Let’s be real: streaming may be trendy, but network TV still owns our hearts. It’s the place for weekly rituals, iconic characters, and that sweet mix of adrenaline, emotion, and comfort that keeps us coming back week after week.
From brilliant crime solvers to chaotic family dynamics, from rebooted classics to fresh originals, the best shows on network television right now are giving us everything. Whether you’re tuning in live or catching up on streaming, these 10 network shows are worth obsessing over!
1. High Potential (ABC)
This show is our ultimate comfort + chaos combo. Kaitlin Olson stars as a wildly intelligent but wildly unpredictable single mom who uses her incredible mind to solve crimes while raising her kids and navigating life. She’s messy, she’s brilliant, and she’s so easy to root for.
High Potential got mystery, humor, and just the right amount of heart to make you cry in the middle of a murder investigation. Every week is a new case and a new reason to fall in love with this show.
2. Tracker (CBS)
Justin Hartley in action? Yes please. This procedural follows a lone wolf tracker who helps families find missing loved ones, while also confronting his own complicated past. Each episode feels like its own movie—emotional, intense, and beautifully shot.
There’s something deeply satisfying about a hero who always finds a way, especially when it’s wrapped in this much heart and adrenaline.
3. Elsbeth (CBS)
A delightfully weird detective show? Sign us up. Elsbeth is unlike any procedural on TV. Carrie Preston brings her Emmy-winning magic to a character who’s part genius, part chaos, and entirely irresistible.
From the mind of The Good Wife creators, this show delivers clever cases, colorful characters, and the kind of offbeat tone we never knew we needed. It’s quirky procedural gold.
MORE: ‘High Potential’ Season 2 Adds Steve Howey And Promotes Kaitlin Olson
4. Matlock (CBS)
You don’t have to be a fan of the original to fall for the reboot. Matlock is classy, clever, and completely binge-worthy. With a lead who knows how to read a courtroom (and her opponents) like a book, it combines the comfort of legal drama with modern wit and tension.
It’s everything you love about old-school procedurals—but smarter and sleeker. A must for courtroom drama fans.
5. The Irrational (NBC)
Who knew behavioral science could be this exciting? Jesse L. Martin plays a psychology expert who consults on high-stakes cases, using human behavior to unlock the truth. And we’re obsessed.
This isn’t your average crime show. It’s smart, thoughtful, and full of those “aha!” moments that keep you hooked. It also has emotional weight and a lead who commands the screen every time he shows up.
6. Law & Order: SVU (NBC)
An icon. A legend. The moment. SVU is still one of the most powerful dramas on TV, and Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson continues to be a force of nature. Whether she’s fighting for victims or mentoring younger detectives, she brings heart, fire, and a moral compass we all aspire to.
SVU has evolved over time, but it never loses its edge or its impact. If you haven’t been watching lately, now’s the time to get back on board.
MORE: Law & Order: SVU Season 26 Episode 22 Review: ‘Post-Rage’
7. The Equalizer (CBS)
Queen Latifah as Robyn McCall is the powerful vigilante hero we never get tired of watching. The Equalizer continues to serve action, justice, and emotional depth in equal measure. Whether she’s taking down corrupt officials or protecting families in crisis, Robyn always finds a way—with smarts, style, and steel resolve.
What sets this show apart is its heart. Every mission feels personal, and every choice Robyn makes comes with real consequences. The found-family dynamic among her team adds warmth to the intensity, and we’ll never get over how satisfying it is to see her outsmart everyone in the room.
8. So Help Me Todd (CBS)
This show is pure chaotic joy. It’s a legal dramedy with a twist: a rule-following lawyer mom and her rule-breaking PI son. They solve cases, clash constantly, and somehow manage to grow closer in the most hilariously heartfelt ways.
The family dynamics are just as compelling as the legal cases. If you’re into messy families, sharp banter, and light procedural fun, this one’s a gem.
MORE: What We Want to See in ‘The Rookie’ Season 8
9. The Rookie (ABC)
The Rookie keeps delivering action-packed episodes filled with heart, humor, and unexpected twists. Nathan Fillion leads a cast of lovable misfits in a show that balances adrenaline with real emotional stakes. And Chenford is the best couple in TV right now!
We love how this series keeps evolving—with fresh characters, high-pressure scenarios, and moments that make us cry out of nowhere. Comfort TV with a punch.
10. 9-1-1 (ABC)
Every week, 9-1-1 delivers pure chaos—and we wouldn’t have it any other way. Earthquakes, explosions, near-death rescues, and a whole lot of heart. Now on ABC, the show hasn’t lost its emotional core, giving us characters we care about and moments that leave us breathless.
It’s drama with soul, and it knows exactly how to make us cry five minutes after making us laugh. We’ll never recover (and we don’t want to).
Network TV is still that girl. These shows prove that weekly dramas and comedies have just as much power—if not more—than anything on streaming. From crime procedurals that actually make us think (Elsbeth, The Irrational) to emotional juggernauts like SVU and 9-1-1, there’s no shortage of brilliance happening on broadcast television.
Whether you’re watching live or catching up on streaming, these TV network shows are so worth your time and your group chat fangirling.
