Key premiere fact
This Is Us season 2 began on September 24, 2018 on NBC in the United States. The season aired on a predictable Thursday night schedule for much of its run. If you are asking about the 2018 timeline, the season premiered in the fall, expanded the Pearson family storylines, and concluded in 2019. This is an evergreen clarification of when the season first launched and how its schedule aligned with network programming.
Season 2 exact premiere date and timeslot
This Is Us season 2 premiered on Thursday, September 24, 2018, at 9:00 p.m. ET on NBC. Episodes typically aired weekly in the same timeslot for much of the season, with some variations near the November sweeps period. The premiere drew strong live + same-day ratings, setting up emotionally driven storylines for the 2018–2019 season.
Premiere metrics at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Season 2 premiere date | September 24, 2018 | Network press release / NBC schedule |
| Original network | NBC | Official network announcements |
| Regular timeslot in 2018 | Thursdays, 9:00 p.m. ET (most episodes) | NBC fall 2018 schedule |
| Season finale | March 13, 2019 | NBC episode guide |
| Approximate episode count | 18 episodes produced | Season production reports |
Season overview and narrative focus
Season 2 picks up after the emotional revelation of season 1, diving deeper into the adult lives of the Pearson siblings. Storylines explore Kevin’s career and relationships, Randall’s search for his biological father, and Kate’s struggles with weight and self-worth. The season balances present-day drama with continued flashbacks to the family’s childhood, gradually revealing how past decisions shape the present.
Notable shifts in 2018 scheduling
For much of the 2018 season, NBC maintained a consistent Thursday night lineup. However, during November sweeps, one episode was moved to avoid competition, and a preemption for sports programming led to a make-up airdate later in the season. These scheduling nuances are common on broadcast networks, but they did not break the season’s overall weekly pattern in 2018.
How to watch or catch up on season 2 from 2018
- Live on NBC: Watch Thursday at 9:00 p.m. ET when episodes aired in 2018.
- NBC streaming platforms: Full episodes available on NBC.com and the NBC app with TV provider authentication.
- On-demand and streaming: Later licensed to services such as Hulu + Live TV and, in some regions, Peacock.
- Physical and digital purchase: Season 2 is available on major digital retailers and on Blu-ray/DVD.
Season 2 milestones in context
Understanding season 2 requires seeing it as part of the broader five-season journey of This Is Us. The 2018 season deepened character arcs introduced in 2016 and set up major developments in season 3. The timeline below contextualizes its place in the series’ evolution.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| September 20, 2016 | Season 1 premiere | Introduced the Pearson family and core emotional premise |
| September 24, 2018 | Season 2 premiere | Continued serialized storytelling and deepened character backstories |
| March 13, 2019 | Season 2 finale | Closed season-long arcs while setting up future conflicts |
| 2019–2020 | Seasons 3 and 4 | Further long-form character and timeline exploration |
Common questions about the 2018 start date
Because the show moved to a new night in season 3, many viewers wonder about the 2018 Thursday pattern. Season 2 did not shift to Monday in 2018; it remained on Thursdays for nearly its entire run, with only minor preemption adjustments during sports and sweeps. The start in September 2018 was firmly anchored to the network’s fall schedule, distinct from the later Monday move in season 3.