When does American Idol 2024 premiere? See the ABC 2024 mid-season schedule below
ABC revealed its 2024 midseason primetime lineup on Thursday, November 16, confirming that American Idol will return on Sunday, February 18. The announcement is part of a broader midseason plan that had been delayed by industry-wide labor disputes earlier in the year.
Both the writers’ and actors’ strikes disrupted network planning and production across broadcast and streaming platforms. The writers’ strike ended in September and the actors’ strike concluded in early November, allowing networks to move forward with scheduling and finalize premiere dates. Reality programs such as American Idol and The Bachelor could continue much of their work during the labor actions, but networks waited to set exact broadcast days and times until the scripted slate was clearer.
ABC first teased American Idol’s return with a season promo shown during the Country Music Awards, and the network later confirmed the full midseason plan. The 2024 schedule accommodates awards shows and other special events; for example, the Academy Awards on Sunday, March 10 will affect that night’s lineup, pushing a one-hour episode of American Idol to a late time slot.
Key premiere dates: The Bachelor, with Joey Graziadei as this season’s lead, begins on Monday, January 22, while American Idol returns for Season 22 on Sunday, February 18. Networks have indicated additional programming will be announced in the coming weeks as production and scheduling continue to settle.
Below is ABC’s midseason primetime schedule (times listed are Eastern/Pacific). This lineup reflects a mix of returning unscripted hits, ongoing dramas, sitcoms and new or limited-series entries slated to debut over the midseason window.
ABC 2024 Midseason Primetime Schedule (Times are Eastern/Pacific)
MONDAY, JAN. 22
8:00 p.m. The Bachelor (two hours)
10:01 p.m. 20/20 (new limited-edition true-crime series; official title to be announced)
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 7
8:00 p.m. The Conners
8:30 p.m. Not Dead Yet
9:00 p.m. Abbott Elementary (one-hour premiere)
10:00 p.m. Judge Steve Harvey
SUNDAY, FEB. 18
8:00 p.m. American Idol (two hours)
10:00 p.m. What Would You Do?
TUESDAY, FEB. 20
8:00 p.m. Will Trent
9:00 p.m. The Rookie
10:00 p.m. The Good Doctor
THURSDAY, MARCH 14
8:00 p.m. 9-1-1
9:00 p.m. Grey’s Anatomy
10:00 p.m. Station 19
These midseason premieres will help fill ABC’s schedule while scripted production ramps back up. Viewers can expect a mix of returning favorites and new entries, with some nights dedicated to multi-hour events or special premieres. As always, awards broadcasts and other live events may alter specific air times, so check local listings for final scheduling on those dates.
ABC has indicated it will announce additional programming and any schedule adjustments in the weeks ahead. For fans of competition and reality programming, the midseason offers a concentrated run of shows that typically draw strong live and streaming audiences, and American Idol’s February return marks one of the season’s headline moments.
The midseason slate also provides opportunities for networks to test new series and limited-run projects while longstanding dramas and comedies return with new episodes. As production continues to normalize post-strikes, further updates and casting or programming details should be expected from ABC in the coming weeks.