Honestly, trying to keep up with the Shannon family schedule feels a bit like trying to herd cats in a hurricane. One minute they’re off the air dealing with some heavy-duty personal stuff, and the next, cameras are rolling while someone is dropping a bombshell about a divorce or a secret move. If you've been wondering when is mama june coming back on, the answer finally has a date attached to it.
WE tv just pulled the curtain back on the 2026 schedule. Mark your calendars for March 2026.
The network released a sneak peek on January 16, 2026, confirming that the long-running reality circus is returning to its usual Friday night slot. It’s been a minute. Fans have been scouring social media for clues ever since the emotional rollercoaster of 2025, and it looks like the production crew has been busy capturing what might be the most fractured season yet.
The 2026 Premiere: What We Actually Know
You’ve probably seen the clickbait. It’s everywhere. People claiming the show was canceled or that Honey Boo Boo quit for good. Not true. The reality is that WE tv isn’t about to let go of its biggest ratings driver.
✨ Don't miss: Melania Trump Wedding Photos: What Most People Get Wrong
The new season is officially slated for March 2026. While an exact day in March hasn't been pinned to the wall, the show traditionally favors the 9/8c or 8/7c time slot on Fridays. It will be streaming on the new All Reality service—AMC Networks’ latest push into the reality-only streaming space—alongside WE tv and AMC+.
Why the wait? Production sources suggest the family needed a "breather" after the heavy toll of the 2025 season, which focused heavily on the aftermath of Anna "Chickadee" Cardwell's passing and the subsequent custody battles.
Divorce, New Boyfriends, and Nursing School
If you thought the drama peaked with June’s wedding, you’re in for a reality check. This upcoming season is leaning hard into the "Crisis" part of the Family Crisis title.
🔗 Read more: Erika Kirk Married Before: What Really Happened With the Rumors
Basically, the "main" storyline is the fallout of Lauryn "Pumpkin" Efird’s marriage. After years of being the rock for her sisters, Pumpkin and Josh are navigating a messy split. The sneak peek confirms Pumpkin has a new boyfriend named Darrin, while Josh has apparently moved on with a "new addition" of his own. It’s messy. It’s loud. It’s exactly what the fans expect.
- Jessica "Chubbs" Shannon: She’s planning a wedding with Shyann, but the drama isn't coming from the guest list. It’s coming from June and Shyann’s mother, Trina, who are reportedly "butting heads on just about everything."
- Alana "Honey Boo Boo" Thompson: She’s still out in Colorado. She’s grinding through nursing school, which is a huge pivot from her child-pageant days, but she’s also dealing with the emotional weight of Pumpkin and Josh’s divorce from a distance.
- Mama June: She’s still in the middle of the storm. Between fighting for custody of Kaitlyn and trying to play peacemaker (often unsuccessfully) with her adult daughters, June is struggling to keep her own marriage to Justin Stroud from cracking under the pressure.
Why the Delay Happened
A lot of people think reality shows film and air in a few weeks. That’s a myth. For the Shannon family, the "lag time" between filming and airing is usually about six to eight months. The 2025 season wrapped up with some pretty raw footage, and the family reportedly asked for more "off-camera" time to deal with the custody hearing regarding Kaitlyn.
Legal experts noted that the custody battle over Anna’s daughter was particularly sensitive. Filming in courtrooms or around minors in a legal dispute requires a mountain of paperwork and permissions.
💡 You might also like: Bobbie Gentry Today Photo: Why You Won't Find One (And Why That Matters)
Where to Watch When It Drops
When March rolls around, you won't have to go hunting.
- WE tv: The traditional home. Friday nights.
- All Reality: This is the new streaming platform from AMC Networks. It’s basically a hub for Love After Lockup, The Braxtons, and Mama June.
- AMC+ & ALLBLK: These will likely carry the episodes the day after they air on cable.
The "human" side of this show is what keeps people coming back. It isn't just about the "glam" of reality TV—because, let's be real, there isn't much glam here. It’s about a family that is deeply, sometimes painfully, relatable in their dysfunction. Whether you love them or love to judge them, the Shannons are a staple of the Friday night routine.
If you’re looking to catch up before the March premiere, the best bet is to binge the 2025 episodes on AMC+. You’ll want to be refreshed on the "money drama" between Alana and June, as that $30,000 Coogan account dispute is almost certainly going to resurface in the new episodes.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on the official WE tv social media pages in mid-February. That’s usually when they drop the full-length trailer that breaks down the specific Friday premiere date. For now, just know that the cameras are still rolling, the drama is still brewing, and June Shannon isn't going anywhere yet.
Your Next Steps
- Download the All Reality app: If you've cut the cord, this will be your primary way to watch the new season in 2026.
- Check WE tv’s schedule in late February: This is when the "Countdown to Mama" marathons usually start, which is a great way to refresh on the chaotic timeline.
- Follow the "real" accounts: Stick to Pumpkin and Alana’s verified Instagram profiles for actual life updates, as they often post "behind-the-scenes" snippets that don't make the final edit.