NBC's Epic 2026 Winter Lineup: Your Guide to Must-Watch Shows and Major Sports Events

NBC is gearing up for a jam-packed winter 2026 schedule, bringing back fan-favorite dramas, a highly anticipated new comedy, and some of the biggest live sports events of the year. Get ready to mark your calendars!

TL;DR: Here's the Quick Scoop

• February is "Legendary" with the Winter Olympics, Super Bowl LX, and the NBA All-Star Game all airing on NBC.
• Tracy Morgan's new comedy, The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, premieres on February 23rd with two episodes.
• The Voice returns with a "Battle of Champions" format, featuring Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine as coaches.
• Your beloved One Chicago and Law & Order franchises are back in early January, along with The Hunting Party Season 2.

Kicking Off the New Year with a Bang: Early January Premieres

January might feel like a long stretch after the holidays, but NBC isn't letting you sit in silence. They're bringing back a slew of popular series right at the top of 2026. Think of it as a warm blanket of familiar comfort TV to combat the winter chill.

The action starts on Monday, January 5th, with the midseason returns of St. Denis Medical at 8 p.m. ET/PT and The Paper at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. The game show The Wall, hosted by Emmy winner Chris Hardwick, also kicks off its sixth season premiere at 9 p.m. ET/PT, followed by Brilliant Minds at 10 p.m. ET/PT. Source: [TV Guide, "NBC Winter TV Schedule 2026: Here's When the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics Air," Nov. 14, 2025]

The Return of Your Favorite Weekly Dramas

If your Wednesdays and Thursdays feel incomplete without the pulse-pounding action of Chicago's finest and New York's legal eagles, you're in luck! The entire One Chicago lineup makes its grand return on Wednesday, January 7th.

• 8 p.m. ET/PT: Chicago Med (Season 11 Midseason Return)
• 9 p.m. ET/PT: Chicago Fire (Season 14 Midseason Return)
• 10 p.m. ET/PT: Chicago P.D. (Season 13 Midseason Return)

Then, on Thursday, January 8th, the long-running Law & Order universe takes back its rightful spot:

• 8 p.m. ET/PT: Law & Order (Season 25 Midseason Return)
• 9 p.m. ET/PT: Law & Order: SVU (Season 27 Midseason Return)
• 10 p.m. ET/PT: The Hunting Party (Season 2 Premiere)

The Hunting Party was initially slated for the fall, so fans have been eagerly awaiting its return to the 10 p.m. Thursday slot. It's a testament to its buzzy procedural drama status that it's getting such a prime spot back. Source: [TV Insider, "NBC Midseason 2026 Premiere Dates: ‘The Hunting Party,’ Tracy Morgan’s New Comedy & More," Nov. 12, 2025]

February: A Legendary Month of Sports and Star Power

While January brings back familiar faces, February is set to be truly "Legendary" for NBC, with three massive sports events taking center stage, punctuated by some exciting new and returning entertainment. It's a strategic move to leverage massive viewership for one-off events and then funnel those eyes to series premieres.

The month kicks off with the grandeur of the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games, beginning with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 6th. Just two days later, on Sunday, February 8th, America's biggest sporting event, Super Bowl LX, airs live from Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California. Then, mid-month, the NBA All-Star Game takes over on February 15th from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The Winter Olympics will then wrap up with its Closing Ceremony on February 22nd. Source: [Deadline, "'The Fall & Rise of Reggie Dinkins', 'The Hunting Party', OneChicago & 'The Wall' NBC," Nov. 12, 2025]

A New Comedy Arrives: The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins

Amidst all the sports excitement, a brand-new comedy is ready to make its mark. Get ready for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, starring the incomparable Tracy Morgan. He plays Reggie Dinkins, a disgraced former football star on a mission to rehabilitate his image. Helping him navigate this tricky path is an award-winning filmmaker named Arthur Tobin, played by none other than Daniel Radcliffe.

"Disgraced former football star Reggie Dinkins (Tracy Morgan) is on a mission to rehabilitate his image with the help of award-winning filmmaker Arthur Tobin (Daniel Radcliffe). In order to earn back the admiration of his fans and the respect of his family, Reggie will also have to confront the ghosts of his past."

– Official Logline for The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins (Source: NBC)

The series, produced by the powerhouse team of Tina Fey, Robert Carlock, and Sam Means, debuts with back-to-back episodes on Monday, February 23rd, starting at 8 p.m. ET/PT. It will then settle into its regular time slot the following week, Monday, March 2nd, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. The cast also includes Erika Alexander, Bobby Moynihan, Precious Way, and Jalyn Hall, promising a strong ensemble alongside its two leads.

The Voice: Battle of Champions Brings Back Familiar Faces

Following the premiere of Reggie Dinkins on February 23rd, The Voice is back for its 29th season, and it's getting a unique twist: The Voice: Battle of Champions. For the first time ever, the coaching panel is comprised entirely of former winners from the show! Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine are all returning to the iconic red chairs.

This revamped format promises a fresh dynamic, as these coaches know exactly what it takes to win. The season kicks off with a two-hour premiere on Monday, February 23rd, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. To celebrate this special season, there will be two more two-hour telecasts on Wednesday, February 25th, and Thursday, February 26th, both at 8 p.m. ET/PT. After this initial flurry, The Voice will settle into its regular Monday 9 p.m. ET/PT slot beginning March 2nd. Source: [Variety, "NBC 2026 Midseason Schedule: Winter Olympics, Super Bowl LX, ‘Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ to Debut in February," Nov. 12, 2025]

A Look at the Wider Schedule and Strategic Planning

Beyond these highlights, NBC's midseason schedule fills out with other returning shows and consistent programming. Saturday nights will feature The Wall (repeats), Dateline NBC, and SNL Vintage starting January 3rd. Friday nights also see the return of Happy's Place and Stumble on January 16th, alongside Dateline NBC. NBA Basketball continues to be a staple on Tuesday nights, and will add Sunday nights as the NFL season winds down.

This midseason slate shows a clear strategy from NBC: rely on proven franchises and massive live events to anchor the schedule, while carefully introducing new comedies like Reggie Dinkins in a high-traffic slot immediately after major programming. The challenge for new shows, however, is cutting through the noise of established hits and high-profile sports. For instance, launching a new comedy against the backdrop of the Olympics and Super Bowl means it needs to be immediately engaging to capture and retain viewers who are spoilt for choice.

Example: Planning Your Ultimate Viewing Weekend

Imagine it's the first weekend of February. You've been looking forward to a relaxing Friday night, maybe catching up on the latest episode of Dateline NBC at 9 p.m. ET/PT. Suddenly, you remember: the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games Opening Ceremony kicks off that very night! So, you settle in for a night of global spectacle, followed by a Sunday where you're glued to the screen for Super Bowl LX. What a weekend that is for live television, seamlessly transitioning from one major event to another, all on the same network. This dense scheduling means you'll have to be strategic with your DVR or make some tough choices, but it certainly makes for exciting viewing.

What This Packed Schedule Means for Viewers

This winter, NBC is offering a robust blend of sports, drama, and comedy, catering to a wide range of tastes. While the heavy focus on live sports in February might temporarily shift some scripted shows around, the core franchises remain strong and predictably scheduled. The "Battle of Champions" format for The Voice is a clever way to re-energize the long-running competition, and the new Tracy Morgan comedy adds a much-needed fresh face to the network's sitcom offerings.

However, one potential limitation is that viewers who aren't avid sports fans might find February a bit sparse for new scripted content. Another counterpoint is the sheer volume of returning procedural dramas like the One Chicago and Law & Order shows; while beloved, they represent a significant portion of the schedule, perhaps leaving less room for experimentation beyond a single new comedy. Still, for fans of reliable, high-quality network television, this winter looks promising.

Practical Takeaways for Your Winter TV Viewing

• Circle February on Your Calendar: Seriously, the first two weeks of February are unmissable for sports fans with the Olympics opening, Super Bowl LX, and the NBA All-Star Game.
• Set Your DVR for New Comedy: Don't miss Tracy Morgan and Daniel Radcliffe in The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, premiering February 23rd at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
• Get Ready for a Revamped Voice: With an all-champions coaching panel, The Voice's new season (starting Feb. 23rd, 9 p.m. ET/PT) promises fresh dynamics.
• Your Favorites are Back Early: The One Chicago and Law & Order franchises make their midseason returns in the first week of January.
• Stream Next Day on Peacock: For ultimate flexibility, remember that all NBC shows are available to stream the day after they air on Peacock.

Frequently Asked Questions About NBC's 2026 Midseason Schedule

1. When do the Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games start and end? The Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games begin with the Opening Ceremony on Friday, February 6th, and conclude with the Closing Ceremony on Sunday, February 22nd.
2. What makes this season of The Voice different? Season 29 of The Voice, dubbed "Battle of Champions," features a coaching panel comprised entirely of past winners: Kelly Clarkson, John Legend, and Adam Levine.
3. When does The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins premiere and what's its regular time slot? The new Tracy Morgan comedy premieres with two episodes on Monday, February 23rd, at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Its regular time slot will be Mondays at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT, starting March 2nd.
4. Will I be able to stream these shows? Yes! All new episodes of NBC shows will be available to stream the next day on Peacock.

Sources:

• TV Guide, "NBC Winter TV Schedule 2026: Here's When the Super Bowl and Winter Olympics Air," Nov. 14, 2025. URL: (Not provided in original text, but implied as the source for schedule details)
• Deadline, "'The Fall & Rise of Reggie Dinkins', 'The Hunting Party', OneChicago & 'The Wall' NBC," Denise Petski, Nov. 12, 2025. URL: (Not provided in original text, but implied as the source for show details and dates)
• TV Insider, "NBC Midseason 2026 Premiere Dates: ‘The Hunting Party,’ Tracy Morgan’s New Comedy & More," Meredith Jacobs, Nov. 12, 2025. URL: (Not provided in original text, but implied as the source for schedule details and show descriptions)
• Variety, "NBC 2026 Midseason Schedule: Winter Olympics, Super Bowl LX, ‘Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ to Debut in February," Joe Otterson, Nov. 12, 2025. URL: (Not provided in original text, but implied as the source for schedule details and show descriptions)
• PopCulture.com, "NBC's 2026 Midseason Schedule Has Been Revealed: Here's What Shows Are Coming," Christopher Rosa, Nov. 12, 2025. URL: (Not provided in original text, but implied as the source for schedule details and show descriptions)
• The Wrap, "Tracy Morgan’s ‘The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins’ and ‘The Voice: Battle of Champions’ Have Set February Premieres at NBC," Nov. 12, 2025. URL: (Not provided in original text, but implied as the source for schedule details and show descriptions)