https://www.tvguide.com/news/abc-renewals-stumptown-a-million-little-things-the-conners-the-rookie-bachelor-dwts/

Black-ish will return this fall instead of midseason because of its relevance to "this moment in time” (https://deadline.com/2020/06/abc-black-ish-moves-to-fall-call-your-mother-midseason-1202962986/)

When ABC announced its "fall" schedule (https://www.primetimer.com/item/ABC-unveils-a-fall-schedule-without-using-the-word-quot-fall-quot-that-relies-on-unscripted-series-like-The-Bachelorette-ZGSwPM) on Wednesday, Black-ish was missing, with plans for it to return at midseason. But ABC has changed its mind after speaking to creator Kenya Barris. As a result of the move, Kyra Sedgwick's Call Your Mother, which was to be paired with The Conners, will move from fall to midseason and be replaced by Black-ish. Black-ish has been devoted to telling stories about African-American history, including an episode devoted to Juneteenth. "Black-ish has a long-standing history of shining a light on current events and honoring Black voices through the lens of the Johnson family,” said ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke. “After speaking with Kenya and our creative partners, we decided it was important to tell these meaningful stories during this moment in time, so we are adjusting our premiere schedule and are committed to doing whatever it takes to bring this series back as soon as we possibly can. Following recent monumental events, it’s imperative that the dialogue continues and empowers viewers to raise their voices, and there is no other show that does that like black-ish."

How Black-ish ended up back on ABC's fall schedule: Anthony Anderson said it would be "problematic" if the show was held for midseason (https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/how-black-ish-made-its-way-back-onto-abcs-fall-schedule)

"I thought it would be doing a disservice to our audience and to our show to have our voices muted and not have the show come back until midseason," Anderson said during an ABC press call today. "That was my conversation with the powers that be, and everyone came to an accord." One day after announcing in June that Black-ish would return at midseason, ABC changed course and moved the Season 7 premiere to fall. Creator Kenya Barris credits ABC Entertainment president Karey Burke for being willing to listen. Barris also discussed the Oct. 4 half-animated election special (https://deadline.com/2020/09/black-ish-anthony-anderson-tracee-ellis-ross-kenya-barris-abc-season-seven-panel-news-1234586974/), which he said was Tracee Ellis Ross' idea. “The special was a happy accident because we were trying to figure out how to still have a presence, especially in an election year,” Barris said. “We wanted to make sure the show had a presence at this time, and (could) rally people to the polls.” ALSO: Watch Black-ish's promo for Season 7 that hails essential workers (https://tvline.com/2020/09/29/blackish-season-7-trailer-video-promo-abc/).