From giant crab men to searing satire, here's the best TV of 2026 so far

The best TV of 2026 so far highlights how streaming competition is making it harder for audiences to keep up, as services change and prices rise. The article spotlights new series reviewed after dozens of 2026 shows, starting with Apple TV’s Widow’s Bay, which debuted in late April. Created by Katie Dippold, the hybrid horror-comedy centers on Mayor Tom’s effort to rehabilitate a haunted island’s reputation, blending workplace humor with escalating overarching lore. It also covers Saturday Night Live UK, which launched in April after audiences expected failure, before critics and commentators shifted to viewing it more positively. The piece references UK premiere context and early reception, indicating that the format’s challenge has not prevented some strong results despite uneven sketches mentioned in passing. It frames these picks as early standouts in a crowded release cycle.