ABC is airing repeats of 9-1-1, 9-1-1: Nashville, and Rj Decker tonight, April 16, 2026, as confirmed by the network’s programming schedule. The decision to broadcast reruns stems from the network’s need to clear its primetime lineup for a major sports event later in the week.
The April 23 time block — normally reserved for ABC’s Thursday night dramas — will be occupied by the 2026 NFL Draft, which begins at 8 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, April 23, and runs through Saturday, April 25. This scheduling conflict necessitates temporary adjustments to ABC’s regular scripted programming.
According to verified TV listings and network announcements, the 2026 NFL Draft will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with events taking place at Point State Park and Acrisure Stadium. The draft marks the 91st edition of the annual NFL player selection process and returns to Pittsburgh for the first time since 1948.
ABC, along with ESPN and NFL Network, will provide live coverage of the draft. The broadcast will begin with the first round on Thursday at 8 p.m. ET, continue with Rounds 2 and 3 on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, and conclude with Rounds 4 through 7 on Saturday at noon ET. These time slots directly overlap with ABC’s usual primetime drama schedule.
ABC has opted to air reruns of its current scripted shows to maintain audience engagement without producing new episodes that would travel unaired or be displaced. The network confirmed that 9-1-1, its spin-off 9-1-1: Nashville, and the reality series Rj Decker will all be shown in repeat format on April 16.
This approach allows ABC to preserve the integrity of its weekly programming cycle while accommodating a high-profile, multi-day sports event that draws significant national viewership. The NFL Draft is one of the most-watched non-Sunday sports events on television, often attracting millions of viewers across broadcast and streaming platforms.
Viewers seeking new episodes of Grey’s Anatomy or 9-1-1 will need to wait until after the draft concludes. Based on the network’s current scheduling patterns, new episodes are expected to return the following week, though ABC has not yet announced specific return dates for either series beyond confirming that reruns will air on April 16.
The decision reflects a common practice among broadcast networks when major live events — such as award shows, sports championships, or political broadcasts — require preemption of regular programming. By airing reruns, networks avoid disrupting production schedules while still providing familiar content to their audience.
For fans of Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1, the rerun broadcast serves as a placeholder until the NFL Draft concludes and regular programming resumes. No official statements have indicated delays to storylines, production halts, or cast changes related to this scheduling shift.
As of now, the April 16 reruns are the only confirmed programming adjustment tied to the draft’s impact on ABC’s lineup. Fans are encouraged to check the network’s official schedule for updates on when new episodes will return.
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