Joe Biden Primetime Farewell Address: All the Shows Impacted by President’s Speech

Alyssa Norwin January 13, 2025, 12:13 pm

Quinta Brunson and Tyler James Williams on 'Abbott Elementary,' Ken Jennings on 'Celebrity Jeopardy!' — Disney/Gilles Mingasson Christopher Willard/

As Joe Biden’s time in office nears an end, the president will be giving a farewell address during primetime on Wednesday, January 15. Five days before Donald Trump‘s inauguration, Biden will say goodbye following his four-year term as president.

“On Wednesday, January 15 at 8:00 PM, the President will deliver a Farewell Address to the nation from the Oval Office,” the White House announced on January 10. The contents of President Biden’s speech were not confirmed in the announcement.

Wednesday’s live broadcast will be the first time Biden publicly speaks from behind the Resolute desk since he announced that he would be withdrawing from the 2024 presidential election in July 2024.

President Joe Biden speaks onstage during The Congressional Black Caucus Foundation's 53rd Annual Legislative Conference Annual Phoenix Awards Dinner

Jemal Countess/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Due to major networks airing Biden’s address live, the regular television schedule will be disrupted, with timing changes for several beloved programs. Scroll down for a list of schedule changes and check back for updates as networks make their official changes.

ABC

Biden’s speech is slotted to last until 8:20 p.m., pushing back the regularly-scheduled Wednesday programming on ABC. Shifting Gears will air from 8:20 p.m. until 8:50 p.m., followed by Abbott Elementary from 8:50 p.m. to 9:22 p.m., and Celebrity Jeopardy! from 9:22 p.m. to 10:22 p.m. Finally, What Would You Do? will air from 10:22 p.m. until 11:00 p.m., which is when the timing catches up.

CBS

CBS has Biden’s address slotted to run from 8 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., pushing back the timing of its other Wednesday night programming. The Price Is Right will now air from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., while Raid the Cage will be on from 9:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Fox

Fox’s Wednesday schedule features a new episode of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test, which was initially set to run from 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. The network confirmed that it will now air from 8:15 p.m. to 10:15 p.m. after Biden’s speech.

Kamala Harris Details Moment Biden Asked Her to Take Over Nomination on 'The View'

NBC

Wednesdays are all about Chicago Med, Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. on NBC. Biden’s address will air from 8 p.m. to 8:15 p.m., which Chicago Med now starting at 8:15 p.m. and airing until 9 p.m. Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. are slated to air in their regular 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. slots, respectively.