Winter 2026 TV Preview: 31 Must-Watch Shows Heating Up Screens

Television fans have plenty to get excited about as Winter 2026 kicks off with a massive slate of 31 new and returning shows. From medical dramas picking up intense cliffhangers to long-awaited finales and star-studded comebacks, this season promises non-stop action across networks and streaming platforms. Social media is already lighting up with countdowns and watchlists, turning TV previews into a viral trend that has everyone planning their viewing schedules.

Background

The buzz around Winter 2026 TV started building late last year when outlets like BuzzFeed, TVLine, and Rotten Tomatoes dropped their preview lists. These roundups highlighted everything from network staples to streaming hits, drawing millions of views as people shared their must-sees on platforms like X and TikTok. What makes this season stand out is the mix of closure and fresh starts—shows like Outlander wrapping up after a decade, while newcomers like His & Hers dive into tense thrillers. Patrick Dempsey's jump back to network TV has sparked nostalgia, and Game of Thrones alums landing new roles are fueling fan theories everywhere. Industry insiders point to a post-strike surge in production, leading to this crowded but thrilling window from January through March.

Networks like ABC, CBS, and NBC are leaning on established hits, while Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video push bold originals. For instance, ABC's midseason lineup includes heavyweights that left viewers hanging, and Hulu's political mysteries are teasing jaw-dropping twists. This flood of content comes at a perfect time, as colder months keep people indoors, glued to screens and debating episodes online. Viral threads dissecting trailers and casting news have turned simple previews into cultural moments, with hashtags like #WinterTV2026 trending weekly.

Key Details

Here’s a breakdown of some of the 31 shows making waves this winter, grouped by premiere timing and platform for easy planning.

Starting strong in early January:

• The Pitt Season 2 (Netflix, Jan. 8): The medical drama returns with high-stakes emergencies, building on its first season's success.
• 9-1-1: Nashville (ABC, Jan. 8): A crossover with the original 9-1-1 is in the works, hinting at drama in Music City, including teases of #Buddie visits.
• His & Hers (Netflix, Jan. 8): Jon Bernthal and Tessa Thompson star as an estranged couple tangled in a murder mystery in Georgia.
• Tell Me Lies Season 3 (Hulu, Jan. 13): Lucy and Stephen's toxic romance reignites at college, promising more chaos.

Mid-January heats up with The Night Manager Season 2 (Prime Video, Jan. 11), where Tom Hiddleston reprises his spy role against old foes. CBS brings the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on Jan. 11, setting the stage for awards chatter.

February brings firepower:

• Scrubs revival (ABC, Feb. 25): Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and the gang reunite for laughs in a legacy season.
• Paradise Season 2 (Hulu, Feb. 23): Sterling K. Brown returns as Xavier Collins, with Shailene Woodley joining for Episode 3's big reveal.
• Boston Blue (TBD): Picks up right after a shocking cliffhanger about Jonah's potential guilt in a killer's death.
• Family Guy Season 24 (Fox): Hits episode 450 with Lois understanding Stewie after a hilarious mishap.
• Fire Country midseason: Dives into Manny's risky call during a deadly blaze, questioning Bode's fate.

Other highlights include The Traitors Season 4 (Peacock, Jan. 8), Brilliant Minds addressing resident exits, Ghosts Season 5B (CBS, Feb. 26) with new ghostly twists, Law & Order/SVU crossover, Chicago P.D. focusing on Platt's emotional case, Abbott Elementary, Bridgerton, Shrinking, Doc, and more. Later drops like Dark Winds Season 4 (AMC+, Feb. 15) and The Last Thing He Told Me Season 2 (Apple TV+, Feb. 20) round out the list. Game of Thrones actors pop up in fresh projects, Outlander nears its end, and Patrick Dempsey eyes a network return, adding star power.

What This Means

This winter's lineup signals a TV landscape hungry for watercooler moments amid streaming wars. Crossovers like 9-1-1 and Law & Order/SVU could dominate online discussions, while finales like Outlander spark emotional fan farewells. Reactions are pouring in—fans on social media are hyped for Scrubs' nostalgia and Paradise's twists, but some worry about oversaturation diluting quality time.

"My hope is that they're very much still in our world, and this is not the last we'll see of Van or Jacob on 'Brilliant Minds.'" — Zachary Grassi, executive producer

Sterling K. Brown teased Paradise's Episode 3 as a game-changer:

"I can't tell you what it is, [but] it happens in Episode 3 — one of the big ones — but then you backtrack and you start to clock things that were even present in Episode 2."

For viewers, it means tough choices: binge medical procedurals, laugh through animations, or unravel thrillers? The variety caters to all moods, boosting community watch parties and meme culture. Showrunners like Tia Napolitano on Fire Country emphasize real stakes, mirroring police drama trends in Chicago P.D. As episodes drop, expect viral clips of cliffhangers and celebrity guest spots to flood feeds. This season could redefine winter viewing, blending comfort food with edge-of-your-seat suspense, keeping internet culture fixated on the small screen.