ABC has made some significant changes to its fall schedule, including the decision to pair up its two popular Bachelor franchise shows on a single night. The Golden Bachelor, a senior version of the show, and Bachelor in Paradise will now air on Thursday nights starting September 28th.
Previously, The Golden Bachelor was supposed to follow Dancing with the Stars on Monday nights, while Bachelor in Paradise was slotted for Tuesdays. However, the network decided to move both shows to Thursday nights and have them premiere on the same night. This decision could be seen as an effort to create a dedicated night for Bachelor fans to indulge in their favorite shows.
In addition to the Bachelor franchise changes, ABC has also announced an all-game show lineup for Wednesdays, starting on September 27th. Celebrity Jeopardy!, originally scheduled for Tuesdays, will now be a part of the Wednesday lineup, along with Celebrity Wheel of Fortune and The $100,000 Pyramid, which were initially set for Thursdays. This shift allows ABC to create themed nights and attract different types of audiences throughout the week.
With the scheduling changes, ABC now has some empty space to fill at the beginning of the week. The 10 p.m. hour on Mondays and all of Tuesday night are currently without programming. However, the network has indicated that plans for these nights, which may involve some of the currently unassigned shows, will be announced at a later date.
Among the shows that are currently without a time slot are Judge Steve Harvey, Press Your Luck, ABC News’ What Would You Do?, and a block of Abbott Elementary reruns. Abbott Elementary would have been the only scripted presence on ABC’s fall schedule, as writers and actors are currently on strike. However, without an assigned time slot, it remains uncertain if and when these shows will return to the lineup.
While the changes to the fall schedule have left some question marks, ABC also released a teaser for The Golden Bachelor, showcasing the show’s star, 71-year-old widower Gerry Turner, and his family discussing his expectations for the dating show. This teaser aims to generate excitement and anticipation for the new senior spin-off of the long-running dating franchise.
Overall, ABC’s schedule changes demonstrate the network’s commitment to finding the right audience for each show and creating dedicated nights for specific programming. By pairing up its Bachelor shows on Thursday nights, ABC is giving fans a consolidated night of romance and drama, while the all-game show lineup on Wednesdays provides a different entertainment option. With some empty slots still to be filled, ABC will need to carefully consider how to adjust its schedule to keep viewers engaged and interested.
Although details about the new schedule for Monday and Tuesday nights are yet to be announced, it is likely that ABC will find creative solutions to fill the gaps and offer a diverse range of programming. Whether it involves some of the currently unassigned shows or new additions to the lineup, ABC is sure to make strategic decisions to keep its viewers entertained. As the fall season approaches, fans of ABC can look forward to exciting changes and a variety of shows to enjoy.