Television fans, creators, and industry professionals are gearing up for one of the most anticipated gatherings in TV. The ATX TV Festival has officially unveiled additional programming for its milestone Season 15, taking place May 28–31, 2026 in Austin.
This year’s festival expands its lineup with exclusive screenings, major anniversary celebrations, industry panels, and conversations with some of television’s most influential creators and executives.
Apple TV Brings Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed Screening and Q&A
One of the most exciting additions is a special advance screening of the upcoming Apple TV series Maximum Pleasure Guaranteed, followed by a live conversation with the creative team and cast.
The dark comedy-thriller stars Tatiana Maslany, Murray Bartlett, and Brandon Flynn, and comes from creator and showrunner David J. Rosen.
The series follows Paula (Maslany), a newly divorced mother who spirals into a dangerous mystery involving blackmail, murder, and youth soccer after believing she witnessed a crime. The show premieres globally on Apple TV on May 20.
NBC Celebrates 100 Years of Television
In partnership with NBCUniversal, the festival will spotlight NBC’s 100th anniversary with multiple panels and conversations celebrating the network’s television legacy.
Highlights include:
The Paper Panel
Fans will get a behind-the-scenes look at The Paper, the acclaimed series from Peacock and Universal Television, as the cast and creators discuss Season 1’s passionate fanbase and tease what’s ahead in Season 2.
Leadership Conversation
A special discussion will feature Lisa Katz (President, Scripted Content at NBC & Peacock) and Erin Underhill (President of Universal Television). The conversation will explore how NBC continues evolving its iconic brands—from the powerhouse franchises of Dick Wolf to the network’s legendary comedy lineup.
Funny AF Comedy Panel
The annual “Funny AF” panel returns with top showrunners, creators, and actors from NBCUniversal for an unfiltered discussion about the craft and chaos of making television comedy.
Investigating the Legacy of Procedurals
Another panel will examine the enduring popularity of NBC’s procedural dramas, with talent from some of the network’s most iconic shows sharing behind-the-scenes stories.
Festival Honors Legendary Casting Duo
For the first time, ATX TV Festival will present its Collaborator Award to casting directors Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas of Bialy/Thomas & Associates.
For more than 25 years, the duo has helped assemble the casts of some of television’s most influential series, including:
- Breaking Bad
- The Walking Dead
- The Righteous Gemstones
- The Handmaid’s Tale
- Barry
- Better Call Saul
The award ceremony will also feature a conversation with their collaborators about the art and importance of casting in television.
I Love Lucy Celebrates 75 Years
Classic television will also take center stage with a live script reading honoring the 75th anniversary of I Love Lucy.
Guest actors will step into the iconic roles for a live performance of beloved episodes, continuing one of the festival’s most popular traditions.
Spotlight on Indie TV and the Creative Process
The festival will also feature discussions exploring how television gets made, from development to production.
Indie TV Spotlight
Actors and producers Steve Zahn and Rick Gomez will return to ATX to discuss their independent series You Belong Here and the process of launching their company Macaroni Art Productions.
Development in Progress Panel
Industry creatives including Megan Creydt, Kat Candler, and Dana Honor will discuss the realities of developing television projects—from early IP development to getting a series greenlit.
Major TV Anniversaries Headline the Festival
ATX TV Festival Season 15 will also celebrate several iconic television milestones.
Friday Night Lights 20-Year Reunion
The beloved series Friday Night Lights will reunite its cast and creative team, including Connie Britton, Kyle Chandler, Gaius Charles, Adrianne Palicki, Jesse Plemons, Aimee Teegarden, and newly announced panelists Scott Porter and executive producer Sarah Aubrey.
The reunion will take place May 29 at the Paramount Theatre, where the series will also receive the festival’s Texas Made Award.
Everybody Loves Raymond 30-Year Celebration
Comedy fans can also attend “Everybody (Still) Loves Raymond,” marking the 30th anniversary of Everybody Loves Raymond.
Series creator Phil Rosenthal and star Ray Romano will appear alongside several of the show’s writers.
Additional Programming Highlights
Season 15 will also feature a wide range of discussions and screenings, including:
- A retrospective for Homicide: Life on the Street with Tom Fontana, David Simon, and Kyle Secor
- The 10-year anniversary of Sweet/Vicious
- A screening and Q&A for The Other Bennet Sister presented by BritBox
- The inaugural Indie TV Pilot Competition & Showcase
- Panels on medical accuracy in television and nuclear storylines in TV storytelling
How to Attend ATX TV Festival 2026
Badges and passes for ATX TV Festival Season 15 are now available, with select individual tickets also on sale for major events like the Friday Night Lights reunion and Everybody Loves Raymond anniversary celebration.
With exclusive screenings, industry insights, and reunions celebrating television history, the 2026 festival promises to be one of the most exciting editions yet.
For more information and ticket details, visit the official festival website.
