When Is The Golden Bachelor On TV: Why the Schedule Shift Matters

Finding out when is the golden bachelor on tv used to be a lot simpler back when Gerry Turner was the one handing out roses to a group of women who actually knew how to use a rotary phone. But things have changed. If you’ve been clicking around your remote recently wondering where the silver-haired romance went, you aren't alone.

Television schedules in 2026 are a bit of a moving target.

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Honestly, the way ABC handles these shows is kinda like a chess match. They move pieces around to see what sticks against football or the latest procedurals. The second season of The Golden Bachelor, featuring the 66-year-old retired NFL linebacker and lawyer Mel Owens, officially wrapped up its primary run on November 12, 2025.

If you're looking for it right this second on your local ABC affiliate, you’re likely seeing a gap in the schedule.

The Wednesday Night Reality Shift

For Season 2, ABC moved the show to Wednesday nights at 9:00 PM ET. This was a pretty big departure from the Thursday night slot that the original season occupied. Why the change? Basically, the network wanted a powerhouse mid-week lineup to compete with streaming giants. They paired it with Abbott Elementary and the new Tim Allen sitcom Shifting Gears.

It worked. Sorta.

Ratings for Mel’s season stayed steady, even if they didn't quite hit the fever pitch of the Gerry and Theresa saga. People really connected with the final choice, Peg Munson. Unlike the first season which ended in a "Golden Wedding" and a very fast divorce, Mel and Peg opted for a promise ring and a more private approach to their relationship.

Where can you find it now?

Since the live broadcast cycle ended in late 2025, the show has moved almost entirely to digital platforms. You won't find new episodes on your TV antenna right now.

1. Hulu: This is the primary home for the entire franchise. All nine episodes of Mel Owens’ journey are currently available for streaming.
2. Disney+: If you have the bundle, you can access the episodes through the Hulu tile on the Disney+ app.
3. ABC.com: You can usually find the most recent episodes here, but you’ll likely need a cable provider login to get past the "lock" icon.

When Is The Golden Bachelor On TV for Season 3?

We are currently in a waiting period. ABC has been tight-lipped about a third season for 2026, largely because they are currently prioritizing the flagship series. The Bachelorette Season 22, starring Taylor Frankie Paul, is the next big thing on the horizon with a premiere set for March 22, 2026.

This creates a bit of a bottleneck.

Usually, the "Golden" series films in the summer—June to August—and then hits your TV screen in late September. If the pattern holds, you should expect to see the next iteration of when is the golden bachelor on tv around September 2026.

Why the wait feels longer this time

The production cycle for these shows is grueling. Jesse Palmer is basically the hardest-working man in show business, bouncing between the regular Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and the Golden spin-offs. There's also Bachelor in Paradise Season 10 to consider, which is slated to return in late 2025/early 2026 after a brief hiatus.

Networks are also navigating a very weird economic landscape for broadcast TV. Scripts are expensive, but reality TV is relatively cheap. However, the "Golden" demographic—the actual viewers—is the most loyal group left on traditional television. ABC knows they can't leave this audience hanging for too long.

Common Schedule Misconceptions

One thing people get wrong all the time is assuming the show stays in the same 8:00 PM slot. For Mel’s season, the premiere actually started at 8:00 PM as a special two-hour event, but then it settled into that 9:00 PM slot for the rest of the run. If you tuned in at 8:00 PM every week, you were probably watching Janine Teagues and the rest of the Abbott crew.

Another big confusion involves the spinoffs.

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People often ask "When is the golden bachelor on tv?" when they actually mean The Golden Bachelorette. Joan Vassos led the first season of that show, and while it shares the same DNA, the filming and airing schedules are slightly offset. It's confusing. We get it.

The Mel Owens Factor

Mel’s season was different. Being a former NFL player, he brought a different kind of energy to the screen. He wasn't the "aw-shucks" grandfather figure Gerry was. He was more of a career-focused, high-energy guy who happened to be over sixty. This changed the tone of the show. It felt less like a retirement home mixer and more like a high-stakes romance novel.

His choice of Peg Munson, a former firefighter from Las Vegas, was a major hit with fans. They represent a more "active" version of aging that the show is trying to lean into.

Actionable Steps for Fans

If you're desperate to stay in the loop and don't want to miss the next premiere announcement, here is what you should actually do:

• Set a Google Alert: Use the phrase "The Golden Bachelor Season 3 premiere date." You'll get an email the second a press release hits the wire.
• Check the ABC Fall Schedule in May: This is when "Upfronts" happen. The networks announce their entire yearly plan to advertisers in mid-May. If The Golden Bachelor is coming back in September 2026, we will know for sure by May 15th.
• Follow Jesse Palmer on Instagram: He’s usually the first one to post a "back to work" photo from the Bachelor mansion. If you see him standing in front of that iconic pool with a bunch of older men or women behind him in June, you know the show is about three months away.

Television is changing, but the desire for a good love story isn't. Keep an eye on those Wednesday night slots as we move into the latter half of 2026.