SOME OF THE BEST NETWORK TV SHOWS (BECAUSE THEY DESERVE GOLD STARS)
When it comes to television shows, the way we consume them is now no longer about parking ourselves in front of the TV at 8 pm or we miss what is about to go down in the latest episode. Network TV is no longer the way to go as streaming is the only cool thing now. Still, there are some good shows on network TV, so let’s look at some of the best network TV shows airing on TV now. With these rules in place, let’s get to the feature.
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It may no longer be the thing to do or the way to enjoy our favorite television stories, but we do have to admit that network TV introduced us to some of the best of the best! It was there that we met a group of 20-somethings trying to figure things out; how we learned that the Navy has their own branch of law dedicated to keeping order; and it was through this medium we first saw what a force Jennifer Garner could be. So, yes, even if no one (in a big picture way) cares about network TV dramas anymore, they still deserve some love.
SOME OF THE BEST NETWORK TV SHOWS (BECAUSE THEY DESERVE GOLD STARS). #FallTV #TVShows #Matlock #NCIS #HighPotential #Tracker #TVDrama Share on XSo this is the goal, but we still have rules and so here we will share those. Part of the rules we set up for this list is to only look at TV shows that are currently still airing and we will only feature shows that have a 7 (of ten) or higher user rating. This all in mind, let us introduce you to some of the best network TV shows.
BEST NEWORK TV SHOWS
9-1-1, abc
Debuting in 2018 and having quite the character death last season! The show revolves around emergency responders and the scary, high cost jobs they step into. 9–1-1 also inspired a spin off which is 9-1-1: Nashville which will mark Chris O’Donnell’s first big role post NCIS: Los Angeles and will additionally feature Kimberley Williams-Paisley and LeAnn Rimes.
The show will return October 9 and will continue to air on Thursday nights for its ninth season.
Stream the currently available seasons now on Hulu
ABBOTT ELEMENTARY, abc
This is a comedy that tells the stories of a group of teachers who have a single goal, which is to help their students. The show has an impressive 8+ user rating and is heading into a fifth season!
The show will return October 1 and will continue to air Wednesday nights for its third season.
Stream, at publication, with Hulu; season five will stream next day
the CHICAGO-VERSE, nbc
Some of the most popular dramas is what is commonly known as the Chicago-verse. The stories follow emergency personnel in Chicago and the world includes Chicago Fire; Chicago P.D.; and Chicago Med. The shows have lots of crossover opportunities set in the same city and featuring characters in professions dedicated to protect and serve.
The shows will return October 1 and will continue to air on Wednesday nights for their respective fourteenth, thirteenth and eleventh seasons.
Stream the currently available seasons now on Peacock
ELSBETH, cbs
This follows an “unconventional” attorney who works with the NYPD to capture criminals. About to enter its third season, Elsbeth is one of the more popular recent(ish) dramas to debut and has Carrie Preston and Wendell Pierce in the top billed roles.
The show will return October 12 and will continue to air Sunday nights for its third season.
Stream, at publication, with Paramount+; season three will stream next day
FBI, cbs
A show that had two spinoffs, this Dick Wolf drama explores how an FBI team solves cases and the inner workings of the team. The show still has its lead two stars 100+ episodes in and boasts a 7.1 average rating (with 27k ratings) and is about to head into its eighth season.
The show will return October 13 and will continue to air on Monday night for its eighth season
Stream, at publication, seasons one – seven with Paramount+; season eight will stream next day
GEORGIE and MANDY’S FIRST MARRIAGE, cbs
This one is a spin off from a spin off, and doesn’t have the impressive user ratings of other comedies on our list. It has a 7 which just barely makes it on our list. But it’s about a young couple who try and make a life for themselves while raising their child. Montana Jordan stars as Georgie and Emily Osment as Mandy.
The show will return October 16 and will continue to air Thursday nights for its second season.
Stream, at publication, with Paramount+; season two will stream next day
GHOSTS, cbs
A show inspired by a British comedy, this one has Rose McIver and Utkarsh Ambudkar playing a couple who end up inheriting an old house that they come to discover is haunted by ghosts! This upends their plan to turn this stately home into a business.
The show will return October 16 and will continue to air Thursday nights for its fifth season.
Stream, at publication, with Paramount+; season five will stream next day
GREY’S ANATOMY, abc
A long standing medical drama, this isn’t a show I’ve ever seen nor do I plan to in spite of its 8.0 user rating. Medical dramas and I don’t get along, but this has been a solid lead role for Ellen Pompeo even with her limited role in latter seasons. It also introduced fans to the fan favorite McDreamy who is Dr. Derek Shepherd, a role that Patrick Dempsey played. The show also had, through the years, stars like Katherine Heigl, Eric Dane, Sarah Drew and Sandra Oh. Just as a note, yes, there are other (new) medical dramas that have high user ratings, too. However, this ABC drama has the higher ratings and it’s also the longest running which gives it seniority.
The show will return October 9 and will continue to air on Thursday night for its twenty-second season
Stream, at publication, with Hulu; season twenty-two will stream next day
HIGH POTENTIAL, abc
A new 2024 drama from ABC, this made a splash in its debut and it’s not hard to see why. The show is immensely entertaining and Kaitlin Olson’s leading lady is incredibly fun and sassy, not to mention clever. The show is playing with a long-standing villain character now which I don’t love (from years of TV experience, I have a bad feeling about him being a menace) but if the show goes back to the weekly cases, it still has a favorite place on my list.
The show returned on September 16 and will continue to air on Tuesday night for its second season.
Stream, at publication, with Hulu; season two will stream next day
LAW and ORDER, nbc
Running since 1990 (albeit with a break from 2010 – 2021), this show (like others on this list) change out the characters and the faces who play them, but the Dick Wolf drama is still running and brings back favorite characters now and then. The show once featured stars like Chis Noth, Angie Harmon and Jesse L. Martin, and is currently featuring Hugh Dancy.
The show will return September 25 and will continue to air on Thursday night for its twenty-fifth season
Stream, at publication, seasons one – twenty with Hulu and select seasons with Peacock; season twenty-five will stream next day
SOME OF THE BEST NETWORK TV SHOWS (BECAUSE THEY DESERVE GOLD STARS). #FallTV #TVShows #Matlock #NCIS #LawandOrder #AbbottElementary #TVDrama Share on XLAW and ORDER: SPECIAL VICTIMS UNIT, nbc
Another long-standing show, this one is about to drop its twenty-seventh season. The show is home to the Stabler and Benson will-they-or-won’t they romance.
The show will return September 25 and will continue to air on Thursday night for its twenty-seventh season
Stream, at publication, select seasons with Hulu and seasons one – twenty-six with Peacock; season twenty-seven will stream next day
MATLOCK, cbs
Kathy Bates leads this playing a savvy and mysterious lead who gets a job at a law firm with some secretive motives. The show, despite its title, isn’t a remake of the 80s drama Matlock with Andy Griffith but rather is about a character inspired by Griffith’s Matlock character.
The show will return October 12 and will continue to air Sunday night for its second season
Stream, at publication, with Paramount+; season two will stream next day
NCIS, cbs
With 178k reviews that give the show a 7.8 average user rating, NCIS is one of the rare scripted shows that still pulls decent viewer ratings. It too has dropped, but it still remains a favorite drama with a loyal fanbase. This show spun off from JAG, but it has its own impressive group of spin off titles which, including cancelled titles, numbers five, six if you count a now running streaming exclusive. This is also one of the longest-running dramas on TV, and centers on a group of Navel Criminal Investigators (led for many seasons by the now retired Gibbs character played by Mark Harmon) who solve dangerous crimes.
The show will return October 14 and will continue to air on Tuesday nights for its twenty-third season
Stream, at publication, seasons one – twenty-two with Paramount+; season twenty-three will stream next day
NCIS: ORIGINS, cbs
This is a prequel show about to enter only its second year and is about Special Agent Gibbs in his early years of his career. Gibbs is, of course, the team leader we first meet in the first season (and he remains for nineteen seasons) of NCIS and is played by Mark Harmon. In this 90s set drama, Austin Stowell plays Gibbs. The drama recounts the how of who Gibbs is and how be becomes the brilliant team leader that leads NCIS for nearly 20 years.
The show will return October 14 and will continue to air on Tuesday nights for its second season
Stream, at publication, season one with Paramount+; season two will stream next day
THE ROOKIE, abc
Following his run on ABC’s Castle, Nathan Fillion booked this ABC drama role about a man who pursues being a cop only to be underestimated given he’s their oldest “rookie” applicant. The show has been running since 2018 and some of its additional cast members includes Alyssa Diaz, Eric Winter, Richard T.Joes and Melissa O’Neil. Jenna Dewan also joined in a later season.
The show will return in 2026. Stream, at publication, with Hulu; season eight will stream next day
TRACKER, cbs
A baby show by comparison, Tracker is set to return for its third season and has Justin Hartley in the titular occupation role. The former This is Us star plays a wanderer who travels from place to place trying to find missing people who have family or friends offering rewards for their safe return. The drama, at least for me, is a surprise hit drama that deserves a watch. It also introduces us to a unique and compelling hero.
The show will return October 19 and will continue to air on Sunday nights for its third season
Stream, at publication, season one through two on Paramount+; season three will stream next day
MORE SHOWS with a 7+ USER RATING
- Fire Country
- St. Denis Medical
- Will Trent
Photos: Alamy Stock Photos | ABC Entertainment Press / Disney
Have you or do you regularly watch any of these? What do you consider the best network TV shows? Which titles would you add? How many of the stars featuring in this do you thing are talented? Comment all of your thoughts below. Let’s talk.
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I just started watching High Potential and am really enjoying it.
I watch and agree with you about Abbott Elementary, Elsbeth and Ghosts as well. Great shows.
I haven’t seen Abbott Elementary or Elsbeth BUT I was going off user ratings (7 or higher) so I know many love those. I did enjoy what I’ve seen of Ghosts but it’s been a while now. High Potential is very entertaining so I’m eager to see where that goes in S2. :)