The 2026 midterm elections are altering the usual primetime schedule as voters decide all 435 seats in the House, 35 Senate seats and gubernatorial races in 36 states. Several broadcasters will replace regular programming with election coverage, while Fox’s broadcast network plans to keep two shows on its schedule.
ABC’s “Election Night: Vote 2026” begins at 7 p.m. ET, with David Muir leading coverage through 2 a.m. ET. The special will also feature reporting from ABC News journalists including Mary Bruce, Linsey Davis, Jonathan Karl, Martha Raddatz, Rachel Scott and Pierre Thomas. Viewers can stream the primetime coverage on Disney+ and Hulu.
CBS starts “America Decides: Election 2026” at 7 p.m. ET, co-anchored by Tony Dokoupil and Norah O’Donnell. Gayle King, Margaret Brennan and other CBS News political reporters will contribute. Election coverage is also available throughout the day on CBS News 24/7 via CBSNews.com, the CBS News app, YouTube and Paramount+.
Fox’s broadcast network will not carry midterm election coverage. “Best Medicine” and “Doc” are scheduled to air at 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. ET, respectively.
NBC’s “Decision ’26” begins at 5 p.m. ET, with most stations joining at 6:30 p.m. Hallie Jackson will lead the initial coverage, followed by primetime coverage with Savannah Guthrie, Tom Llamas, Kristen Welker and Jackson. Chief data analyst Steve Kornacki will also appear. Peacock will offer a multiview option for NBC’s coverage starting at 5:30 p.m. ET.
Among cable channels, CNN’s “Election Night in America” starts at 4 p.m. ET, with Jake Tapper and Anderson Cooper co-anchoring from Washington, D.C. MS NOW begins its primetime coverage at 6 p.m. ET, led by Rachel Maddow. Fox News Channel’s “Democracy 26,” co-anchored by Bret Baier and Martha MacCallum, also starts at 6 p.m. ET.
Sources: TVLine.