CBS 2026 Midseason: Survivor 50, CIA, & Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Y: Marshals’

CBS has officially unveiled its comprehensive midseason schedule for 2026, setting the stage for a compelling lineup of new series and returning favorites. Viewers can anticipate a diverse slate of programming, including the highly anticipated 50th season of the reality titan ‘Survivor,’ the intriguing new drama ‘CIA,’ and Taylor Sheridan’s latest Western venture, ‘Y: Marshals.’ The network’s strategy for the new year promises a blend of established franchises and fresh content designed to engage a broad audience, with premieres staggered across January, February, and March 2026.

Early 2026 Kickoff: January Premieres and True Crime

The midseason rollout begins on Wednesday, January 7, 2026. This night will see the return of classic game shows and the debut of a new true-crime offering. ‘Hollywood Squares’ will air from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, followed by ‘The Price Is Right at Night’ from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Capping off the evening is the series premiere of ‘Harlan Coben’s Final Twist,’ a new true-crime program, scheduled for 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

February’s Packed Schedule: Spinoffs, Milestones, and Franchise Expansions

February 2026 marks a significant period for CBS’s midseason schedule, bringing several high-profile premieres and a landmark season.

‘CIA’ Joins the ‘FBI’ Universe

Monday, February 23, introduces the new drama ‘CIA,’ a spinoff of the popular ‘FBI’ franchise starring Tom Ellis. Despite earlier reports concerning production changes, the series is slated to premiere at 10:00 PM, following the established comedies ‘The Neighborhood’ at 8:00 PM and ‘DMV’ at 8:30 PM, and its parent series ‘FBI’ at 9:00 PM.

‘NCIS’ Franchise Continues Strong

Tuesday, February 24, will be dedicated to the enduring ‘NCIS’ universe. The original ‘NCIS’ will air from 8:00 PM to 9:00 PM, leading into ‘NCIS: Origins’ from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM, and concluding with ‘NCIS: Sydney’ from 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM.

‘Survivor 50’ Celebrates a Milestone

A major highlight of the midseason is the highly anticipated premiere of ‘Survivor 50’ on Wednesday, February 25. This milestone season will kick off with a special three-hour premiere from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. Leading up to this event, CBS will offer two weeks of special ‘Survivor’ programming, beginning February 9, with ten encore episodes from the show’s extensive history.

Thursday and Friday Night Lineups

Thursday, February 26, will feature a comedy block with ‘Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage’ at 8:00 PM and ‘Ghosts’ at 8:30 PM, followed by dramas ‘Matlock’ at 9:00 PM and ‘Elsbeth’ at 10:00 PM. Friday, February 27, will present a night of dramas, including ‘Sheriff Country’ at 8:00 PM, ‘Fire Country’ at 9:00 PM, and ‘Boston Blue’ at 10:00 PM.

March Introductions: New Dramas and Culinary Competitions

As the calendar turns to March, CBS introduces more new series to its 2026 lineup.

Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Y: Marshals’ Debuts

Sunday, March 1, will see the series premiere of Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Y: Marshals’ at 8:00 PM, fitting into the network’s strong Sunday night drama block. It will be preceded by ’60 Minutes’ at 7:00 PM and followed by ‘Tracker,’ moving to a new time period at 9:00 PM, and ‘Watson,’ which shifts to a new night and time period at 10:00 PM.

‘America’s Culinary Cup’ Hosted by Padma Lakshmi

Wednesday, March 4, brings a new culinary competition to CBS. Padma Lakshmi will host ‘America’s Culinary Cup,’ which premieres at 9:30 PM. This new show will air after ‘Survivor’ moves into its regular time period at 8:00 PM, and before ‘Hollywood Squares’ at 10:30 PM.

Conclusion

CBS’s midseason 2026 schedule presents a robust offering designed to captivate viewers with a mix of fresh narratives and beloved returning series. From the milestone celebration of ‘Survivor 50’ and the expansion of established franchises like ‘FBI’ and ‘NCIS’ with new additions like ‘CIA’ and ‘NCIS: Origins,’ to the introduction of anticipated new dramas such as Taylor Sheridan’s ‘Y: Marshals’ and compelling unscripted content like ‘America’s Culinary Cup,’ the network aims to deliver a diverse and engaging viewing experience throughout the early part of 2026. The strategic scheduling suggests a concerted effort to maintain strong viewership across multiple nights, providing a strong start to the new year for the network.