By Juli Scarr
Global is closing out 2025 and moving into January with a busy primetime schedule. The next few weeks bring season finales, holiday specials, and several new and returning series. It is the kind of stretch where your watchlist can fill up quickly.
The window from December 16, 2025 to January 15, 2026 covers the holiday break and the return to regular weekly viewing. You will see major competition shows wrapping up, scripted series pausing and restarting, and new premieres landing as January gets underway. If you like planning ahead, this breakdown covers everything coming to Global during this primetime stretch.
If you want a broader look beyond this window, Global has also shared its full winter 2026 TV premiere schedule, covering new and returning series through March.
Season Finales to Close Out 2025
December ends with a few notable season finales before the holiday break settles in.
Survivor
Season Finale
Airs: Wednesday, December 17 at 8 p.m. (three-hour episode)
Episode: “A Fever Dream”
The episode brings the season to a close as castaways face final challenges and last decisions on the path to the Sole Survivor title.
The Road
Season Finale
Airs: Sunday, December 21 at 9:30 p.m. ET / 9 p.m. PT
Episode: “Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN”
The series follows emerging musicians competing for a chance to open for Keith Urban, with each stop shaping who advances.
Fall Finales Across the Week
Several fall series wrap up their storylines just before the holidays.
NCIS
Fall Finale
Airs: Tuesday, December 16 at 8 p.m.
Episode: “Heaven and Nature”
The case centres on a stolen truck meant for a Navy Christmas drive, while personal threads reach important turning points.
NCIS: Sydney
Fall Finale
Airs: Tuesday, December 16 at 9 p.m.
Episode: “South of Nowhere”
The team heads to an Antarctica research base under extreme conditions.
Ghosts
Fall Finale
Airs: Thursday, December 18 at 9 p.m. (one-hour episode)
Episode: “It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol”
Sam’s Christmas Eve TV interview takes an unexpected turn, while Trevor and Patience bond over not being in the holiday spirit.
Elsbeth
Fall Finale
Airs: Thursday, December 18 at 10 p.m.
Episode: “A Hard Nut to Crack”
When a Nutcracker rehearsal turns deadly, Elsbeth steps into the high-pressure world of New York ballet.
Sheriff Country
Fall Finale
Airs: Friday, December 19 at 8 p.m.
Episode: “Crucible, Part I”
Mickey investigates allegations tied to a secluded ranch and uncovers dangerous secrets that lead to a confrontation.
Fire Country
Fall Finale
Airs: Friday, December 19 at 9 p.m.
Episode: “Who Owns the Dirt”
A red flag warning sets up a volatile day, and a turf war reaches a breaking point.
Crime Beat
Fall Finale
Airs: Friday, December 19 at 10 p.m.
Episode: “Manhunt (Kelly McKeown)”
The episode focuses on Canada’s most wanted fugitives and the efforts to track them down.
Holiday Specials Worth Catching
Global’s holiday schedule sticks with familiar comfort viewing.
Saturday Night Live Christmas Special
Holiday Special
Airs: Thursday, December 18 at 7 p.m.
The special brings together holiday-themed sketches from across the show’s history.
Hollywood Squares Holiday Special
Holiday Special
Airs: Saturday, December 21 at 8:30 p.m. (one-hour, two-episode special)
Episodes: “Part One: Santa’s Got a Little Game” / “Part Two: Hand This Man a Candy Cane”
Hosted by Drew Barrymore, the episodes feature celebrity guests and seasonal twists on the classic game show format.
Series and Season Premieres in January
January brings several premieres as regular programming resumes.
The Wall
Season Premiere
Airs: Monday, January 5 at 9 p.m.
The game show returns with high cash stakes and unpredictable outcomes, as teams answer questions and watch the wall decide the total.
Hollywood Squares
Season Premiere
Airs: Wednesday, January 7 at 8 p.m.
Drew Barrymore returns as the centre square as contestants play tic-tac-toe using celebrity answers.
Harlan Coben’s Final Twist
Series Premiere
Airs: Wednesday, January 7 at 10 p.m.
The new true-crime series brings bestselling author Harlan Coben into unscripted television for the first time, guiding viewers through cases with interviews and archival material.
Family Law
Season Premiere
Airs: Thursday, January 8 at 9 p.m.
Episode: “Fami-lease”
The case introduces a dispute involving inheritance and chosen family.
Winter Premieres and New Episodes
Several winter premieres arrive in early January.
Doc
Winter Premiere
Airs: Tuesday, January 6 at 9 p.m.
Episode: “Chief”
Abbott Elementary
Winter Premiere
Airs: Wednesday, January 7 at 9 p.m.
Episode: “Mall”
9-1-1
Winter Premiere
Airs: Thursday, January 8 at 8 p.m.
Episode: “Secrets”
New episodes continue through mid-January for Abbott Elementary, Harlan Coben’s Final Twist, Doc, Family Law, and 9-1-1, keeping weeknights full as schedules settle back in.
All-New Primetime Episodes and Late Night
Saturday Night Live
All-New Episode
Airs: Saturday, December 20 at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT
Ariana Grande hosts, with Cher as the musical guest.
60 Minutes
All-New Episodes
Airs: Sunday, December 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Airs: Sunday, January 4 at 7:30 p.m. ET / 7 p.m. PT
Airs: Sunday, January 11 at 7 p.m.
New episodes continue with investigative reports, interviews, and profiles of people in the news.
The Paper
All-New Episodes
Airs: Monday, December 22 at 8:30 p.m. (Episode: “I Love You”)
Airs: Monday, January 5 at 8:30 p.m. (Episode: “Church and State”)
Airs: Monday, January 12 at 8:30 p.m. (Episode: “Matching Ponchos”)
The series continues through the period with newsroom stories and ongoing conflicts.
The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
All-New Nightly Episodes
Airs: Monday, December 15 to Thursday, December 18 at 12:05 a.m.
Airs: Monday, January 5 to Thursday, January 8 at 12:05 a.m.
Airs: Monday, January 12 to Thursday, January 15 at 12:05 a.m.
New episodes continue across the holiday break window with interviews, comedy, and musical guests.
What’s Worth Adding to Your Watchlist
This stretch of Global’s schedule offers a steady mix. Survivor and The Road wrap up their seasons just before the holidays. Scripted series take a short break, then return with new episodes and premieres in January.
If you want finales, mid-December has several worth catching. If you are looking for something new, Harlan Coben’s Final Twist is one of January’s biggest additions. For familiar viewing, shows like Hollywood Squares, Abbott Elementary, and Family Law help ease the move back into weekly routines.
What are you watching first, the finales before the holidays or the January premieres?