If you’ve been hunting for your weekly dose of eccentric genius and oversized tote bags, you’re probably asking: what time does Elsbeth come on right now? Honestly, the schedule has been a bit of a moving target lately. After a whirlwind Season 3 launch that started with a weird Sunday premiere back in October, the show finally settled into its groove. But then came the winter break.
CBS loves a good midseason hiatus. It keeps us on our toes, I guess? Anyway, the short answer is that the wait for new episodes is almost over. Elsbeth returns to CBS on Thursday, February 26, 2026, at 10:00 PM ET/PT. That’s the "regular" time slot, but as any fan of the Good Wife universe knows, "regular" is a relative term in the world of network television.
The 2026 Midseason Schedule: Mark Your Calendar
When Elsbeth finally makes its comeback in late February, it’s reclaiming its throne in the prestigious Thursday night lineup. It basically serves as the nightcap to a massive evening of CBS dramas. You’ve got the comedies kicking things off, then Matlock (the Kathy Bates version, which is actually great) at 9:00 PM, and then our favorite ginger detective-attorney closes things out at 10:00 PM.
Here is the deal for the immediate return:
- Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
- Time: 10:00 PM ET / 9:00 PM CT
- Channel: CBS
- Episode: Season 3, Episode 11
Don't forget that if you are in a different time zone, things shift. If you’re on the West Coast, it’s usually 10:00 PM PT. Mountain time is the wild card—check your local listings because sometimes they sync with the East Coast feed at 8:00 PM, and sometimes they delay it.
Why Did the Time Change Last Season?
People get confused because Season 3 didn't follow the rules. It premiered on a Sunday night (October 12) right after Matlock. It was a "special event" thing to boost ratings. It worked, but it left everyone googling what time does Elsbeth come on for three weeks straight because the second episode immediately jumped back to Thursdays.
Then there was that weird episode in November—Episode 7, "And Then There Were Nuns"—which aired an hour early at 9:00 PM. If you missed that one, you probably tuned in at 10:00 PM just to see the local news. Bummer.
The takeaway? Thursday at 10:00 PM is the "home," but CBS isn't afraid to move the furniture around if there’s a football game or a political event.
Where to Stream if You Miss the Live Airing
Let’s be real. Not everyone is sitting in front of a TV with an antenna at 10:00 PM on a Thursday. Most of us have lives. Or sleep schedules.
If you have Paramount+ with SHOWTIME, you can actually watch it live as it airs on your local CBS station. It’s pretty seamless. If you’re on the "Essential" (cheaper) plan, you have to wait until the next day. Usually, the new episode drops around 3:00 AM ET on Friday morning.
I’ve also found that if you use services like FuboTV, YouTube TV, or Hulu + Live TV, you can just set your "DVR" and never have to worry about what time does Elsbeth come on ever again. It just appears in your library like magic.
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A Quick Word on the Catch-Up
If you’re behind, Season 1 and Season 2 are fully available on Paramount+. They are great for bingeing because, unlike the heavy serialized drama of The Good Fight, Elsbeth is more of a "how-catch-em" in the vein of Columbo. You can jump in almost anywhere and not feel totally lost, though you’ll miss the slow-burn character development between Elsbeth and Captain Wagner.
Is Season 4 Happening?
This is the big question. As of early 2026, the show is still mid-Season 3. CBS officially renewed the series for this current third season back in February 2025 because the ratings were through the roof.
While a Season 4 hasn't been "officially" greenlit with a press release yet, the industry buzz is incredibly positive. Carrie Preston is basically carrying the network's Thursday night prestige on her back (along with Kathy Bates). It would be a shocker if they didn't bring it back for the 2026-2027 cycle.
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Pro Tips for Elsbeth Fans
- Check the App: If you’re ever in doubt, the CBS app usually has a "Live" tab that shows exactly what is playing in your specific zip code.
- Follow the Cast: Carrie Preston is actually pretty active on social media. She often posts "Tonight's the night!" reminders which are way more reliable than a printed TV guide.
- Watch the "Nutcracker" Episode: If you missed the midseason finale on December 18, "A Hard Nut to Crack," go back and watch it before February 26. It sets up some interesting dynamics for the back half of the season.
The show is staying in its 10:00 PM Thursday slot for the foreseeable future. Just keep an eye out for "special two-hour events" which sometimes creep into the 9:00 PM hour.
To stay ahead of any future schedule shifts, verify your local CBS affiliate's programming via the Paramount+ live schedule or a trusted local TV listing service. If you're planning a watch party for the February 26 return, double-check your DVR settings now to ensure "New Episodes Only" is selected, as the network often runs repeats during the weeks leading up to the midseason premiere.