The holiday season is just getting started, but we still have a ways to go when it comes to the television season for at least one network. CBS is holding back its television programming schedule in January 2026, so for shows like FBI, it will be a longer wait to see more episodes.
FBI season 8 is already on hiatus, after airing a two-hour fall finale episode on Monday, Dec. 15. The episode focused on an accelerationist group that targeted the city’s infrastructure, leaving one agent’s son in danger.
It was a heavy episode that left many wondering just how far Jeremy Sisto’s Jubal Valentine would go in order to avenge his son, who luckily survived his injuries in an explosion. Season 8 has been a wild ride for the series so far. This includes new agent Eva Ramos (Juliana Aiden Martinez) entering the picture and Isobel Castillo (Ana de La Garza) returning to work after suffering injuries in the season 7 finale during an attack on the field office.
Plus, the agents’ personal lives have also come to the forefront in some cases, such as when OA Zidan (Zeeko Zaki) parted ways with his girlfriend. It’s made for some exciting television, and fans have been enjoying the season so far. But CBS is not returning with new episodes anytime soon.
FBI season 8 won't air in January 2026 but we do have a return date
The CBS programming schedule won’t include new episodes from FBI season 8 for January 2026, unlike other networks such as ABC and FOX. This decision is likely due to the 2026 Olympic Winter Games, which is airing on NBC in the middle of February. CBS likely is making the decision to avoid having too many breaks in between episodes so they don’t compete for views.
This will also mean that once the shows do come back in mid-February, the network will avoid having to make extra space between episodes. This is to ensure their episodes do not finish too early before the television season ends in May 2026.
For FBI season 8 specifically, this means we won’t have new episodes until after the Games end on Sunday, Feb. 22. So even though it’s a longer wait, it will be worth it for fans who have been eager for the television season to restart.
FBI season 8 is scheduled to return to television on Monday, Feb. 23, at 9/8c. While we wait for new episodes, you can catch up on the season on Paramount+.
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