9-1-1 Will Make History On ABC With A Franchise First After 7 Years

After two seasons on ABC, 9-1-1 will 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 the biggest Emmy snubs of 2025. While 9-1-1 must deal with some crushing blows, another upcoming series demands just as much attention.

The Tennessee spinoff of 9-1-1 was confirmed shortly after the end of 9-1-1: Lone Star, the franchise’s first spinoff. In contrast to the Texas-based title, 9-1-1: Nashville will join the original on ABC. Yet, despite 9-1-1’s previous slot on Fox’s schedule, the flagship series was never fully in-sync with its spinoff, a fate 9-1-1: Nashville hopes to change for itself.

9-1-1 & 9-1-1: Nashville Will Air Back-To-Back From Start To Finish

The Flagship Will Lead Directly Into The New Spinoff

Buck, Hen, Bobby Nash, and Eddie in 9-1-1

As 9-1-1 begins 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. Both 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville will premiere October 9, 2025, airing back-to-back all season long. Furthermore, ABC’s scheduling proves 9-1-1: Nashville will be more connected to the flagship series.

While there was occasional overlap and a notable crossover episode, Fox always saved 9-1-1: Lone Star for its winter programming.

Despite running on the same network for years, 9-1-1: Lone Star never synced up with its predecessor for an entire season. While there was occasional overlap and a notable crossover episode, Fox always saved 9-1-1: Lone Star for its winter programming. Consequently, by the time a new season of the Texas-based spinoff premiered, 9-1-1 was 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

Judd, Owen Strand, Buck, Hen, and Eddie in the 9-1-1: Lone Star crossover

While airing together offers an obvious set-up for crossover episodes, the two 9-1-1 titles running back-to-back has larger implications for the franchise. Having 9-1-1 lead directly into 9-1-1: Nashville will help establish a much-needed shared universe. Whether storylines touch on similar themes or explore entirely different niches, ABC’s block schedule will solidify the 9-1-1 franchise as a cohesive unit.

Of course, there’s also a clear practical advantage to having the new spinoff follow the original. ABC has already begun rolling out promotional material for 9-1-1: 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 improves 9-1-1: Nashville’s chance of success if other spinoffs are anything to go by. Franchises like One Chicago and NCIS often 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 in 9-1-1.