ABC Announces Summer Premiere Dates: The Bachelorette, Boy Band, Dirty Dancing Event and CMA Fest
ABC has released its lineup of summer premiere dates, highlighting several high-profile specials and series debuts. The slate includes the upcoming season of The Bachelorette — notable for featuring Rachel Lindsay as the franchise’s first black lead — the new singing competition Boy Band, a three-hour Dirty Dancing movie event, and the live CMA Fest special. Below is ABC’s full schedule of summer premieres and special events. All times listed are Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
WEDNESDAY, MAY 17 — “Downward Dog” (Sneak Preview)
9:31–10:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, MAY 21 — Billboard Music Awards
8:00–11:00 p.m.
MONDAY, MAY 22 — The Bachelorette (Season 13 Premiere)
9:00–11:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, MAY 23 — “Downward Dog” (Time-Period Premiere)
8:00–8:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, MAY 24 — Dirty Dancing (Three-Hour Movie Event)
8:00–11:00 p.m.
MONDAY, MAY 29 — Still Star-Crossed (Series Premiere)
10:01–11:00 p.m.
SUNDAY, JUNE 11 — Summer Game and Game-Show Night
8:00–9:00 p.m. Celebrity Family Feud (Season 3 Premiere)
9:00–10:00 p.m. Steve Harvey’s FUNDERDOME (Series Premiere)
10:00–11:00 p.m. $100,000 Pyramid (Season 2 Premiere)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 14 — To Tell the Truth
10:00–11:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, JUNE 22 — Boy Band (Two-Hour Series Premiere) and The Gong Show (Series Premiere)
8:00–10:00 p.m. Boy Band
10:00–11:00 p.m. The Gong Show
THURSDAY, JUNE 29 — Boy Band (Regular Episode) and Battle of the Network Stars (Series Premiere)
8:00–9:00 p.m. Boy Band
9:00–10:00 p.m. Battle of the Network Stars (Series Premiere)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 12 — The 2017 ESPYS
8:00–11:00 p.m.
MONDAY, JULY 24 — Somewhere Between (Series Premiere)
10:01–11:00 p.m.
MONDAY, JULY 31 — The Bachelorette: The Men Tell All
8:00–10:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 1 — CMA Fest 2017 (Televised Special)
8:00–11:00 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUGUST 8 — Bachelor in Paradise (Season 4 Premiere)
8:00–10:00 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 9 — The Story of Diana: Part One
9:00–11:00 p.m.
THURSDAY, AUGUST 10 — The Story of Diana: Part Two
9:00–11:00 p.m.
MONDAY, AUGUST 14 — Bachelor in Paradise (Time-Period Premiere)
8:00–10:01 p.m.
This summer schedule blends reality competition, scripted series debuts, live award shows and special programming. Highlights include returning franchises and new formats: The Bachelorette returns with Rachel Lindsay in a historic role for the franchise; Boy Band arrives as a new music competition; and the Dirty Dancing movie event offers a multi-hour special presentation. The lineup also features music-focused broadcasts such as the Billboard Music Awards and a televised CMA Fest special, plus a variety of game shows and summer premieres.
For viewers planning their summer TV calendars, ABC’s schedule provides a mix of tentpole events and serialized premieres spread across May through August. All premiere dates and times are listed above in EDT. Check local listings for potential schedule adjustments in your market and additional programming details.