The ABC schedule tonight brings viewers a mix of top-rated drama, live competition, and late-night entertainment, continuing the network’s strong winter lineup. On Tuesday, December 10, 2025, ABC’s primetime schedule features new episodes of The Rookie: CTU, Abbott Elementary, and the fan-favorite Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Special.
Here’s a full breakdown of tonight’s ABC programming — including primetime shows, local news, and late-night favorites — all verified for the U.S. national broadcast schedule.
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ABC Primetime Schedule for Tuesday, December 10, 2025
ABC’s Tuesday night schedule features three major segments: family-friendly comedies in the early evening, high-stakes drama during prime hours, and live entertainment to close out the night.
Full Lineup (Eastern Time):
| Time (ET) | Program | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM | Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Special | A festive, one-night special featuring celebrity performances themed around the holidays. Hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro and Julianne Hough. |
| 9:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Abbott Elementary (New Episode) | The award-winning workplace comedy returns with a new episode featuring the teachers preparing for the annual winter showcase. |
| 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM | The Rookie: CTU | Nathan Fillion leads a new, suspense-filled episode as the team faces a high-stakes cybercrime case. |
This schedule remains consistent for most U.S. regions, though some local ABC affiliates may adjust broadcast times for regional sports or special news coverage.
8:00 PM – Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Special
ABC kicks off the evening with a cheerful twist on one of its most successful franchises. Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Special brings back fan-favorite contestants from the latest season for a one-night competition celebrating the spirit of the holidays.
Highlights of tonight’s broadcast include:
- Performances featuring live orchestral music and themed choreography.
- Guest appearances by celebrity alumni from past seasons.
- A special closing number choreographed by Derek Hough.
The episode, filmed earlier this month at Hollywood’s Television City, is expected to draw strong ratings as viewers tune in for lighthearted entertainment ahead of the winter holidays.
9:00 PM – Abbott Elementary (New Episode)
At 9:00 PM, the night continues with a brand-new episode of Abbott Elementary, ABC’s hit comedy created by and starring Quinta Brunson.
In tonight’s episode, titled “Snow Day Dilemma,” the teachers of Abbott Elementary prepare for their winter talent show, only to face unexpected snow-related chaos. The episode promises a mix of heartfelt moments and the sharp humor that has made the series a critical and audience favorite.
Abbott Elementary continues to dominate ABC’s comedy lineup, earning multiple Emmy Awards and maintaining high viewership throughout its fourth season.
Cast Highlights:
- Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues
- Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie
- Janelle James as Ava Coleman
- Sheryl Lee Ralph as Barbara Howard
Tonight’s new episode airs at 9:00 PM ET, followed by streaming availability on Hulu beginning Wednesday morning.
10:00 PM – The Rookie: CTU
Closing out primetime, ABC airs a new episode of The Rookie: CTU, the latest addition to its expanding crime-drama universe. Starring Nathan Fillion, this spinoff focuses on cybercrime investigations handled by an elite federal task force.
Tonight’s episode, titled “Firewall,” follows Officer John Nolan and his team as they uncover a ransomware plot threatening national infrastructure. Expect intense action, smart storytelling, and the show’s signature balance between suspense and character-driven drama.
Episode Highlights:
- A guest appearance by Mekia Cox reprising her role as Nyla Harper.
- New character development for the team’s tech analyst, played by Brandon Jay McLaren.
- A cliffhanger ending setting up next week’s midseason finale.
The Rookie: CTU continues to perform strongly in the 10 PM slot, holding its place as one of ABC’s top-rated dramas of 2025.
Local News and Late-Night Lineup
Following primetime programming, ABC’s local affiliates broadcast regional newscasts, featuring weather updates, sports recaps, and community headlines.
11:00 PM – Local News (Varies by Region)
Each affiliate provides up-to-the-minute coverage of local stories across the U.S. Check your local listings for details in your time zone.
11:35 PM – Jimmy Kimmel Live!
At 11:35 PM ET, Jimmy Kimmel Live! brings comedy and celebrity interviews straight from Los Angeles. Tonight’s episode features:
- Guest 1: Chris Evans discussing his upcoming film.
- Guest 2: Olivia Rodrigo performing a live version of her new single.
- Comedy Segment: “Mean Tweets: Holiday Edition.”
Kimmel’s show remains a cornerstone of ABC’s late-night programming, continuing its mix of humor, pop culture, and topical commentary.
ABC Late-Night Schedule (Eastern Time)
| Time | Program | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 PM | Local News | Regional coverage and updates. |
| 11:35 PM – 12:37 AM | Jimmy Kimmel Live! | Celebrity interviews and comedy segments. |
| 12:37 AM – 1:05 AM | Nightline | ABC News’ in-depth nightly program covering current events. |
Nightline continues its tradition of providing serious journalism and analysis, offering viewers a late-night perspective on breaking stories and cultural topics.
ABC’s Tuesday Night Viewership in 2025
Tuesday nights have consistently ranked among ABC’s strongest lineup days throughout 2025. The combination of Abbott Elementary’s comedy appeal, The Rookie: CTU’s dramatic tension, and event specials like Dancing with the Stars: Holiday Edition keep ABC highly competitive in the 8–11 PM block.
ABC has also maintained strong streaming performance through Hulu, where all its major series are available the day after broadcast. This hybrid viewing model has helped the network reach younger audiences while maintaining strong live-TV ratings.
Where to Watch and Stream Tonight’s ABC Shows
Viewers can tune in to the ABC schedule tonight on their local affiliate stations nationwide. For those who prefer streaming or on-demand viewing:
- ABC.com and the ABC app allow live streaming with a participating TV provider login.
- Hulu offers next-day streaming for all ABC primetime shows.
- YouTube TV, fuboTV, and Sling TV subscribers can also stream ABC live.
Check your local listings for broadcast times in Central, Mountain, and Pacific time zones, as some regions adjust for live or tape-delayed programming.
Upcoming ABC Programming This Week
ABC’s December schedule continues to deliver strong entertainment throughout the week. Upcoming highlights include:
- Wednesday, Dec. 11: The Conners and Not Dead Yet (new holiday episodes).
- Thursday, Dec. 12: Grey’s Anatomy midseason finale.
- Friday, Dec. 13: 20/20 year-end special report.
- Sunday, Dec. 15: America’s Funniest Home Videos holiday special.
These programs, alongside tonight’s lineup, mark one of ABC’s busiest viewing weeks of the 2025 winter television season.
From heartfelt comedy to thrilling drama and festive competition, the ABC schedule tonight has something for everyone. Which show are you tuning in for? Share your thoughts in the comments below!