9-1-1: Nashville‘s still in its early days, but this is when ABC must do whatever it takes to prove that it’s worth watching. Thankfully, there’s one easy way to do so. All ABC has to do is implement a popular network TV trend that is all but guaranteed to entice established 9-1-1 fans to watch the offshoot, as well as draw in new viewers.
9-1-1: Nashville serves as the second spinoff in the 9-1-1 franchise, following in the footsteps of the recently canceled 9-1-1: Lone Star. As its title reveals, the procedural drama is set in Nashville, Tennessee. It follows Station 113’s first responders and their families, along with all the intense and soap-opera-like drama that unfolds. Unfortunately, that hasn’t been enough to lure viewers.
9-1-1: Nashville’s Initial Ratings & Reviews Are Underwhelming
The 9-1-1 Offshoot Isn’t Off To A Great Start
Per a report from Programming Insider, 9-1-1: Nashville debuted with 3.718 million same-day viewers on Thursday, October 9, and scored a 0.29 Nielsen rating in the 18-49 demographic. Meanwhile, 9-1-1 season 9’s premiere garnered 4.187 million viewers and a 0.35 rating. As one can see, the spinoff failed to retain the flagship show’s numbers, which is a bit shocking.
It appears some 9-1-1 fans aren’t all that eager to watch the offshoot, despite it conveniently airing after the original series. It just isn’t appealing to them. The 9-1-1: Nashville premiere’s initial numbers are nothing to write home about on their own. Yes, network TV’s ratings have significantly slumped overall in recent years, but a 0.29 Nielsen debut is still disappointing.
Additionally, 9-1-1: Nashville‘s reviews aren’t all that spectacular. Although the procedural drama TV show has been marketed as having soap opera vibes and characteristics, some critics and audience members aren’t enjoying its theatrics and absurd drama. There is still plenty of time for 9-1-1: Nashville to turn the ship around, though, and ABC holds all the power to do so.
A Crossover Can Incentivize 9-1-1 Fans To Watch The Spinoff
Crossovers Are A Time-Honored Network TV Tradition
The good news is that ABC already has a tool at its disposal to help 9-1-1: Nashville‘s viewership grow — a good ole crossover. It would have been even better if the spinoff could’ve released a backdoor pilot in 9-1-1 season 8, but the time for that has long passed. So, the only solution is for the two shows to team up for a crossover.
At some point during the 2025–2026 network TV season (sooner rather than later), ABC would be wise to develop and release a big crossover event between 9-1-1 season 9 and 9-1-1: Nashville season 1. That way, fans of the former procedural drama TV series pretty much have to tune in for the latter, even if it’s only for one episode.
If they want to know what happens after 9-1-1‘s part of the crossover, they’ll have to watch 9-1-1: Nashville‘s half of the story. 9-1-1 would have to go first in this scenario, of course. It helps that it already airs before its spinoff, meaning ABC wouldn’t have to switch 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville‘s time slots. Essentially, everything is already in place for a crossover.
The only question now is if ABC will take advantage of this opportunity for a crossover between 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville. It certainly wouldn’t hurt. The worst thing that could happen is that most new viewers don’t take to the newer TV show and decide not to continue watching. At least, the network could say that it tried.
On the other hand, the best thing that could happen is that 9-1-1: Nashville gains numerous new fans. Then, it could live to see another season (and perhaps seven more, if it follows in 9-1-1‘s footsteps). But if the network chooses not to go forward with a crossover and continues losing audience members, the likelihood of the offshoot’s survival is low.
How A 9-1-1 & 9-1-1: Nashville Crossover Can Happen
LeAnn Rimes’ Character Could Be The Key
Yes, action and disasters are the basis for both 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville‘s stories. However, an emergency doesn’t necessarily have to initiate this hypothetical crossover between the two ABC TV shows. In fact, perhaps the best way to connect 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville is through a character who isn’t even a first responder but the mother of one — LeAnn Rimes’ Dixie Bennings.
Dixie is a singer, and her occupation could take her to Los Angeles to embark on an exciting opportunity to make a breakthrough in the industry. The 9-1-1: Nashville character could bring her son, Blue Bennings, along on the trip, where he bumps into the Station 118 crew. And just like that, a crossover is born. Unfortunately, it likely wouldn’t be that simple.
Whereas it’s easy to produce a crossover in the One Chicago universe because they all take place in Chicago, it’s more difficult for the 9-1-1 franchise. Los Angeles serves as the flagship series’ home, while 9-1-1: Nashville is set in Nashville. As such, it’s difficult to think of a scenario that would push the casts of 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville together.
A horrific disaster could also do the trick, though. Maybe an EF5 tornado strikes Tennessee, and the 9-1-1 characters decide to volunteer their help in the aftermath. Or another big earthquake could hit Los Angeles, resulting in Station 113 making the trip to the West Coast. Whatever the case, ABC needs to make a crossover between 9-1-1 and 9-1-1: Nashville happen.
New episodes of 9-1-1: Nashville air on Thursdays at 9 pm ET on ABC, following 9-1-1 season 9 at 8 pm ET.
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- Release Date
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September 1, 2025
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Chris O’Donnell
Captain Don Sharpe
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Source: Programming Insider
