The first six months of 2026 have delivered a wave of good news for television fans, with over 100 series receiving renewal orders across broadcast networks and major streaming platforms. This robust slate of returning shows spans crime dramas, animated comedies, reality competitions, and prestige dramas, signaling a healthy and diverse television landscape.

From long-running staples like ABC’s *Grey’s Anatomy* and CBS’s *NCIS* to breakout hits such as Netflix’s *Wednesday* and Apple TV+’s *Severance*, networks and streamers are investing heavily in proven successes. The decisions made between January and June reflect a strategic blend of maintaining audience favorites and nurturing new critical darlings.

This period saw significant activity from powerhouses like Netflix, HBO, CBS, ABC, NBC, Fox, Apple TV+, Prime Video, Paramount+, Disney+, and Hulu, all eager to secure their programming for the 2026-2027 season and beyond. The sheer volume of renewals underscores the continued demand for compelling episodic content in a highly competitive market.

Broadcast Networks Prioritize Stability and Sports

The traditional big four broadcast networks – ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC – largely maintained a course of stability in their renewal strategies for the 2026-2027 season. This approach, a hallmark of broadcast television for some time, saw many established dramas and comedies secure their futures.

ABC renewed several tentpole series, including *911* for its tenth season and *Grey’s Anatomy* for an impressive 23rd season. Popular comedies like *Abbott Elementary* received a season six order, while newer hits such as *911: Nashville*, *RJ Decker*, and *Scrubs* were all picked up for their second seasons. Unscripted mainstays like *America’s Funniest Home Videos* and *Dancing With the Stars* also secured renewals, as detailed in Hollywood Reporter’s annual guide to network TV shows renewed and canceled.

CBS demonstrated similar commitment to its franchises, renewing *NCIS* for season 24, *FBI* for season nine, and *Ghosts* for season six. Spinoffs *NCIS: Origins* and *NCIS: Sydney* also received season three and four orders, respectively. First-year dramas like *Boston Blue*, *CIA*, *Marshals*, and *Sheriff Country* all earned second seasons, indicating strong initial performance. However, not all shows made the cut, with *DMV* canceled after one season and *Watson* after two.

Fox continued its strong commitment to animation, renewing *The Simpsons* through season 40, *Family Guy* through season 27, and *American Dad* through season 23, all extending into the 2028-2029 broadcast year. Scripted dramas *Doc* and *Murder in a Small Town* were renewed for their third seasons, alongside first-year success *Memory of a Killer* for season two. Unscripted hits like *The Masked Singer* and *Next Level Chef* also secured renewals.

NBC’s renewals included long-running procedural dramas *Chicago Fire* (season 15), *Chicago Med* (season 12), *Chicago PD* (season 14), *Law & Order* (season 26), and *Law & Order: SVU* (season 28). The network also showed faith in newer comedies *Happy’s Place* and *St. Denis Medical*, both renewed for season three, and the first-year drama *The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins* for season two. However, *Brilliant Minds* and *The Hunting Party* were canceled after two seasons, and *Stumble* after one.

A notable trend across broadcast was the increasing real estate dedicated to sports programming, with NBC, ABC, and Fox expanding their sports lineups. This shift means less primetime space for scripted and unscripted series, potentially squeezing out marginally performing shows. Despite this, NBC is also leading a small-scale revival of pilot season, suggesting an openness to adding new scripted content.

Streaming Giants Expand Universes and Secure Blockbusters

Streaming platforms continued their strategy of building out successful franchises and securing their most popular titles. HBO had a particularly strong showing, renewing *House of the Dragon* for both its third and fourth seasons, and *A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms* for season two. Critically acclaimed dramas *Euphoria* and *The Last of Us* were renewed for season three, while *Industry* was picked up for a fifth and final season. The network also renewed *The White Lotus* for season four and *The Gilded Age* for season four.

Netflix, a dominant player, announced a slew of renewals, including *Bridgerton* for seasons four, five, and six, ensuring its future for years to come. Other major renewals included *The Night Agent* (season four), *Wednesday* (season three), *The Lincoln Lawyer* (season four), and *Ginny & Georgia* (season four). The platform also renewed *3 Body Problem* for season two and *Avatar: The Last Airbender* for season two, demonstrating a commitment to its big-budget adaptations. For a comprehensive look at what’s new and returning, readers can check the Netflix July 2026 Full List of arrivals.

Apple TV+ continued to build its prestige drama slate, renewing *Severance* for season three, *Silo* for seasons three and four, and *Foundation* for season four. Popular comedies like *Shrinking* (season four) and *Platonic* (season three) also secured their returns. Prime Video renewed its superhero hit *The Boys* for a fifth and final season, *The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power* for season three, and the critically acclaimed *Fallout* for season three. The platform also picked up *Reacher* for season five and *Invincible* for seasons four and five.

Disney+ renewed *Percy Jackson and the Olympians* for season three and *Daredevil: Born Again* for season two, expanding its Marvel and fantasy universes. Hulu brought back *Only Murders in the Building* for season six and *The Kardashians* for season eight, alongside new hits like *Rivals* for season two. Paramount+ secured *Criminal Minds: Evolution* for season five (season 20 overall) and *Star Trek: Strange New Worlds* for season four, reinforcing its genre offerings. The competitive landscape for streaming content remains intense, with platforms vying for subscriber attention, a dynamic that also impacts film performance, as seen with Huma Qureshi’s Baby Do Die Do Fails at the box office.

Genre Performance and Notable First-Year Successes

The first half of 2026 highlighted strong performance across several genres. Crime dramas and procedurals continued their dominance, particularly on broadcast, with renewals for *NCIS*, *FBI*, *Law & Order: SVU*, and *Will Trent*. Animated series proved to be a reliable investment for Fox, securing multi-season renewals for its long-running staples. Unscripted reality competitions like *Survivor*, *The Amazing Race*, and *The Masked Singer* also maintained their strong viewership, ensuring their return.

Several first-year shows quickly proved their worth, earning swift second-season renewals. On ABC, *911: Nashville*, *RJ Decker*, and *Scrubs* all impressed enough to get picked up. CBS saw *Boston Blue*, *CIA*, *Marshals*, and *Sheriff Country* move forward. Fox’s *Best Medicine* and *Memory of a Killer* also secured early renewals, as did NBC’s *The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins*. These quick decisions reflect network confidence in new concepts that resonated with audiences immediately, a positive sign for new content development.