We have reached the part of the year that all television fans aren't excited about. While it's generally known as the greatest time of the year because of the holiday season, when you're keeping up with handfuls of broadcast TV shows, it's the season for fall breaks and reruns. Unfortunately, school's still out at Abbott Elementary, and it will be for a little while longer.
ABC's Emmy Award-winning comedy series only aired one episode in November 2025 after six straight weeks of new episodes without airing a repeat. But now we're in uncharted territory for season 5 as the holidays approach. Following the episode on Nov. 5, Abbott Elementary season 5 will not air new episodes for the rest of November 2025, and for very good reasons.
Is Abbott Elementary on tonight, Wednesday, November 19?
No, there is not a new episode of Abbott Elementary on ABC on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025. The series will be off the air to make way for the 59th Annual CMA Awards, which are airing on ABC at 8/7c. The country music awards telecast airs for three hours, meaning the entire Wednesday night block on ABC won't have new episodes. Unless you're a country music fan, it's a bummer!
Additionally, Abbott Elementary won't be new on the following Wednesday, Nov. 26, which is the day before Thanksgiving. It's understandable that ABC has opted out of airing new episodes that evening, as most people will either be spending time with family or watching the premiere of Stranger Things season 5, which drops on Netflix at 8 p.m. ET, the same time as the network's comedy block.
On Wednesday, Nov. 26, rather than airing a rerun of Abbott Elementary or a special presentation of a holiday movie, ABC airs back-to-back repeats of Shifting Gears at 8/7c and a reairing of the 911: Nashville fall finale at 9/8c. Don't check Hulu on the last two Thursdays in November 2025 either. There won't be new episodes yet, but you can still catch up on the season's first six episodes.
Even though school's out for Abbott Elementary season 5 in November 2025, that doesn't mean that we won't be catching back up with out favorite teachers until 2026. ABC will air two more episodes before the end of the year. The seventh ("Goofgirl") and eighth ("Birthday") episodes of season 5 air on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 respectively. More Abbott is coming after Thanksgiving!
However, after those two episodes, Abbott will once again shut its doors. School won't be in session until 2026. ABC has already revealed its midseason 2026 premiere dates, and while some other networks are holding off on returns until February due to the Winter Olympics, Abbott Elementary returns on Jan. 7 and already has episodes scheduled for Jan. 14 and Jan. 21.
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