ABC’s Decision to Expand Its Scripted Programming: Insights on ‘R.J. Decker’ and ‘The Rookie: North’
ABC Adds Two New Series to 2026-27 Schedule
ABC has finalized its 2026-27 schedule by including two new shows, R.J. Decker and The Rookie: North. Both series were picked up just before the annual upfront presentations where networks reveal their fall lineups.
Initially, there was speculation that only one of the two shows, featuring Scott Speedman in R.J. Decker or Jay Ellis in The Rookie: North, would make the cut. ABC aimed to maintain a consistent number of scripted shows year-on-year, making the decision process quite tense.
“We had extensive discussions leading into the scheduling meetings and throughout that week about both of these shows,” said Ari Goldman, ABC’s Senior Vice President of Content Strategy and Scheduling. “We are thrilled that not only were we able to renew R.J., but also that we’re adding to our slate for the second straight year with Rookie: North. That’s something no other network can say heading into this upfront week.”
Goldman acknowledged that expanding the scripted lineup to include both shows posed challenges amid the shifting dynamics of the broadcast industry. He noted, “Certainly, it’s a landscape that requires careful management of resources, but we felt creatively strong about both shows and recognized unique lead-in and launch opportunities.”
Metrics played a crucial role in the decision-making process. The network observed that R.J. Decker saw heightened viewership leading up to the pickup discussions. “The week after R.J. finished its season, it was its most streamed week ever,” Goldman remarked. “We’re still onboarding the show, finding new viewers every day.”
To bolster viewership, ABC plans a linear encore strategy for R.J. Decker‘s first season, with episodes airing back-to-back for three consecutive Tuesdays this summer and paired with Dancing with the Stars in its second season.
For The Rookie: North, the launch strategy aligns closely with its parent series, creating a franchise block that ABC will promote during midseason, thereby enhancing both shows’ potential audiences.
While the expansion into new scripted content signifies growth, Goldman cautioned that it may lead to episode order reductions for some existing ABC series. “We’re still determining the precise episode counts across the board. Some shows will remain unchanged, but we’re always looking to make financially sound decisions,” he explained.
Goldman reassured stakeholders that these adjustments would not compromise the creative integrity of the series. “We’re committed to growing the libraries of these shows for streaming and strengthening our portfolio,” he asserted, confirming that any episode count reductions will be minimal.
