Legends of tomorrow: Prepare to stay in this fall with The CW’s new lineup

You’re probably having way too much fun enjoying the summer right now to even be considering the colder months, but there are some things worth getting excited for when the temperature drops – TV time with your snack blanket. See? We know you so well. The CW has just announced its 2018 fall schedule and it’s definitely worth cosying up and staying in for. As well as a couple of exciting new TV shows, October also sees the return of countless CW favorites. Prepare your calendars, ladies and gentlemen, because here are some essential TV dates you’re definitely going to want to remember.

The CW's Evolving Programming Strategy

The CW once built its brand on buzzy original scripted series, but the network has moved toward a leaner model. Under Nexstar ownership the emphasis sits on encores, acquired titles, sports, and game shows rather than new hour-long dramas. The 2026-27 slate reflects that shift, with profitability now guiding decisions more than prestige programming. Viewers still find familiar faces on the schedule, yet the nights look different from the era when a superhero drama could anchor an entire evening block.

Sports and Live Events on The CW

Live sports now occupy a larger slice of the weekly lineup. WWE NXT airs regularly, giving wrestling fans a consistent Tuesday destination. NASCAR and the Professional Bull Riders team series also appear in the 2026 calendar, bringing weekend audiences that value real-time competition. These programs deliver predictable ratings without the cost of developing new scripted content, which explains their growing presence on the network.

Game Shows and Light Entertainment

Game shows have returned as reliable appointment viewing. Scrabble comes back with host Craig Ferguson for a second season, while Trivial Pursuit features LeVar Burton and also returns midseason. Both series premiere in the 2026 stretch that follows the traditional fall launch window. Their accessible format and quick pacing suit viewers who want something light after a long day without committing to ongoing story arcs.

All American's Final Season

Among the remaining scripted originals, All American stands out as one of the last. Its eighth and final season begins in July 2026, closing a run that started on the network eight years earlier. The series followed high-school football players navigating college recruitment and personal stakes, and its conclusion marks a quiet endpoint for the kind of CW drama that once defined fall premieres.

The Flash

The Flash ended after its ninth season premiered in February 2023. The abbreviated run wrapped the long-running series without a tenth season or any 2018-style fall return. For longtime viewers the show remains a touchstone of the network’s earlier identity, when superhero stories anchored the schedule and October premieres felt like annual events. Its absence now highlights how much the lineup has changed since those years.