Casting, trailers, renewals and premieres for scripted and unscripted TV series across broadcast and streaming platforms

As the 2026 television season unfolds, the industry’s defining pillars—full intellectual property ownership, star-driven prestige content, multiplatform franchise expansion, and innovative audience engagement—not only remain entrenched but continue to evolve with fresh momentum. Recent developments underline platforms’ intensified commitments to these strategies while introducing new narrative investments, particularly in author-driven prestige series and genre diversification. This dynamic landscape reflects a sophisticated interplay of creative consolidation, legacy revitalization, and format innovation shaping modern scripted and unscripted television.

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Platforms and Creators Double Down on Full-IP Ownership, Star Power, and Female-Led Thrillers

Apple TV+ continues to lead the charge in acquiring and fully owning intellectual property, a strategy that grants unmatched creative control and multiplatform leverage. The platform’s recent acquisition of Unconditional—an Israeli thriller from Keshet 12—strengthens its already formidable slate of female-led, internationally resonant thrillers, joining titles like Severance, The Hunt (Traqués), and Elisabeth Moss’s Imperfect Women. These selections underscore Apple’s focus on complex, transmedia-ready narratives anchored by strong women protagonists, a clear bid to shape prestige content with global appeal.

Hulu further consolidates its foothold in this lucrative subgenre with high-profile projects like the David Shore–Elisabeth Moss collaboration, while now adding Noah Hawley’s adaptation of The Witches of Cambridge to its development pipeline. Based on Alice Hoffman’s bestselling novel by the author of Practical Magic, Hawley’s involvement signals Hulu’s deliberate expansion into author-driven, genre-bending prestige series that blend literary pedigree with auteurial vision. This move highlights Hulu’s strategic intent to diversify its scripted slate with unique, high-concept dramas that appeal to discerning audiences.

Peacock’s M.I.A., created by Ozark co-creator Bill Dubuque, continues to attract attention as a layered, female-focused procedural thriller, reinforcing the sustained appetite for complex crime dramas centered on nuanced women leads across streaming platforms.

Netflix maintains its genre dominance by advancing a new supernatural series from the creators of Stranger Things, blending star power with broad demographic appeal and reinforcing its strategy of leveraging legacy creators while refreshing its serialized genre offerings.

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Franchise Expansion and Legacy Revivals Sustain Multiplatform Cohesion

Franchise universes remain instrumental in sustaining viewer engagement through interconnected storytelling and multiplatform synergy:

• CBS and Paramount+ are expanding their procedural empire with a CIA spinoff featuring FBI veterans Tom Ellis and Nick Gehlfuss. The spinoff, scheduled for 2026, will feature planned crossovers with the FBI universe, deepening narrative cohesion and rewarding loyal franchise fans.

• Paramount+ continues to broaden the Yellowstone universe through Marshals, spotlighting country music star Riley Green in his acting debut. This casting choice aims to attract younger, music-savvy demographics, broadening the franchise’s cultural reach.

• NBC injects nostalgia and fresh storytelling with Taylor Schilling’s What The Dead Know and a much-anticipated Bones reunion pilot, reuniting Emily Deschanel and David Boreanaz. This revival deftly balances legacy fan service with appeal to new audiences.

• Hulu and Peacock’s joint Scrubs reboot fuses classic comedy with contemporary themes, targeting both longtime fans and a new generation.

• ABC’s RJ Decker, which premiered on March 3, 2026, leverages Scott Speedman’s fanbase to compete in the crowded procedural field.

• Daytime soaps enjoy a resurgence as The Young and the Restless welcomes back Shemar Moore and Vivica A. Fox. Moore’s playful comment, “I’m home baby, blast from the past with too much dialog … I do eight pages in my day job,” reflects the energizing effect of legacy stars on long-running series and their devoted audiences.

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Renewals, International Productions, and Literary Prestige Continue to Drive Serialized Drama

Serialized dramas remain foundational to platform strategies, with renewals and international productions emphasizing global ambitions and literary prestige:

• MGM+ confirmed a second season of ROBIN HOOD, with production slated for Serbia’s PFI Studios this summer. This 10-episode renewal exemplifies MGM+’s franchise-building ethos by blending classic storytelling with strategic international collaborations.

• Aimee Lou Wood, acclaimed for The White Lotus and Sex Education, is attached to a new Jane Eyre adaptation by Working Title, reinforcing demand for female-led literary prestige dramas that marry star power with high production values.

• HBO renewed Industry for a fifth and final season, showcasing the network’s deliberate lifecycle management of prestige series. This planned conclusion preserves the show’s critical legacy and manages audience expectations with transparency.

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Streaming Strategies Evolve: Festival Premieres, Hybrid Releases, and Format Innovation

Streaming platforms are refining their release and marketing tactics to maximize engagement and cultural impact:

• Netflix sustained Bridgerton’s momentum by releasing the Season 4 Part 2 trailer on February 26, continuing its strong grip on cross-demographic romance audiences.

• HBO Max teased House of the Dragon Season 3 with a trailer emphasizing intensified political intrigue and large-scale battles, promising an epic continuation of one of the platform’s flagship series.

• Paramount+ announced The Madison, premiering March 14, adding a fresh procedural to its expanding slate.

• The Series Mania 2026 festival (March 20–27) will open with Disney+’s The Testaments, the eagerly awaited sequel to The Handmaid’s Tale, alongside The Audacity starring Simon Helberg. Festival premieres remain crucial for early critical acclaim and audience anticipation.

• Hybrid release models combining weekly episodic drops with binge windows continue to gain traction, optimizing social media buzz, viewer retention, and word-of-mouth.

• Disney debuted a vertical, phone-first series format tailored for mobile consumption, reflecting an industry-wide shift toward accommodating changing viewer habits, especially among younger demographics via vertical viewing and bite-sized storytelling.

• Peacock is developing an Emma Roberts-led TV reimagination of Bride Wars, exemplifying the ongoing trend of transforming popular films into serialized content that blends nostalgia with contemporary star appeal.

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Multiplatform Lifecycle Wins and Nielsen Data Validate Franchise-First Strategies

Recent multiplatform successes and Nielsen ratings further affirm platform priorities:

• NBC’s divisive crime drama achieved strong traction on Netflix 16 days after its linear Season 2 debut, illustrating the growing importance of post-linear lifecycle monetization and cross-platform audience building—particularly for binge-friendly serial killer narratives.

• Nielsen’s multiplatform ratings position CBS as the broadcast leader, driven by procedural hit Tracker, validating the network’s franchise-centric approach across linear and streaming.

• Netflix’s Stranger Things remains the multiplatform viewership leader, underscoring its flagship status and broad demographic reach.

• Disney’s January 2026 TV viewing share rose to 11.9%, buoyed by marquee events like New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, sports broadcasts, and broadcast dramas, narrowing the gap with YouTube and highlighting Disney’s growing influence across formats.

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Talent Mobility, Showrunner Transparency, and Diversity Initiatives Shape Casting Pipelines

Casting and talent development remain critical platform focus areas:

• Daytime stars are increasingly transitioning to primetime, enhancing diversity and expanding audience appeal. Notable examples include Evan Hofer (General Hospital) and Hunter King (The Young and the Restless), both appearing on 9-1-1: Nashville.

• Showrunner transparency continues to grow, with Shawn Ryan (Night Agent) offering candid insights into Season 3’s finale, clarifying plot decisions and teasing future story arcs. This openness fosters audience trust amid heightened social media engagement.

• Sony Pictures Television expanded its Elevate Actors Fellowship, nurturing underrepresented talent and diversifying casting pipelines, reflecting a broader industry push toward inclusivity and authentic storytelling.

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Strategic Global Content Partnerships Expand Platform Slates

Cross-border collaborations remain vital as platforms pursue international reach:

• Disney+ and UK media giant ITV extended their content-sharing partnership, acquiring Hulu’s Amanda Knox drama and The Stolen Girl. This enriches Disney+’s international offerings and underscores the rising prominence of co-productions and content sharing amid fierce subscription streaming competition.

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Scheduling Shakeups Illustrate Programming Volatility Amid Consolidations and Renewals

Broadcast scheduling volatility remains a challenge, particularly at CBS, which recently abruptly removed four shows from its schedule, leaving audiences and advertisers puzzled. This move spotlights ongoing tensions between maintaining programming stability and the need for agile responses to ratings pressure and shifting viewer preferences. The shakeup reflects broader industry dynamics where franchise renewals, new series launches, and audience fragmentation demand rapid recalibration.

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Looking Ahead: Consolidation, Innovation, and Audience Engagement Define 2026

The 2026 television season is marked by:

• Deeper consolidation of creative ownership, exemplified by Apple TV+’s full-IP acquisitions and international expansions.

• Robust multiplatform franchise universes, from CBS procedural crossovers to Paramount+’s Yellowstone extensions, reinforcing viewer loyalty and narrative depth.

• Star-driven legacy revivals, including Bones, Scrubs, and daytime soap returns, blending nostalgia with fresh perspectives.

• Female-led crime and thriller dramas anchoring streamer prestige slates and driving critical acclaim.

• Author-driven prestige projects, such as Hulu’s The Witches of Cambridge, signaling platforms’ investment in literary and genre expansion.

• Innovative format experimentation, such as Disney’s vertical, phone-first series and Peacock’s Bride Wars reimagination, embracing evolving viewer habits.

• Hybrid release models optimizing episodic pacing and binge viewing to maximize engagement.

• Scheduling shakeups reflecting ongoing volatility amid platform consolidation and strategic recalibration.

• Showrunner transparency and data-informed renewals fostering audience retention and trust.

• Diversity initiatives and talent mobility enriching casting pipelines and storytelling authenticity.

• Strategic global partnerships enhancing international content flows.

Together, these converging trends confirm a television ecosystem where creative ownership, star power, franchise-first strategies, and format innovation interlace to deliver a sophisticated blend of familiar franchises and fresh narratives across multiplatform pipelines. Far from stagnation, the 2026 season embodies a dynamic evolution at the creative and commercial frontiers of modern television.