After two seasons on ABC,9-1-1will make history as a franchise in fall 2025. There have already been series-defining moments this year for the first-responder drama, including killing off Peter Krause’s Bobby Nash and being one of thebiggest Emmy snubs of 2025. While9-1-1must deal with some crushing blows, another upcoming series demands just as much attention.
The Tennessee spinoff of9-1-1was confirmed shortly after theend of9-1-1: Lone Star, the franchise’s first spinoff. In contrast to the Texas-based title,9-1-1: Nashvillewill join the original on ABC. Yet, despite9-1-1’s previous slot on Fox’s schedule,the flagship series was never fully in-sync with its spinoff, a fate9-1-1: Nashvillehopes to change for itself.
9-1-1 & 9-1-1: Nashville Will Air Back-To-Back From Start To Finish
As9-1-1begins season 9’s bittersweet filming, the Nashville spinoff is developing its pilot season. Luckily for both series,the franchise titles will air together on ABC’s primetime Thursday night schedule. Both9-1-1and9-1-1: Nashvillewill premiere May 25, 2025, airing back-to-back all season long. Furthermore, ABC’s scheduling proves9-1-1: Nashvillewill be more connected to the flagship series.
While there was occasional overlap and a notable crossover episode, Fox always saved9-1-1: Lone Starfor its winter programming.
Despite running on the same network for years,9-1-1: Lone Starnever synced up with its predecessor for an entire season. While there was occasional overlap and a notable crossover episode, Fox always saved9-1-1: Lone Starfor its winter programming. Consequently, by the time a new season of the Texas-based spinoff premiered,9-1-1was already approaching its midpoint.
9-1-1 & 9-1-1: Nashville Airing As A Block Is Good For The Franchise
Beyond Ratings, It’s Good For The Franchise’s Shared Universe
While airing together offers an obvious set-up for crossover episodes, the two9-1-1titles running back-to-back has larger implications for the franchise. Having9-1-1lead directly into9-1-1: Nashvillewill help establish a much-needed shared universe. Whether storylines touch on similar themes or explore entirely different niches,ABC’s block schedule will solidify the9-1-1franchise as a cohesive unit.
New episodes of9-1-1and9-1-1: Nashvillewill air on Hulu after their ABC premiere.
Of course, there’s also a clear practical advantage to having the new spinoff follow the original. ABC has already begun rolling outpromotional material for9-1-1: Nashville, but airing after the flagship series will give millions of fans the opportunity to watch the spinoff in a casual, low-stakes environment, since all they have to do is not change the channel.
Thankfully, ABC’s fall schedule already improves9-1-1: Nashville’s chance of successif other spinoffs are anything to go by.Franchises likeOne ChicagoandNCISoften air consecutively, helping to demonstrate that spinoffs exist at the same general time and place as the original. Regardless of what happens in Nashville, it’s always just five states away from the 118 in9-1-1.
