While other networks wielded their cancellation axes like medieval executioners this year, ABC barely touched theirs. The Disney-owned network officially cancelled just one show in 2025, making them look downright generous compared to the bloodbath happening elsewhere in television land.
In a move that screams “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” ABC renewed a vast majority of fan favorites for the 2025-26 season, proving they’re more interested in nurturing their existing roster than gambling on expensive new experiments.
The network’s decision-making played out in strategic waves throughout 2025: early January renewals for their biggest hits, a massive April renewal spree that felt like Christmas morning for showrunners, followed by May pickups for their reliable reality staples, and finally June’s Bachelor franchise decisions that capped off their renewal cycle. It’s a methodical approach that suggests ABC has learned the value of patience in an increasingly impatient television landscape.
On that note, here’s the complete breakdown of ABC’s 2025 cancellations and renewals:
Cancelled shows: Doctor Odyssey (1 Season)
Ryan Murphy’s cruise ship medical drama sailed into rough waters just after season 1 ended in May 2025. Despite Joshua Jackson’s veteran charm and Don Johnson hamming it up as captain, this floating hospital focused on weekly medical emergencies at sea couldn’t stay afloat.
ABC reportedly let the cast’s options expire in June, effectively cancelling the show by default rather than making an official renewal decision. The series was initially part of ABC’s fall schedule before getting the axe. Even Murphy’s Midas touch couldn’t save this one from drowning in mediocre ratings.
Could it sail again elsewhere? ABC has noted there’s still a possibility the show could find a home at another network or streaming platform.
The Bachelorette (21 Seasons)
After two decades of handing out roses, ABC hit the pause button on its female-led dating circus in February. The franchise has been struggling with controversy and declining viewer interest, making this long hiatus look less like strategy and more like damage control.
While technically “paused” rather than outright canceled, this feels more like a gentle breakup than a temporary separation. But then again, this isn’t uncharted territory for the franchise — the Bachelorette previously skipped two consecutive years (2006-2007) before resuming production, so you never know how things will shape up for the show.
Summer 2025 won’t be entirely Bachelor-free, though, since Bachelor in Paradise is expected to fill the romantic reality TV void.
RENEWED SHOWS: Abbott Elementary (Renewed for Season 5)
Quinta Brunson’s mockumentary masterpiece continues its victory lap with an early January season 5 renewal. It is, after all, the show that turned underfunded public education into comedy gold, reinforcing the idea that authentic storytelling beats flashy concepts.
Abbott Elementary was the first ABC series to secure its spot on the 2025-26 schedule with Season 5 all set to premiere on October 1, 2025. In an era where sitcoms struggle to find their footing, this Philadelphia school keeps teaching ABC how it’s done.
High Potential (Renewed for Season 2)
Kaitlin Olson’s procedural about a cleaning lady turned crime-solving consultant scored a Season 2 renewal alongside Abbott Elementary in January. Turns out viewers were craving exactly this kind of feel-good procedural, proving that sometimes the most straightforward concepts work best. ABC clearly sees potential in this simple premise.
The show became ABC’s most-watched new series in seven years, averaging over 10 million viewers per episode across platforms and ranking as TV’s #1 drama among adults 18-49, making it a genuine breakout hit that helped anchor the network’s Tuesday night lineup.
9-1-1 (Renewed for Season 9)
The emergency responder drama continues its adrenaline-fueled run with a season 9 pickup in April. After migrating from Fox to ABC (it originally ran 6 seasons on Fox (2018-2023), then moved to ABC for Season 7 onwards), this first responder franchise shows no signs of slowing down, delivering the kind of over-the-top disaster scenarios that keep viewers glued to their screens. Eight seasons in, and they’re still finding new ways to blow things up.
The show received an 18-episode order and is set to premiere on October 9, 2025.
Grey’s Anatomy (Renewed for Season 22)
The medical empire created by Shonda Rhimes marches on to its twenty-second season with a renewal in April despite hemorrhaging original cast members and declining linear ratings.
At this point, this Seattle hospital has seen more drama than most real emergency rooms, yet ABC keeps the life support machines running. While linear viewership has dropped 45% this season and it’s now the least-watched ABC show on Thursday nights, the series remains a streaming juggernaut that brings significant value to Disney through its extensive back catalog and ongoing digital performance.
However, it does feel like the show has become the Keith Richards of television – somehow still standing when logic says it shouldn’t be.
The Rookie (Renewed for Season 8)
ABC renewed Nathan Fillion’s police procedural for an eighth season in April, making it the first new drama on the network to reach this milestone since Castle. The series about an older police recruit continues to defy network odds, proving that solid storytelling and Fillion’s charm can overcome any scheduling challenge.
The renewal follows strong momentum, with recent episodes drawing 8.25 million viewers after three days – the show’s largest audience since January 2023. The 18-episode eighth season is expected to premiere in January 2026, continuing the series’ successful midseason strategy.
Shifting Gears (Renewed for Season 2)
Tim Allen’s return to ABC family comedy earned a second season renewal following a strong initial performance that declined over time, with the show set to premiere on October 1, 2025.
The series set a 6-year viewership record for ABC with its January 8, 2025, premiere, reaching 12.45 million total viewers, including streaming. Though ratings dropped to 5.17 million by the season finale, ABC renewed the show in April, suggesting confidence in its overall performance.
Even if the comedy formula may feel familiar, the show, which centers around a stubborn father reconnecting with his family, hit enough nostalgia buttons to secure another round. ABC clearly believes there’s still gas in this particular tank.
Will Trent (Renewed for Season 4)
The crime procedural based on Karin Slaughter’s novels impressed ABC enough to earn a fourth season renewal in April. With its Atlanta setting and complex lead character, the show carved out its own space in the crowded procedural landscape.
What’s particularly impressive is the series’ steady ratings climb — viewership has grown from just over 3 million in its debut season to 4.3 million in Season 2, reaching 4.62 million for Season 3. In an era where most shows see declining audiences, Will Trent bucked the trend. Sometimes, patience pays off in network television.
The Bachelor (Renewed for Season 30)
The granddaddy of reality dating shows secured its thirtieth season in June, complete with new showrunners replacing those who departed amid workplace toxicity allegations. While The Bachelorette takes a breather, The Bachelor continues its quest to prove that finding love on national television is somehow still compelling after three decades. The series is set to premiere in early 2026.
American Idol (Renewed for Season 24)
The singing competition that launched a thousand careers and twice as many crushed dreams secured its twenty-fourth season in May. Despite cycling through judges faster than contestants hit wrong notes, this karaoke machine keeps chugging along. At a time when streaming platforms call the shots, ABC’s faith in old-school reality TV talent searches proves some formulas are too profitable to fix.
Celebrity Family Feud (Renewed for Season 12, premiered July 10)
Steve Harvey’s celebrity-stuffed game show revival earned its twelfth season renewal in April and premiered on July 10. Watching famous people struggle with simple survey questions remains inexplicably entertaining, proving that schadenfreude is alive and well in prime time. Harvey’s reactions alone are worth the price of admission.
Dancing With the Stars (Renewed for Season 34)
The ballroom competition that turns C-listers into glitter-covered athletes scored its thirty-fourth season renewal in April. After surviving network changes, format tweaks, and countless wardrobe malfunctions, this sequined spectacle refuses to waltz off into the sunset. ABC clearly believes there’s still life in those dancing shoes.
Shark Tank (Renewed for Season 17)
Mark Cuban and company continue their capitalist feeding frenzy with a seventeenth-season renewal secured in May. The show that turned entrepreneurial dreams into water-cooler entertainment proves that Americans love watching rich people decide other people’s fates. In an era of economic uncertainty, vicariously living through startup pitches hits different.
The Golden Bachelor (Renewed for Season 2)
ABC’s senior citizen spin on romance reality scored a second season renewal in April, proving that love after 60 is television gold. The show that made dating show tears feel dignified again found its sweet spot by aging up the formula. Sometimes wisdom really does come with wrinkles.
America’s Funniest Home Videos (Renewed for Season 36)
The granddaddy of viral video shows somehow earned its thirty-sixth season renewal in May, making it older than most of its viewers’ smartphone cameras. In a world where everyone’s a content creator, this analog relic just goes to show that watching people fall down never gets old. Not to mention Alfonso Ribeiro’s enthusiasm that keeps this nostalgia machine running.
Celebrity Jeopardy! (Renewed for Season 4)
The celebrity version of America’s smartest game show secured its fourth season renewal in May, continuing to demonstrate that sometimes fame doesn’t necessarily equal intelligence. Watching stars stumble over questions that would stump regular contestants adds a delicious layer of humility to Hollywood ego. Ken Jennings keeps the ship steady while celebrities sink or swim.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune (Renewed for Season 6)
Pat Sajak and Vanna White’s celebrity-powered word puzzle show spun its way to a sixth season renewal in May. The formula of famous people buying vowels apparently never gets stale. Even celebrities can’t escape the hypnotic power of that spinning wheel.
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire (Renewed for Season 4)
The quiz show that made “Is that your final answer?” a cultural catchphrase secured its fourth revival season (twenty-sixth overall since the show’s original 1999 debut) in April and premiered on July 23, 2025. The intellectual game show keeps finding new life across different networks and formats, proving that the dream of instant wealth never goes out of style. Sometimes the classics just work.