Fall 2025’s Returning Shows: Which Will Be Renewed & Canceled?
This fall, there were dozens of fan-favorite shows returning to the big four broadcast networks: ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.
Some were relative newcomers aiming to avoid a sophomore slump; some came in having already been on the bubble, looking for a bounce; a few were solid performers that moved airing nights; and others were perennial procedurals that seem to be permanent fixtures of the fall TV schedule.
In all cases, the future of these shows greatly depends on ratings. How a show performs with audiences is the ultimate make-or-break for any network, so if you’re wondering where your favorite fall returnees are doing and what that might mean for their futures, here’s a look at all of the returning shows in fall 2025 and where they might stand. (And find out about all of the new shows right here.)
This list does not include those shows that have been previously renewed for the 2026-2027 season, including Bob’s Burgers, Family Guy, FBI, The Floor, Ghosts, Krapopolis, The Simpsons, Survivor, and The Voice. It also does not include shows that are ending in their current seasons, like The Neighborhood.
20/20
Premiered: Friday, September 25
Prediction: A staple of ABC for almost 50 years, the primetime news program has brought figures such as Diane Sawyer, Charles Gibson, and Sam Donaldson into our homes to deliver the day’s top stories. Currently anchored by journalists David Muir and Deborah Roberts, it’s hard to imagine primetime without it—though stranger things have happened. As of now, however, there is no indication that the ABC news program is in danger of being canceled.
Average (nine episodes): 0.17 rating, 2.3 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
48 Hours
Premiered: Saturday, September 27
Prediction: TV and 48 Hours go hand-in-hand. Even with some unrest at CBS, it’s likely this show will make yet another comeback.
Average (seven episodes): 0.12 rating, 2.023 million viewers – Amanda Bell
60 Minutes
Premiered: Sunday, September 28
Prediction: Returning. Even though the show has become the center of some political unrest, it’s still a top-tier performer and a television news mainstay.
Average (nine episodes): 0.97 rating, 9.351 million viewers – Amanda Bell
9-1-1
Premiered: Thursday, October 9
Prediction: Even with a non-negligible dropoff of 12% from Season 8, 9-1-1 is still a hot commodity for ABC and will almost certainly come back for another season of first responding fun.
Average (six episodes): 0.33 rating, 3.897 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Abbott Elementary
Premiered: Wednesday, October 1
Prediction: Quinta Brunson’s acclaimed sitcom, which humorously highlights the challenges of the American public school system, saw a slight dip in Season 5, with its average rating slipping from 0.35 to 0.32. Even so, the show’s strong popularity, awards recognition, and Brunson’s established long-term story plans make a Season 6 seem not only possible, but likely.
Average (six episodes): 0.32 rating, 2.6 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
The Amazing Race
Premiered: Thursday, September 25
Prediction: CBS has not confirmed plans for the future of the show yet, but Season 39 was reportedly filmed in the fall of 2025.
The Amazing Race is not on CBS’s winter schedule, so it’s unclear when the episodes will air, but count on this one to return.
Average (nine episodes): 0.26 rating, 2.314 million viewers – Alyssa Norwin
America's Funniest Home Videos
Premiered: Sunday, September 28
Prediction: AFV won’t be going anywhere. While it hasn’t officially been renewed yet, it’s a Sunday night staple on ABC, and will likely continue that way.
Average (eight episodes): 0.28 rating, 3.730 million viewers– Alyssa Norwin
Dancing With the Stars
Premiered: Tuesday, September 16
Prediction: Dancing With the Stars isn’t going anywhere.
While the show has not been officially renewed yet, the ratings were way up this season and consistently increased most weeks. Season 34 premiered with 5.38 million viewers and a 1.06 rating in the 18-49 demo, but ended with 7.221 million viewers and a 1.50 rating.
Average (10 episodes): 1.26 rating, 6.211 million viewers – Alyssa Norwin
Brilliant Minds
Premiered: Monday, September 22
Prediction: This medical drama was already one of NBC’s lowest-rated shows to score a renewal, so unfortunately, we think the even more ailing ratings for Season 2 spell bad news for the show’s future, barring some kind of major viewership turnaround.
Average (nine episodes): 0.15 rating, 2.033 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
Premiered: Friday, September 26
Prediction: Chances are, we’ll see another installment of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
Season 6 ratings were consistent with the last couple of seasons, which bodes well for the game show’s future.
Average (eight episodes): 0.29 rating, 2.741 million viewers – Alyssa Norwin
Chicago Fire
Premiered: Wednesday, October 1
Prediction: Unless the ratings burn out for some reason, NBC’s Chicago Fire will continue to remain strong, along with the other entries in the network’s “One Chicago” franchise. The premiere nabbed 5.3 million viewers in the 18-49 demo with an average audience of 5.1 million for the season, making Season 16 highly probable.
Average (seven episodes): 0.34 rating, 5.08 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
Chicago Med
Premiered: Wednesday, October 1
Prediction: Currently in Season 11, Chicago Med is one of NBC’s highest-rated scripted shows in primetime, so it is doubtful that this long-running and much-beloved medical series will be canceled anytime soon. Season 12 looks like a sure thing.
Average (seven episodes): 0.35 rating, 5.35 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
Chicago P.D.
Premiered: Wednesday, October 1
Prediction: Though Chicago P.D. is usually the lowest-rated members of NBC’s “One Chicago” franchise, it still pulls its own with a season average of 0.29 as 4.14 million folks tune in on average to watch the 13th season of the cop drama (not including further delayed or streaming viewing). Its chances of survival are high, unless other wild card factors get in the way (economy, casting issues, etc.).
Average (seven episodes): 0.29 rating, 4.19 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
Dateline
Premiered: Friday, September 25
Prediction: NBC’s longest-running primetime show has been covering current events since 1992. Hosted by Lester Holt and joined by correspondents Andrea Canning, Josh Mankiewicz, Keith Morrison, Dennis Murphy, and Blayne Alexander, Dateline remains a solid performer for NBC and Peacock, as the “granddaddy of true crime” should see its 37th season.
Average (nine episodes): 0.18 rating, 2.13 million viewers- Erin Maxwell
Doc
Premiered: Sunday, September 14
Prediction: With so few scripted series at Fox, this one was almost safe by default, but adding in the decent ratings bump it’s enjoyed in Season 2, it’s all green flags for Doc to return for Season 3.
Average (eight episodes): 0.25 ratings, 2.476 million – Amanda Bell
Elsbeth
Premiered: Sunday, October 12
Prediction: CBS takes up eight slots in the Top 10 most-watched broadcast shows this season, and Elsbeth Season 3 is No. 8 in that ranking. Like Matlock, its rating average is lower than other shows on the network, but its audience size is bigger. It’s a steady performer in the Thursday 10/9c time slot, and CBS continued its 20-episode order in Season 3 after Season 2’s success, indicating its continued investment in The Good Wife spinoff. We predict a Season 4 renewal.
Average (seven episodes): 0.19 rating, 3.847 million viewers — Kelli Boyle
Fire Country
Premiered: Friday, October 17
Prediction: Its spinoff, Sheriff Country, has already been renewed, and it’s almost certain that this one will be, too, even with a notable 10% dip in ratings for Season 4 so far.
Average (six episodes): 0.21 rating, 3.821 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage
Premiered: Thursday, October 16
Prediction: As CBS’s second-highest rated scripted series, Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage maintains the Young Sheldon and Big Bang Theory faithfuls who have been along for the ride, while also bringing in fresh eyes for this latest chapter in the universe. The likelihood of a Season 3 renewal feels imminent.
Average (six episodes): 0.38 rating, 5.36 million viewers. — Meaghan Darwish
The Golden Bachelor
Premiered: Wednesday, September 24
Prediction: Chances are, ABC will bring The Golden Bachelor back for another go.
Even though ratings were way down from Season 1, the network is pretty devoted to Bachelor Nation shows, and Golden has been a welcome addition to the franchise.
Average (eight episodes): 0.19 rating, 2.183 million viewers – Alyssa Norwin
Grey's Anatomy
Premiered: Thursday, October 9
Prediction: Despite a literally explosive cliffhanger to build interest in Season 22, the ratings have been disappointing, continuing with the steep drop-off that accompanied the show’s move to the 10/9c hour in Season 21. It probably won’t be canceled after this season, since it’s still a network icon, but it might be a season away from the finish line.
Average (six episodes): 0.20 rating, 2.163 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Hell's Kitchen
Premiered: Thursday, September 25
Prediction: Gordon Ramsay’s flagship show isn’t going anywhere. At this point, the celebrity chef is one of the central faces of the network, so this show is a mainstay for the foreseeable future.
Average (nine episodes): 0.23 rating, 1.654 million viewers – Amanda Bell
High Potential
Premiered: Tuesday, September 16
Prediction: High Potential continues to be one of ABC’s strongest performers week to week, maintaining its audience on a linear scale as well as via streaming. We’d be shocked if the show wasn’t renewed for Season 3.
Average (seven episodes): 0.34 rating, 4.19 million viewers. — Meaghan Darwish
Law & Order
Premiered: Thursday, September 25
Prediction: The flagship Law & Order series premiered Season 25 to good ratings with 2.8 million viewers, though not as robust as its sister show SVU, but solid enough to reaffirm its staying power as it maintained its audience across both network broadcasts and streaming platforms.
Average (eight episodes): 0.22 rating, 3.51 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Premiered: Thursday, September 25
Prediction: Season 27 premiered on NBC to 3.04 million viewers as Kelli Giddish returned as Sergeant Amanda Rollins. Fans rejoiced and showed their approval by making SVU a top performer for NBC, leading to its renewal for this season and solidifying its place as a network staple.
Average (eight episodes): 0.28 rating, 3.58 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
Matlock
Premiered: Sunday, October 12
Prediction: Matlock Season 1 was one of CBS’s highest-rated shows in Fall 2024 and scored the first renewal of that season. It’s now No. 3 in the Top 10 most-watched broadcast shows this season and is still maintaining strong weekly viewership. Its ratings average in the 18-49 demo is lower than other CBS scripted programming, but its audience is bigger than shows with higher ratings and ones that have already been renewed, such as Boston Blue. We predict a Season 3 renewal.
Average (six episodes): 0.28 rating, 4.838 million viewers — Kelli Boyle
Murder in a Small Town
Premiered: Tuesday, September 23
Prediction: We think the series will get another round at Fox. Why? Well, it’s one of the few scripted series left on the network, and even though it’s a middle-of-the-road performer, it’s got a steady and devoted fanbase and enjoyed a growth in average viewership in Season 2. Plus, the producers have laid out some detailed plans for what’s next with its compelling leads.
Average (eight episodes): 0.16 rating, 2.204 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Name That Tune
Premiered: Monday, September 15
Prediction: It’ll be back. With the mix of celebrities and non-famous people, Name That Tune falls 13th overall for fall shows and has brought in good ratings. The game show returned in 2021 with just celebrities, due to COVID, but with the mix of civilians, more people can audition and take home cash prizes.
Average (nine episodes): 0.82 rating with an average of 1.05 million viewers. – Brittany Sims
NCIS
Premiered: Tuesday, October 14
Prediction: Now in its 23rd season — and back to its usual spot on Tuesday nights — this show is as safe as anything on CBS’s schedule.
Average (six episodes): 0.32 rating, 5.520 million viewers – Amanda Bell
NCIS: Origins
Premiered: Tuesday, October 14
Prediction: With a decent uptick in ratings for Season 2 and a perennial anchor in its parent show, count on this one to keep moving forward, too.
Average (six episodes): 0.25 ratings, 4.111 million viewers – Amanda Bell
NCIS: Sydney
Premiered: Tuesday, October 14
Prediction: NCIS: Sydney was meant to be an across-the-pond-only affair until the dual Hollywood strikes made it a must-have for CBS. Since then, it’s been renewed twice. However, a steep dropoff in viewership might just make this an easy cut for CBS, which has seen some other major changes.
Average (six episodes): 0.16 rating, 2.851 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Saturday Night Live
Premiered: Saturday, October 4
Prediction: After Season 50, there was good reason for SNL fans to wonder if the show might call it a night, so to speak, after that landmark. However, at this point, there’s no reason to think it won’t just continue on in perpetuity — or, at least, as long as Lorne Michaels is still up for it.
Average (six episodes): 0.625 rating, 4.175 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Shark Tank
Premiered: Wednesday, September 24
Prediction: The move to Wednesday nights was a risky move on ABC’s part, since the show had been airing on Fridays for quite some time. So far, it has not paid off, with a 44% drop in average viewership season over season. Still, it’s hard to see ABC giving up on it at this time… it just might go back home to Friday nights in Season 18.
Average (six episodes): 0.15 rating, 1.567 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Shifting Gears
Premiered: Wednesday, October 1
Prediction: Shifting Gears will most likely return for Season 3 on ABC. The show left fans with many questions during its mid-season finale, and there are still more stories to tell. Shifting Gears was ABC’s highest-rated show in Season 1.
Average (six episodes): 0.34 ratings, 3.87 million viewers – Brittany Sims
Special Forces: World's Toughest Test
Premiered: Thursday, September 25
Prediction: This could be a show on the chopping block for Fox.
Ratings were down from Season 3, although they did stay consistent throughout all nine episodes, which could give it a shot at renewal.
Average (nine episodes): 0.17 rating, 1.187 million viewers – Alyssa Norwin
St. Denis Medical
Premiered: Monday, November 3
Prediction: NBC’s medical comedy series brings the funny, but are enough laughs being delivered to keep St. Denis Medical around? As one of the lower-rated scripted series on the network, it’s uncertain where the series stands, but we’re keeping hope alive for Season 3.
Average (five episodes): 0.31 rating, 2.33 million viewers. — Meaghan Darwish
Tracker
Premiered: Sunday, October 19
Prediction: Tracker was the top-rated network show for all of the 2024-2025 season, so it was already pretty much a guarantee to earn an easy renewal — and it’s building on that momentum in Season 3. This one’s definitely, 1000% going to get renewed.
Average (six episodes): 1.36 rating, 8.102 million viewers – Amanda Bell
Watson
Premiered: Monday, October 13, 2025
Prediction: Last year, Watson ranked among CBS’s highest-rated scripted series, but its move to Monday nights might have hurt the Sherlock Holmes-offshoot significantly as it competed with NBC’s Brilliant Minds. The Morris Chestnut–led drama fell from a 0.37 average in Season 1 to a 0.14 in the 18–49 live ratings across October and November. If it keeps up the sagging pace, a Season 3 will not seem likely.
Average (seven episodes): 0.14 rating, 2.4 million viewers – Erin Maxwell
Conversation10 Comments
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S
Fed up with tv and all the reality and game shows. Give us back scripted shows.
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T
Watson is far better in Season 2 than it was in Season 1. One of the very best shows on TV today. Would be criminal if it were not renewed. Outstanding cast and wonderful show to watch.
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B
Liked both Watson & Brilliant Minds but pitting them against each other was stupid. Watson is very good this season it should be given another chance!!
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D
This fall, Brilliant Minds and Watson aired at the same time. But CBS is moving Watson to a different time slot in 2026, which hopefully will help it. We've seen in past seasons, NBC cancel dramas after 2 or 3 seasons, so Brilliant Minds could be in danger of being cancelled if ratings don't improve in 2026.
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N
Originality has gone out the window for most new shows. It’s easier to copy and label as spinoff. Reality and game shows are a cop-out. Tracker and High Potential are just 2 that chose to think outside the box. Let’s have some more.
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P
Way too many reality and game shows. We need more shows with substance.
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D
Reading through, I think I only counted 4 or 5 that seemed in danger. If so, that doesn't bode too well for new shows trying to get into the lineup. But maybe all of those are angling for streaming services anyway.
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N
Hunting Party hasn't resumed yet but I'd almost bet that's a goner. Quantum Leap, The Irrational, Found -- all canceled after two seasons with unresolved storylines.
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E
Law and Order Organized Crime also needs to comeback as well to NBC and cancel Matlock
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E
What about Law and Order Organized Crime? If they canceled the show then Stabler and his crew could join Olivia and her crew or Bobby can join Jet.