Broadcast TV Bets On Scripted Comeback In 2026 Upfronts

In Deadline's coverage of the 2026 upfronts, CBS, NBC, Fox and ABC unveiled lineups that lean back toward scripted series, marking a cautious resurgence after recent slates. CBS adds three dramas and a comedy while trimming others for a net gain of about 1.5 hours; NBC adds two dramas and two comedies with a similar potential increase; Fox adds two dramas and a comedy for another ~1.5-hour rise; ABC breaks with tradition by adding The Rookie: North while renewing all scripted series. The shift is framed as a blend of budget discipline, the ongoing impact of vertical integration and streaming-era strategy, and a push to grow the networks’ owned libraries—even if some episode counts are being adjusted as part of broader cost-management efforts.