WGN Will Renew Backstory with Larry Potash for Two Seasons

The Chicago station has ordered seasons 19 and 20 of the program, which will begin airing in early October 2026.

Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Television

Bold vector editorial illustration of a studio microphone on a boom arm, representing the ongoing production of a local television series. — WGN Chicago has renewed 'Backstory with Larry Potash' for two additional seasons, ensuring the local program continues its run through 2026. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Do you plan to watch the new season of Backstory with Larry Potash on WGN?

WGN Chicago has officially renewed its long-running program Backstory with Larry Potash for seasons 19 and 20. The upcoming season is set to premiere on October 4, 2026.

Why it matters

The renewal ensures the continuation of the local program, which maintains a consistent production schedule and distribution footprint across WGN broadcast and digital platforms.

The show will continue its broadcast schedule of first-run episodes airing Sunday nights at 11 p.m. on WGN. Rebroadcasts will maintain a slot on Sunday afternoons.

The players

Larry Potash

He is the journalist and host of the long-running Chicago-based television program Backstory.

WGN

It is a Chicago-based television station that produces and broadcasts local news and original programming.

The details

Viewers can access new and recurring content through the WGN+ app, the WGN-TV live stream, and the WGN News mobile app. Additionally, individual program segments remain available for on-demand consumption via podcasts and the WGNTV.com website.

New episodes are scheduled to premiere on October 4, 2026.
The season is scheduled to conclude on November 22, 2026.

Industry Dynamics

This renewal reflects the broader industry trend of local stations leaning into established legacy brands to secure consistent viewership. It highlights how regional broadcasters use proprietary content to differentiate themselves in a competitive streaming landscape.

Fans can continue to watch the program via traditional Sunday night broadcasts at 11 p.m. on WGN or through the station's various digital outlets. The expansion into seasons 19 and 20 guarantees that new episodes and podcasts will remain available throughout the remainder of 2026.

The takeaway

The return of this series provides viewers with reliable access to local investigative storytelling through the end of 2026. Audiences can plan their viewing around the established Sunday night broadcast schedule or utilize the WGN+ app for on-demand flexibility.