Television programming continues to dominate more of the San Diego Comic-Con schedule each year, with panels drawing massive crowds, and some Ballroom 20 lines rivaling even those for Hall H. As TV’s presence at the con grows, so does the excitement — and the wait — for official panel announcements from networks and Comic-Con International.
While we wait, we’re diving into some educated speculation about which series we think could appear at SDCC this year. We’re breaking it down into three parts: Cable & Streaming Networks, followed by Broadcast Networks (that’s this post right here!). You can also find our Movie speculation.
So, what might you expect from the world of broadcast television at San Diego Comic-Con this summer? Let’s take a look.
ABC
Given how much of a presence Abbott Elementary has had at San Diego Comic-Con the last few years (from panels, to Petco Park wraps, to offsites), we think we’re going back to school this summer. Would be very surprised if this one skipped. It’s always nice when a studio realizes what a huge audience there is at the con for genuinely great comedies… and Abbott is definitely that.
And on that note, I’d be very curious to see if we could get a presence for the Scrubs revival. Again, I think there’s a huge, underutilized audience for comedies at the con, and fans would definitely get excited about seeing Zach Braff, Donald Faison, and the gang at the con. Plus, co-creator Bill Lawrence is one of the best panelists I’ve ever seen in my 16 years of doing this.
Then there’s The Rookie of it all. The series returned last year, and got the other half of the wrap on Petco — so it’s not a huge stretch to think that they’ll bring back star Nathan Fillion for another round. Plus, with spinoff series The Rookie: North (which follows Jay Ellis as Alex Holland and Janet Montgomery as his training officer), they may want to do some extra promotion around that. Even with that 2027 midseason release date (which would normally push it too far outside of the normal SDCC promo window), a split panel with The Rookie could be an easy sell.
CBS
It took awhile, but CBS finally found a winning formula at San Diego Comic-Con… Ghosts. That’s it, that’s what the fans want. It’s a great show, with an energetic cast who know how to charm Ballroom 20, and it’s just pure fun. Even though the upcoming sixth season isn’t set to start airing until early 2027, I don’t think they’ll mess with that formula. After all, they brought the series in 2023, even with similar timing on when season three would be airing.
I also think we’re getting Eternally Yours, the new supernatural comedy about a vampire couple whose romance has become “deadly dull” after 500 years together. But when their daughter brings home a human boyfriend, things get a lot more interesting. That just feels like a no-brainer for Comic-Con, and again, comedies do very well here. They just have to be good, studios.
The CW
The CW barely exists anymore… and I just don’t think they’re heading back to Comic-Con. Those days are over.
FOX
We expect Saturday’s annual Animation Domination will be back this year with back-to-back panels for The Simpsons, American Dad!, Family Guy, and Bob’s Burgers, (alongside Hulu’s Futurama). At this point, it’s tradition.
I’m less certain about the return of Krapopolis. It skipped 2025, even with a new season starting in September, so it feels like their days of panels may be over for now. Similarly, Grimsburg has never made an appearance at the con… but with season three set for fall 2026, it’s at least the first year a panel would really make sense timing-wise. And if they do bring Grimsburg, they’ll also surely bring back Universal Basic Guys. It’s all just a matter of if Fox proper (not just the Disney TV side of things) want to be at the con this year.
On their new series front, I do think there’s an argument to be made for the Baywatch reboot. It’s silly, procedural, and soapy — all things that networks have loved to trot out to the con in the past. But it also feels like the January 2027 release date pushes it out too far (but they’re sponsoring events at ATX this month, so hey, never say never!), and this just isn’t the heyday of entertainment at the con, when networks would bring anything and the kitchen sink. I think the purse strings are much tighter these days.
NBC
Similar to the last two years, NBC’s offerings for the con look pretty bleak, as most of their series simply aren’t genre enough. I just don’t think NBC is coming this year, though I’m still holding out hope for Peacock.
TV Graveyard
We’d also like to take a moment to reflect back upon our dearly departed shows that won’t be gracing the stages at San Diego Comic-Con this summer, either because they were canceled, or simply ended their run. Here are the broadcast shows that you won’t be seeing at SDCC again, at least until that ten year reunion:
The Great North (Fox)
