duo made their debut, focusing on lifestyle and home goods.
- Alexis Ohanian: The Reddit co-founder, who usually sniffs out the tech plays.
The "OG" sharks—Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner, Robert Herjavec, Daymond John, and Kevin O'Leary—still rotate in and out, but the panel feels more eclectic than ever.
Breaking Down the "Hiatus" Problem
If you tune in on a Wednesday at 10:02 PM and find another show, don't throw your remote. Shark Tank is notorious for "skip weeks."
Because the crew films the entire season in two short "marathon" sessions during the summer, they have to stretch those 22-25 episodes to cover the whole broadcast year. This means they often take breaks for:
- Holiday Specials: They love a good Christmas or Hanukkah themed episode in December, then they often disappear until mid-January.
- Major Sporting Events: If there’s a big NBA game or a political event, the Sharks get benched.
- The "Winter Gap": We saw a huge gap between the December 10, 2025 holiday episode and the January 7, 2026 return.
Actionable Steps for the Super-Fan
If you're tired of missing out because the schedule is more volatile than a crypto startup, here is what you should actually do:
- Set a "Series Recording" on your DVR: Don't just set it for a specific time. Set it to "New Episodes Only" on ABC. This handles the Wednesday shift automatically.
- Check the ABC Press Site: If you really want to be ahead of the curve, the ABC Press Room posts the exact air dates and "loglines" (episode summaries) about two weeks in advance.
- Follow the Sharks on X/Twitter: Specifically, Kevin O'Leary and Lori Greiner. They are the most active and usually post "Tune in tonight!" reminders about an hour before the show starts.
- Use the "Watch ABC" App: If you have a cable login, you can watch live from your phone if you're stuck at a kid's soccer practice or a late meeting.
Stop relying on your memory of the 2015 schedule. The world has moved on, and so has the Tank. Adjust your clocks to 10:02 PM on Wednesdays, or just accept that Thursday morning on Hulu is the new "Shark Tank" night.
Either way, the deals are still happening, even if the timing is a bit more chaotic than it used to be.