ABC Midseason: 'High Potential' Returns in January

ABC confirmed the air dates for its midseason television lineup on Thursday. The schedule opens on Tuesday, January 5, and includes the third season of the crime drama High Potential. The network also announced a new unscripted series titled Surviving a Scandal, which will premiere at 10 p.m. that same night.

High Potential is positioned as a lead-in program for the new series. The show was the top-rated drama among adults aged 18 to 49 during the 2025-2026 broadcast season. It will air at 9 p.m. on the Tuesday, January 5, block, following the fifth season premiere of Will Trent at 8 p.m.

Surviving a Scandal is a docuseries produced by Glass Entertainment for ABC News Studios. The program examines the long-term effects of public scrutiny on individuals whose private lives became the subject of tabloid coverage. Executive producers for the series include Jon Hirsch, Nancy Glass, David Sloan, and Muriel Pearson.

The official description for the new series references figures such as Milli Vanilli, Octomom, and Joey Buttafuoco. It explores how one event can change the trajectory of a person's life when their identity becomes synonymous with scandal. The series will look at both those thrust into the spotlight for their own actions and those affected by proximity to foul play.

Viewers can also expect a special episode of High Potential to air immediately after Super Bowl LXI. The network previously announced that this special will be set on Valentine's Day. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, at 6:30 p.m. ET.

The Wednesday, January 6, block features a two-episode premiere of Shifting Gears at 8 p.m. This is followed by the ninth season of The Rookie at 9 p.m. The Rookie is the longest-running current series on the ABC schedule. It will be followed by the debut of The Rookie: North, a spinoff led by Jay Ellis, at 10 p.m.

Midweek returns are scheduled for Thursday, January 7. The 9-1-1 franchise will resume with the tenth season at 8 p.m. and the second season of 9-1-1: Nashville at 9 p.m. Grey's Anatomy will return at 10 p.m. for its 23rd season. Abbott Elementary will return for its sixth season on Wednesday, January 13, at 8:31 p.m. ET.

Game shows and variety programming are scheduled for late January and early February. Celebrity Jeopardy! will return for its fifth season on Friday, January 29, at 8 p.m. An anniversary special for American Idol will air on Monday, February 1, at 8 p.m. The 25th season of American Idol premieres on Monday, February 8, at 8 p.m.

The reality dating franchise The Bachelor is set to begin its 30th season on Sunday, March 21, at 8:01 p.m. ET. This will be the first entry in the franchise since the summer 2025 season of Bachelor in Paradise. The season follows a period of controversy involving allegations of domestic violence between The Bachelorette star Taylor Frankie Paul and her ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen. What Would You Do? will follow The Bachelor at 10:01 p.m. for its 18th season.