2025-26 Season Ratings for New TV Shows (Week 26)

Key Takeaways

• ABC launches '9-1-1: Nashville' and 'Scrubs' reboot
• CBS adds 'America’s Culinary Cup' among nine new series
• FOX's 'Fear Factor: House of Fear' returns with fresh format
• NBC's 'On Brand with Jimmy Fallon' leads early demo ratings
• The CW's limited slate includes 'Law & Order Toronto' debut

Summary

The 2025‑26 TV season reached week 26, revealing early live‑plus‑same‑day ratings for dozens of new network series. Networks such as ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX and NBC listed their fresh titles, but advertisers focus on demo ratings that capture younger, high‑value audiences. Strong demo numbers often secure renewal, while weaker scores typically lead to cancellation after one season. The data provides a snapshot of which shows are on track for a second season and which are likely to be dropped.

Pulse Analysis

The 2025‑26 television season has reached week 26, offering the first solid data set on how dozens of fresh network series are performing in live‑plus‑same‑day ratings. While the article lists titles across ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX and NBC, the underlying metric that matters most to advertisers is the demo rating, which reflects viewership among younger, more commercially valuable audiences. Because ad dollars are allocated based on these numbers, early performance often dictates whether a show secures a second‑season order or faces cancellation.

Across the major broadcasters, the early leaders tend to be genre‑specific entries that tap into established fan bases. FOX’s revived "Fear Factor: House of Fear" and NBC’s talk‑show hybrid "On Brand with Jimmy Fallon" have posted the strongest demo scores, positioning them as likely renewal candidates. Conversely, network‑wide experiments such as CBS’s "America’s Culinary Cup" and ABC’s "Dirty Talk: When Daytime Talk Shows Ruled TV" are lagging, suggesting they may join the high‑turnover cohort that rarely survives beyond a single season. The data underscores how quickly networks must act to promote promising titles before advertisers shift spend elsewhere.

The ratings snapshot also highlights the broader pressure traditional broadcast faces from streaming platforms that deliver on‑demand content without relying on live viewership. As advertisers increasingly value measurable engagement, networks are compelled to craft programming that not only attracts live audiences but also generates social buzz and cross‑platform consumption. Looking ahead, the week‑26 figures will serve as a bellwether for the 2025‑26 renewal cycle, influencing budget allocations, talent negotiations, and the strategic balance between legacy broadcast and digital streaming investments.