Thank God ABC Is Making Up For 9-1-1’s Most Infuriating Mistake In 2025

After a disastrous decision in 2025, thankfully, ABC has learned its lesson and is making amends in 9-1-1 season 9. Bobby's unexpected death in the procedural drastically changed the course of the show. While the 118 and Athena are trying their best to move forward and fulfill their responsibilities, there's a void in the cast that can never be filled, unless Peter Krause miraculously returns to the procedural.

The chances of that happening are very small to none, at this point. Granted that some are still holding onto hope that he might be alive, 9-1-1 season 9 has already made it clear that Bobby is gone. However, at least showrunner Tim Minear had a clear explanation for killing off the character. Whether the reason behind the tragedy was justified or not is still up for debate, but there was one decision from ABC in 2025 regarding the show that left many scratching their heads.

ABC Doesn't Significantly Delay 9-1-1's Winter 2026 Return (Unlike In 2025)

When 9-1-1 season 8 debuted in September 2024, the show only released eight episodes before the procedural went on its annual winter hiatus. Admittedly, this wasn't out of the norm, as this schedule remained pretty much the same during the 2025-2026 TV cycle.

What was baffling, however, was how ABC delayed its return to March 2025, which meant that 9-1-1 season 8 was off the air for three months. Usually, network shows come back around January to February. This year, ABC is bringing back its more traditional winter schedule, which means that while 9-1-1 season 9 went on hiatus before Thanksgiving, it is already slated to release new episodes during the second week of January — January 8, 2026, to be exact.

Returning earlier than last year indicates that shorter hiatuses, around a week or two, for the rest of the cycle will be slotted in, but arguably, this is better than keeping viewers waiting for around 90 days in between new outings. This way, ABC can still balance the workload of the cast and crew with its programming plan.

Why 9-1-1 Season 8's Odd Scheduling Was Detrimental To Its Success

9-1-1 season 8 will always be remembered as Bobby's final year with the 118. Delaying its winter return made it feel like by the time the show came back for new episodes in 2025, viewers had very little time left with Krause's beloved character. Instead, if ABC stuck to the more traditional winter scheduling, it would have given the illusion of a longer time spent building up to the "Contagion" special, even though the number of episodes were the same.

In general, that long of a break in the middle of a season is never ideal, as the extended break derails its storytelling momentum. It's important to note that ABC also subjected other scripted shows to this scheme, such as Grey's Anatomy and the short-lived Doctor Odyssey. It's just that it's more prominent with 9-1-1, considering how busy the back half of season 8 eventually became. Luckily, it isn't happening this year.

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