Streaming may dominate headlines, but broadcast television still controls the calendar. February 2026 proves that point again. Between the Super Bowl, the Winter Olympics, and a tightly packed midseason rollout, ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox all use February to reset their lineups and reposition their biggest franchises.

This guide breaks down what’s new, what’s returning, and why it matters across the four major U.S. broadcast networks — with dates, strategy, and viewing tips for the month ahead.

ABC: Nostalgia, Game Shows, and Strategic Patience

ABC largely stays quiet early in the month, then makes a statement late.

Key Premieres and Returns

What’s New on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox? February 2026 Full Schedule
Scrubs' Season 10

Wednesday, February 25

  • Scrubs – Season 10 (two-episode premiere)

  • The Greatest Average American – Series premiere

ABC’s strategy blends nostalgia and experimentation. Scrubs arrives as a familiar comfort play, while The Greatest Average American tests a low-risk genre that traditionally performs well midseason.

Friday, February 27

  • Celebrity Jeopardy! – New episodes

Game shows remain a dependable anchor for ABC, especially on nights where scripted ratings are softer.

ABC’s February Strategy

ABC avoids launching new dramas in February, choosing instead to:

  • Reignite viewer interest with recognizable brands

  • Test unscripted formats before spring

  • Save heavier scripted pushes for March

CBS: Midseason Muscle and Franchise Power

What’s New on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox? February 2026 Full Schedule
CBS Midseason Premiere Dates Include ‘CIA’

CBS arguably has the strongest broadcast presence in February 2026, using the post-Olympics window to maximum effect.

Key Premieres and Returns

Monday, February 23

  • CIA – Series premiere

CBS positions CIA late on Monday, signaling confidence in procedural storytelling and franchise potential.

Wednesday, February 25

  • Survivor – Season 50

Season 50 is not just another return. It’s a milestone event, and CBS treats it accordingly, using February’s cleared calendar to focus attention.

Thursday, February 26

  • CBS’s full Thursday lineup returns:

    • Ghosts

    • Matlock

    • Elsbeth

    • Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

Thursday nights are premium real estate, and restoring stability here is a major February milestone for CBS.

CBS’s February Strategy

CBS leans into:

  • Familiar franchises

  • Procedurals with broad appeal

  • Carefully staged midseason launches

It’s a conservative approach — and historically, one that works.

Read more:

- Post-Super Bowl TV Is Back: What U.S. Networks Are Premiering After February 23, 2026

- February 2026 TV Schedule: Every New and Returning Show to Watch in the U.S.

- February 2026 TV & Streaming Schedule: What’s New on Netflix, HBO, Apple TV+, Amazon, Hulu, and More

- February 2026 Premium Streaming Calendar: What to Watch on Criterion, MUBI, BritBox, and Acorn TV

NBC: Rebuilding After a Sports-Heavy Start

NBC’s February is defined by sports, but the network pivots quickly once the Olympics wind down.

Key Premieres and Returns

Monday, February 23

  • The Voice – Season 29

  • The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins – Series premiere

NBC relies on The Voice as its cornerstone, using it to introduce a new comedy into a competitive time slot.

NBC’s February Strategy

NBC’s approach is about recovery and momentum:

  • Use sports to dominate early February

  • Reset scripted programming once viewers return

  • Stabilize Monday nights before expanding elsewhere

February is less about volume for NBC and more about regaining routine.

Fox: Selective and Low-Risk

What’s New on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox? February 2026 Full Schedule
After 12 years on TBS, American Dad Season 20 (Also Known as Season 22) is coming back to FOX

Fox takes the lightest approach of the four networks in February 2026.

Key Returns

  • American Dad! – Season 20 (late February)

Fox continues to rely on animation and established brands rather than introducing risky new scripted projects during a disrupted month.

Fox’s February Strategy

Fox prioritizes:

  • Cost-controlled programming

  • Animation stability

  • Avoiding direct competition with sports-heavy weeks

It’s a quieter presence, but an intentional one.

How the Networks Stack Up in February 2026

Network Strength in February Primary Focus
ABC Nostalgia + unscripted Revivals, game shows
CBS Franchises + stability Procedurals, reality
NBC Event-driven reset Reality anchors
Fox Minimal risk Animation

What Broadcast Viewers Should Watch First

If you only have time for a few shows:

  1. Survivor Season 50 (CBS)

  2. CIA (CBS)

  3. Scrubs revival (ABC)

  4. The Voice Season 29 (NBC)

These titles are positioned to define broadcast conversation for the rest of the spring.

Final Takeaway

Broadcast US TV may no longer dominate every night, but February 2026 shows how strategic it still is. By waiting out the Super Bowl and Olympics, the major networks create a compressed, high-impact launch window that feels almost like a second fall season.

For viewers, the message is simple:

If you skipped early February, tune back in after February 23. That’s when broadcast TV truly comes alive again.