Get ready for the slight change to the ABC schedule this fall. The full fall 2025 schedule is out, and there are some notable decisions. While holding two scripted shows for the midseason, two reality shows are seeing a change of night, according to Deadline.
The decisions are likely to help ensure growth for the shows. Wednesday nights became more of a game show night this year, along with other unscripted fare, such as Celebrity Jeopardy! and What Would You Do? Rolling in straight after a comedy block to kick off the night, ABC has a consistent presence up against tough competition of One Chicago Wednesdays on NBC and popular reality shows on CBS.
One of the most surprising decisions is likely Shark Tank moving to a new night. This Dragon’s Den-like series has been a staple on Friday nights for the last five seasons. It has aired on Sundays before, also performing well up against sports and some scripted dramas on other networks. Fall 2025 will mark the first time it’s moved to a weeknight since episodes 7 to 10 of the very first season, and it’s the first time it’s moved into the latest timeslot of the night.
Shark Tank will air on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT, and it will be interesting to see how it performs. This can be a competitive timeslot up against Chicago PD on NBC and the fact that people will already be half an hour into CBS reality shows at this point of the night.
Shark Tank has aired reruns on Wednesday nights in this timeslot, so it won’t be too offputting for fans of the series, but it will still be interesting to see how the night plays out.
The Golden Bachelor is also on the move to Wednesdays, and it will take the 9 p.m. ET/PT timeslot, running straight after an hour of comedy. The series aired on Thursday nights when it first premiered in fall 2023, which was already an unusual night for Bachelor Nation fans. This series usually airs on Mondays and Tuesdays!
However, it is worth noting that The Golden Bachelorette aired on Wednesdays in fall 2024, so there is some precedent for this move. The series held steady throughout the fall, so it does make sense to attempt it with the newer series. However, until The Golden Bachelorette, The Golden Bachelor, which will star former NFL player Mel Owens, will only have hour-long episodes (rather than 90-minute episodes).
Plus, The Golden Bachelor needs to move out of Thursday nights. That’s TGIT night, and the only reason the likes of 911 and Grey’s Anatomy didn’t air on Thursdays in fall 2023 was due to the writers and actors strike that took place that summer. The shows weren’t ready until January 2024.
Wednesday will still start with comedy, with Shifting Gears season 2 kickstarting the night and then moving into Abbott Elementary season 5.
According to the report, ABC is optimistic about all the switches. Disney Television boss Craig Erwich has this to say about the changes:
“The theme for us this year was really about stability, I think it’s actually the key to our success year over year. So with Shark Tank, being able to put one show there for the entire year, just felt like it really made sense. And we have this incredible luxury that we’re able to put Celebrity Wheel of Fortune on Fridays at eight.”
Stay tuned for more news about ABC's fall lineup!