NBC's Blockbuster 2026 Midseason Schedule: New Stars, Revamped Favorites, and Unmissable Sports

Get ready to cozy up because NBC is unleashing a powerhouse midseason lineup for early 2026, promising everything from fresh comedy with Tracy Morgan to a completely reimagined The Voice, alongside an unprecedented "Legendary February" stacked with the world's biggest sports events.

TL;DR: Your Essential NBC Midseason 2026 Rundown

• New Comedy Alert: Tina Fey-produced The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, starring Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe, premieres February 23.
• The Voice Gets a Major Twist: Season 29, dubbed "Battle of Champions," features an iconic coaching panel made entirely of past winners, including Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine.
• "Legendary February" Dominates Screens: NBC is broadcasting the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, Super Bowl LX, and the NBA All-Star Game all within weeks.

Get Ready for a Comedy Comeback with Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe

Imagine a disgraced football star trying to fix his image, guided by an award-winning filmmaker. That's the premise of NBC's anticipated new comedy, The Fall And Rise Of Reggie Dinkins, which is set to debut with a one-hour premiere on Monday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. This show comes from the creative minds of Robert Carlock and Sam Means and is produced by none other than Tina Fey, promising a distinct comedic voice.

The series stars Emmy Award winner Tracy Morgan as Reggie Dinkins and Daniel Radcliffe as Arthur Tobin, the filmmaker tasked with helping Reggie on his journey to redemption. The cast is rounded out by talented actors like Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, Precious Way, and Jalyn Hall. After its big premiere, the show will settle into its regular slot the following week, airing on Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT starting March 2.

Local Flavors: How Reggie Dinkins Benefits Local Communities

The production of The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins isn't just bringing laughs to your screen; it's also making a tangible impact in local communities. For example, scenes for the new comedy were filmed at Carmine's Deli on Old Road in Elmsford, New York. Elmsford village officials noted the benefits of hosting such productions.

Elmsford Mayor Bob Williams highlighted the economic ripple effect, stating, "Every year major Films and TV Series are filmed right here in Elmsford starring big name actors and actresses. These filming days have proven to be beneficial to the Village and to businesses in Elmsford. The movie company pays a permit fee to the Village, if needed they also pay for police for traffic etc. They pay to use the facility they are filming at, and they shop at many Elmsford businesses for food and supplies for the filming." (Source: Patch, "New Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe Comedy Produced By Tina Fey To Film At Hudson Valley Deli", November 12, 2025). This behind-the-scenes activity shows how your favorite shows often support local economies long before they ever hit the airwaves.

The Voice: Battle of Champions Brings a Fresh, Competitive Edge

Get ready for a familiar yet entirely new experience with The Voice! Its 29th season, aptly titled The Voice: Battle of Champions, is set to launch immediately after the Reggie Dinkins premiere on Monday, February 23, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. This season marks a significant revamp to the long-running competition, introducing fast-paced, competitive elements that promise to raise the stakes for both coaches and artists.

What makes this season historic? For the first time ever, the coaching panel is composed entirely of former Voice winners: fan favorites Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine are reclaiming their iconic red chairs. This unique lineup ensures a deep understanding of the artist's journey and brings an unparalleled level of competitive spirit.

The new season kicks off with a special run of three two-hour telecasts during its first week: February 23 (9 p.m.), February 25 (8 p.m.), and February 26 (8 p.m.). Following this initial push, The Voice will settle into its regular Monday 9 p.m. slot starting March 2. The show continues to be a viewership juggernaut, having reached more than 27 million total viewers across all platforms in its current season alone. (Source: NBC, "NBC Announces Midseason Premiere Dates", November 12, 2025). With its revamped format and star-studded panel, Battle of Champions is poised to capture even more attention.

"Legendary February": A Sports Spectacle Unrivaled

February 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental month for sports fans on NBC, with the network dubbing it "Legendary February." Three of the biggest events in global sports will unfold within days of each other, exclusively on NBC and Peacock. This concentrated burst of high-stakes live action is set to deliver one of TV's all-time greatest weekends for a single network's ratings, and a truly exhilarating viewing experience for audiences.

The excitement begins with the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games, kicking off with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 6, and concluding with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 22. Right in the middle of this 17-day winter sports extravaganza, NBC Sports will present Super Bowl LX live from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sunday, February 8. Just a week later, basketball fans can tune in for the NBA All-Star Game at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, on Sunday, February 15. It's an unprecedented lineup that highlights NBC's commitment to major live events.

Fan Favorites Return: Dramas, Game Shows, and More

Beyond the new comedy and sports blockbusters, many beloved series are making their midseason returns, offering a steady stream of engaging content throughout January and February.

Procedural Thrills and Iconic Law & Order Returns

Fans of gripping procedural dramas have plenty to look forward to. The buzzy drama The Hunting Party returns for its highly anticipated sophomore season on Thursday, January 8, at 10 p.m. ET/PT. This show proved its popularity in its first season, reaching more than 30 million total viewers across all platforms. (Source: NBC, "NBC Announces Midseason Premiere Dates", November 12, 2025). It will follow the consistent powerhouse returns of the Law & Order universe, with the original Law & Order airing at 8 p.m. and Law & Order: SVU at 9 p.m. on the same night.

The popular "One Chicago" franchise also makes its comeback early in the new year on Wednesday, January 7. Viewers can catch Chicago Med at 8 p.m., followed by Chicago Fire at 9 p.m., and Chicago P.D. rounding out the night at 10 p.m.

Game Show Excitement and Returning Comedies

Emmy Award winner Chris Hardwick is back to host new episodes of the life-changing game show The Wall, returning on Monday, January 5, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The series continues to make a significant impact, having given away over $35 million in cash prizes to date. This season promises to feature extraordinary contestants, including a national hero who helped evacuate the Pentagon on 9/11, a courageous bystander who rescued a snowboarder buried headfirst beneath six feet of snow, and a compassionate firefighter who adopted a newborn left in the station’s safe haven. These real-life heroes add an inspiring dimension to the show's high-stakes gameplay.

Other familiar faces filling out the midseason schedule include St. Denis Medical and The Paper returning on Monday, January 5, at 8 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. respectively, followed by Brilliant Minds at 10 p.m. On Friday, January 16, viewers can also look forward to new episodes of Happy's Place at 8 p.m. and Stumble at 8:30 p.m., alongside the reliable Dateline NBC at 9 p.m.

Considering the Landscape: Balancing New and Familiar Content

While NBC's midseason schedule is undeniably robust, it's worth noting a couple of aspects that shape the viewer experience. On one hand, the emphasis on returning series like the "One Chicago" and "Law & Order" franchises provides comfort and reliability for established fanbases, ensuring a stable viewing routine. However, this strategy means that not everything is brand new. Viewers eagerly seeking a complete overhaul of their television options might find fewer entirely fresh scripted offerings compared to the volume of returning hits.

Another point to consider is the "Legendary February" sports block. While a massive draw and a smart move for network ratings, this heavy concentration of live sports events—the Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, and NBA All-Star Game—could potentially overshadow some of the new scripted programming, especially the new comedy The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, which also launches in February. The sheer magnitude of these sporting events means they'll naturally dominate much of the network's promotional efforts and viewer attention during that period, creating a trade-off for the new shows vying for eyeballs.

Your Quick Guide to NBC's 2026 Midseason TV Schedule (All Times ET/PT)

Here’s a quick rundown of what’s premiering and returning when, so you don't miss a beat:

• Saturday, Jan. 3: 8 p.m. – The Wall (R), 9 p.m. – Dateline NBC (R), 10 p.m. – SNL Vintage (R)
• Monday, Jan. 5: 8 p.m. – St. Denis Medical, 8:30 p.m. – The Paper, 9 p.m. – The Wall (Season Premiere), 10 p.m. – Brilliant Minds
• Tuesday, Jan. 6: 8 p.m. – NBA Basketball
• Wednesday, Jan. 7: 8 p.m. – Chicago Med, 9 p.m. – Chicago Fire, 10 p.m. – Chicago P.D.
• Thursday, Jan. 8: 8 p.m. – Law & Order, 9 p.m. – Law & Order: SVU, 10 p.m. – The Hunting Party (Season Premiere)
• Friday, Jan. 16: 8 p.m. – Happy's Place, 8:30 p.m. – Stumble, 9 p.m. – Dateline NBC
• Sunday, Feb. 1: 8 p.m. – NBA Basketball
• Friday, Feb. 6: Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games (Opening Ceremony)
• Sunday, Feb. 8: Super Bowl LX
• Sunday, Feb. 15: NBA All-Star Game
• Monday, Feb. 23: 8 p.m. – The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (Series Premiere), 8:30 p.m. – The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, 9 p.m. – The Voice (Season Premiere)
• Monday, March 2: 8 p.m. – St. Denis Medical, 8:30 p.m. – The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, 9 p.m. – The Voice, 10 p.m. – Brilliant Minds

Frequently Asked Questions About NBC's Midseason Lineup When does The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins officially premiere? The new comedy series, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, premieres with a one-hour special on Monday, February 23, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. What's different about The Voice: Battle of Champions? Season 29, "Battle of Champions," is unique because its coaching panel is made up entirely of former Voice winners: Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine. It will also feature new fast-paced competitive elements. Which major sporting events are airing on NBC in February 2026? February 2026 includes the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games (Feb 6-22), Super Bowl LX (Feb 8), and the NBA All-Star Game (Feb 15), all broadcast on NBC and Peacock. Where can I watch these NBC shows after they air? All NBC shows typically stream next day on Peacock, allowing you to catch up on anything you missed or rewatch your favorite moments.

Practical Takeaways for Your Viewing Pleasure

• Mark Your Calendars for February: If you're into new comedies, a fresh take on reality singing competitions, or massive live sports, February 2026 on NBC is going to be packed.
• Don't Miss the January Returns: Beloved dramas like "One Chicago," "Law & Order," and the game show The Wall are kicking off the new year early.
• Prepare for a Voice Shake-Up: The "Battle of Champions" format and all-winner coach panel promise a unique and intense season that's worth tuning in for.
• Peacock is Your Friend: For next-day streaming or catching up on any events you can't watch live, remember NBC's content will be available on Peacock.

Sources

• NBC: "NBC Announces Midseason Premiere Dates", November 12, 2025.
• Patch: "New Tracy Morgan, Daniel Radcliffe Comedy Produced By Tina Fey To Film At Hudson Valley Deli", Jeff Edwards, November 12, 2025.
• TV Guide: "NBC Winter TV Schedule 2026: Here's When the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics Air", Tim Surette, November 14, 2025.