Overview of the 2018 Fall TV Schedule
The 2018 fall schedule covers roughly mid-September through mid-December 2018 across U.S. broadcast networks and major cable outlets. For viewers and analysts, this period defines the season baseline before holiday adjustments and winter premieres. The 2018 fall TV schedule reflects a mix of established hits, new dramas and comedies, and strategic counterprogramming designed to reach broad demographics in an increasingly fragmented environment.
This guide is structured as a durable reference, separating confirmed series and times from tentative plans and industry trends. Key topics include premiere dates, time zones, scheduling context, renewal signals, and how to track late-breaking changes. Because many modern series juggle broadcast and cable windows, this overview also clarifies where to watch each show.
How TV Schedules Work in 2018
Broadcast Versus Cable Structures
Broadcast networks (ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, and Fox) typically release firm fall schedules in late May or early June, allowing advertisers to plan buys. Cable networks often announce timelines later, with premieres rolling out from early September through November. Understanding these patterns helps explain why some shows appear to vanish midseason or why certain premieres cluster in October.
Time Zones and Same-Day Windows
Most listings use Eastern and Pacific times, because affiliates in Central and Mountain zones often air network shows on a same-day tape delay. Streaming and on-demand services increasingly remove these offsets, but live-plus-seven-day ratings remain the industry standard for measuring success in fall 2018.
Special Event Nights and Sports Overruns
Football, awards coverage, and election-night programming routinely displace scripted shows. Savvy viewers check affiliate and network websites early on event nights to confirm where a series has moved or whether it has been preempted entirely for live coverage.
Major Broadcast Networks and Their 2018 Fall Plans
By late summer 2018, ABC, CBS, NBC, The CW, and Fox had mostly locked their premiere dates and recurring time slots. Below is a concise overview optimized for scanning and cross-referencing.
ABC
ABC anchored its fall lineup with long-running hits and a few new dramas. Time slots were designed to balance family viewing and advertiser-friendly demos. Key series included returning comedies and procedurals, with new entries positioned as event premieres.
CBS
CBS leaned on established franchises and procedurals, often scheduling high-concept dramas near marquee comedies to retain total viewers. The network emphasized post-football strength, with many shows benefiting from live-plus-seven metrics.
NBC
NBC rolled out a mix of legacy comedies, a prominent post-NFL window, and bold new pilots. The network faced scheduling challenges as cancellations and midseason moves became common, but early planning gave affiliates clarity on time slots.
The CW
The CW’s schedule emphasized youth-targeted dramas and expanded comic-book franchises, often in low-competition windows. While some series launched to strong starts, the network also absorbed more cancellations by midseason compared to the big three.
Fox
Fox pursued a balance of new comedies, revamped reality blocks, and a scaled but committed drama slate. Football remained central, with scripted and reality shows designed to complement rather than compete with game coverage.
Notable Cable and Streaming Premieres
Cable networks often debut series in fall to capture audiences avoiding traditional ads. In 2018, premium channels, basic cable, and streaming services coordinated timing to maximize buzz. This table highlights key launches and where to watch.
2018 Cable and Streaming Key Premieres
| Series | Network/Platform | Premiere Date (2018) | Time Slot (ET, when available) | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Purge | USA Network | September 4 | 10:00 PM | Original series launch |
| Mayans M.C. | FX | September 4 | 10:00 PM | Sons of Anarchy spinoff |
| Killing Eve | BBC America / AMC Networks | July 15 (U.S. launch) | 9:00 PM | Premiered early summer; built fall buzz |
| The Assassination of Gianni Versace | FX | January 2018 (limited), fall repeats and syndication planning began early | 10:00 PM | Limited series; fall coverage focused on repeats and awards |
| The Alienist | TNT | January 2018 (limited), fall repeats and franchise planning began | 9:00 PM | Limited series; early rollout shaped fall discussion |
| The Rookie | ABC | October 16 | 8:00 PM | Broadcast premiere; displaced a comedy rerun |
| The Handmaid’s Tale | Hulu | June 2017 (season 1); season 2 in 2018 | Variable streaming window | Limited-series model influenced planning |
Renewals, Cancellations, and Midseason Shifts
During the 2018 calendar year, several series were canceled after fall premieres or renewed for midseason pickup. These moves altered advertised lineups and created last-minute schedule changes. Networks increasingly used fall as a testing window, sometimes shifting series to digital platforms or rescheduling based on live-plus-seven performance.
- Notable cancellations after fall 2018 included midseason entries on multiple networks.
- Some comedies were moved to summer or reduced episode orders to free up budget for new scripted pilots.
- Streaming services absorbed select broadcast cancellations, extending story arcs beyond traditional season endpoints.
How to Use This Guide Over Time
Because this page follows an evergreen_explainer framework, it is designed to remain useful even as exact dates and affiliations change. To keep it accurate, we track network press releases, affiliate listings, and industry reporting. When schedules shift, we update time slots and premiere dates while preserving the structural context around planning patterns and viewing strategies.