This September, networks and streaming platforms somehow agreed to pile everything into the same two weeks. Three returning shows are hitting milestone seasons. Streaming drops are already live before broadcast even opens. And there is barely a free night on the calendar between now and the end of the month.
ABC, NBC and Fox are launching nearly 20 new and returning series between Sept. 15 and Sept. 27. CBS is sitting most of its lineup out until October, but the other three networks are not waiting. Neither is streaming. Streaming now accounts for 48.5% of all TV watch-time, and the platforms are moving before broadcast gets a head start.
Streaming Gets There First
Netflix, Hulu and Apple TV are all in before a single broadcast premiere airs. “The Gentlemen” Season 2 drops on Netflix on Sept. 3. Hulu puts every episode of “Chad Powers” Season 2 out the same day. Apple TV follows Sept. 4 with “Mayday,” a Ryan Reynolds action comedy. By the time ABC’s first premiere night arrives, subscribers already have two returning series and a new film to work through.
Broadcast Hits Hard Starting Sept. 14
The Emmys air on NBC Sept. 14, and the premieres start the very next night. ABC opens with “Dancing with the Stars” Season 35 on Sept. 15, the same night “R.J. Decker” returns. NBC launches “The Traitors: New Blood” Sept. 17 with a two-hour premiere. Then Sept. 21 arrives and things get genuinely crowded. NBC premieres “The Voice” Season 30 alongside new drama “Line of Fire.” Fox opens its premiere week the same night with “Celebrity Name That Tune” and “Celebrity Weakest Link.” Three franchises also hit milestone seasons this month. “Dancing with the Stars” reaches 35, “The Voice” hits 30 and “Hell’s Kitchen” arrives at 25.
Fox keeps rolling through Sept. 27. “Best Medicine” and “Doc” return Sept. 22. “The Floor” opens Season 6 on Sept. 23. “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Special Forces” arrive Sept. 24. The Sunday Animation block reshuffles on Sept. 27 with “Animal Control,” “The Simpsons,” “Universal Basic Guys” and “Grimsburg” all back.
Late September Is Where It All Piles Up
Prime Video drops all eight episodes of “Neagley,” the “Reacher” spinoff starring Maria Sten, on Sept. 16. Apple TV+ brings back “Slow Horses” for Season 6 the same day. CBS enters on Sept. 23 with “Survivor” Season 51 and its new Open Era format. Prime Video adds “The Love Hypothesis” that same night. It’s a lot. Broadcast drama viewership dropped 13% in May, and every network is betting September is when they win those viewers back.
October brings the Chicago franchise and the full NCIS Tuesday on CBS. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” lands on HBO at Christmas 2026. The watchlist is only going to get longer. September is a good time to start.