If you’ve been sitting on your couch on Friday nights recently, staring at your TV and wondering where the heck Kevin O’Leary went, you aren’t alone. The schedule has been a total mess lately. Honestly, even the most hardcore fans are getting a bit annoyed with the "wait-and-see" game ABC is playing this year.
When does Shark Tank return? Well, it’s already back for Season 17, but it’s not where you expect it to be. The biggest mistake people are making is checking their DVRs on Friday nights. That era is basically over.
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The Wednesday Night Pivot Nobody Saw Coming
For over a decade, Friday was the night for the Tank. It was a ritual. You’d grab a drink, watch some entrepreneurs get shredded, and maybe buy a sponge that looks like a smiley face. But in a massive programming shakeup, ABC moved the show to Wednesdays at 10/9c.
This isn't just a temporary shift. It’s a permanent strategy to fill that late-night midweek slot. If you’re looking for new episodes in early 2026, here is the current breakdown of what’s hitting the airwaves:
- January 21, 2026: Alexis Ohanian returns. Look out for a "no-swipe" dating app pitch that actually gets the Sharks talking about the "wild" side of modern romance.
- January 28, 2026: This one is a big deal because Chip and Joanna Gaines are back. They’re looking at a dorm bed extender—kinda niche, but perfect for the Magnolia brand.
- February 2026: While the specific dates for the back half of the season are still being finalized by the network, expect a short hiatus for mid-season premieres of other shows before the "Spring Surge" begins in March.
The 10:00 PM slot is a bit of a gamble. It’s late. You’ve probably got work the next morning. But ABC is betting that the Shark Tank audience is loyal enough to follow them into the double-digit hour.
The Mark Cuban Sized Hole in the Room
We have to talk about the elephant—or the Shark—not in the room. Mark Cuban is gone. After 15 seasons, he officially walked away in May 2025. Watching Season 17 without him feels a bit like watching a band without their lead guitarist.
Daniel Lubetzky, the KIND bar founder, has stepped into a regular seat to fill the void. He’s much more "kind" (pun intended) than Cuban was, which changes the dynamic. It’s less of a brawl and more of a mentorship session lately. Some fans hate it. Some find it refreshing.
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To keep things spicy, the show is leaning heavily on guest Sharks this season. We aren't just getting the regulars. Michael Strahan has already made appearances this month, and we’ve seen names like Kendra Scott and Fawn Weaver popping up to keep the energy high.
Why the 2026 Schedule Feels So Weird
If you feel like you’re missing episodes, it’s because the release cadence has been "staccato," to put it lightly.
The show took a huge break in December 2025 for holiday specials. Then it came back on January 7, 2026, with that Michael Strahan episode involving a "portable relief bottle" (yes, a pee bottle, essentially). Because of the move to Wednesdays, the show is now competing with late-night news and different demographics. This means if a major news event or a sports special happens, Shark Tank is the first thing to get bumped.
What to Expect if You're Pitching (or Just Watching)
If you're an entrepreneur asking when does Shark Tank return because you want to be on it, the casting cycle for Season 18 is actually starting right now. Typically, they hold open calls in the spring.
For viewers, the rest of Season 17 is focusing on "solutions for the modern home." We’re seeing a lot of AI-integrated tools, which Kevin O'Leary usually hates unless the margins are over 40%, and a massive influx of "pet-tech."
Pro Tip: If you miss the Wednesday night broadcast, don’t bother waiting for a rerun. New episodes drop on Hulu the very next morning (Thursday). It’s actually the best way to watch because you can skip the ten minutes of "Coming Up" teasers that take up half the airtime.
The Bottom Line for 2026
The show isn't cancelled. It isn't dying. It’s just moved.
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Check your local listings for Wednesday nights at 10:00 PM EST. If the TV says "Local Programming" or a news special, check back the following week. The network is currently committed to a 22-episode order for Season 17, which should carry us through May 2026.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Update your DVR: Delete your old Friday night "Series Recording" and set a new one for Wednesdays at 10/9c on ABC.
- Check Hulu on Thursdays: If your local affiliate preempts the show for weather or news, the streaming version is usually live by 3:00 AM PT.
- Follow the "Shark Tank Blog": For the most granular updates on specific episode products, it’s still the gold standard for knowing exactly which businesses will appear 48 hours before the show airs.