Is ‘The Amazing Race 26’ episode 5 new tonight? Official return date

Most weeks we would be getting set to bring you another episode review all about “The Amazing Race 26.” Unfortunately, we are not able to do that tonight for one simple reason: There is no new installment airing on CBS for the second week in a row.

If you are questioning why, it is the same answer as last week: NCAA Tournament basketball is ruining all of the fun for everyone (except for sports fans… they are probably having a fairly good two weeks). March Madness has torn up the network’s schedule in the same way it does almost every year. A good many people out there love this, but there are also plenty of TV fans who groan over it since not everyone wants to watch sports and there’s no other alternative.

Then again, for most other shows this is not a big deal given that scripted series need to take a few breaks throughout the season anyway, given that they have limited episode orders and need to ensure that they can fill in the weeks until May rolls around. It’s a little different for “The Amazing RaceÈ though since this is a show accustomed to airing their seasons without large breaks. When it was on Sunday nights, the only time it would ever really be off the air was during the ACM Awards in April. Sure, it would have football delays from time to time, but the overrun ended up occasionally helping the show in the ratings.

The good news is that the series will return next week, and will air new episodes weekly until we get to the finale. What we worry about is strictly if this pushback will cause the ratings to slide, and end up with the reality show getting canceled. As of right now, we’re not too confident over its future with the numbers as is, which pains us since we have been huge fans of this show since the beginning.

Want to get some other “Amazing Race” news? Then be sure to head over here where we have all kinds of previews for you to indulge in. You can also sign up to snag some other race-worthy TV updates on everything we cover via our CarterMatt Newsletter. (Photo: CBS.)