If you turned on CBS recently expecting to see Isaac bragging about his Revolutionary War exploits or Trevor walking around without pants, you were probably disappointed. Woodstone Manor is currently a little quieter than usual. Honestly, it’s frustrating when a show hits its stride and then suddenly vanishes from the Thursday night lineup. You aren't alone in wondering when does Ghosts air, especially since we just survived that cliffhanger with "The Others" and the fallout of the midseason finale.
The short answer is that the show is on a significant midseason hiatus. While we’re used to a few weeks off for the holidays, 2026 has thrown a bit of a curveball at our favorite spirits.
The Winter 2026 Schedule Shakeup
So, here is the deal: when does Ghosts air next? New episodes of Ghosts Season 5 will not return to CBS until Thursday, February 26, 2026.
That’s a long wait. We’ve been stuck in this limbo since the two-part holiday special aired back on December 18, 2025. Usually, networks try to get their big hitters back on the screen by mid-January, but CBS is playing a different game this year. The culprit? The Winter Olympics. Further analysis by Deadline highlights similar perspectives on the subject.
NBC is carrying the games throughout February, and CBS essentially decided they didn't want to burn through their best episodes while half the country is busy watching figure skating. Instead of airing one or two episodes in January and then taking another break in February—which ruins the "flow" of a season—they decided to just hold everything back. It’s a move for consistency. When the show returns on Feb 26, it will resume its usual 8:30 PM ET/PT time slot, sandwiched right between Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Matlock.
Why the Delay is Actually a Good Sign
It feels like a snub, but it’s actually the opposite. CBS knows Ghosts is a massive hit—averaging over 10 million viewers across platforms. By saving the back half of Season 5 for late February, they can run almost the entire rest of the season without those annoying "repeat" weeks that usually plague springtime television.
We’ve already seen some wild stuff this season. Sam and Jay dealing with the "Others"—that group of Puritan-era ghosts introduced by Patience—has completely changed the dynamic of the house. Showrunners Joe Port and Joe Wiseman have teased that these new spirits aren't exactly friendly roommates. In fact, we know at least one of our main ghosts has a "complicated" and potentially dark history with them.
What to Expect When the Spirits Return
- The Others' Arrival: The February 26 premiere is expected to pick up exactly where the December finale left off. No time jump. We’re going to see the immediate impact these shadowy figures have on the mansion.
- The Book Tour: Sam and Pete’s road trip arc is still a major plot point. Watching a ghost who can't leave the property (unless he's Pete) navigate the real world is always a highlight.
- Bela’s Return: Punam Patel is confirmed to return as Jay’s sister, Bela. Her chaotic energy usually means Jay is about to have a very bad, very expensive day.
Where to Watch and Catch Up
If you’re feeling the withdrawal, you’ve got options. While we wait for February 26, Paramount+ is the graveyard where all the old episodes live.
- Paramount+ Premium: You can stream the CBS live feed when the show finally returns, or watch on-demand.
- Paramount+ Essential: You have to wait until the next day (Friday mornings) to see the new episodes.
- The OG: If you haven’t seen the British version of Ghosts, all five seasons are also on Paramount+. It’s a different vibe—a bit drier, a bit more "British"—but it’s fascinating to see where the DNA of the US version came from.
Looking Even Further Ahead
The best news to come out of the winter break? You don't have to worry about a cancellation cliffhanger. CBS has already issued a double renewal, meaning the show is confirmed for Season 6 through the 2026-2027 season. They are clearly leaning into the Woodstone universe for the long haul.
For now, mark your calendar for February 26. Clear your Thursday night. Maybe keep the lights on, just in case.
Actionable Next Steps:
Check your DVR or streaming settings now to ensure Ghosts is still set to "Series Recording." Because of the long hiatus, some automated systems occasionally drop shows that haven't aired in over 60 days. If you're behind, the 10 episodes of Season 5 that aired in late 2025 are currently available on Paramount+ for a binge-watch to refresh your memory on who "The Others" actually are before the premiere.
