The Detour with David Chang premieres on CNN on September 20, 2026, at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The six-episode food-and-travel series follows chef David Chang on U.S. road trips built around local recommendations rather than algorithms, with two episodes airing each Sunday and streaming availability beginning the next day.
What is The Detour with David Chang?
CNN describes The Detour with David Chang as a six-episode original series centered on road-trip food discovery. Chang travels across the United States with different companions, looking for memorable places to eat by following tips from friends, locals and people he meets along the way instead of relying on online rankings.
In a CNN interview aired September 19, Chang said the production had an itinerary but that his goal was to avoid doing homework, stay off his phone and ask people for recommendations. He framed the approach as a way to bring back more discovery and real-world interaction around food.
When does the new CNN series premiere?
The series premieres Sunday, September 20, at 9 p.m. ET/PT on CNN. According to CNN’s official announcement, two episodes will air each Sunday at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes are scheduled to become available the following day through CNN’s streaming platforms for eligible subscribers.
Where does David Chang travel in The Detour?
CNN’s season description includes food-focused trips through Las Vegas, South Florida, Texas and Pennsylvania, with each episode pairing Chang with a different travel companion. The Texas leg looks at a new generation of barbecue, while the Las Vegas episode explores the city’s wide-ranging restaurant scene.
For readers interested in the barbecue side of the series, Recipes & Cooking also has a low-and-slow oven brisket guide that explains how to build tenderness and deep flavor at home.
Is This Confirmed?
Yes. CNN announced the September 20 premiere in its official press materials and has been promoting the launch across its own programming. A September 19 CNN interview transcript also features Chang discussing the series directly and explaining its no-algorithm approach to finding local food.
Why the format stands out
The hook is not simply that Chang is traveling to eat. The format deliberately limits the usual digital research that shapes many food trips. That gives the show a word-of-mouth premise: recommendations can come from companions, friends or strangers encountered along the route, leaving room for unplanned stops and less predictable meals.
Quick Questions
- How many episodes are in The Detour with David Chang? CNN says the first season has six episodes.
- How often will new episodes air? Two episodes are scheduled each Sunday, at 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. ET/PT.
- Can the series be streamed? CNN says episodes will be available on demand beginning the next day for eligible streaming subscribers through CNN’s digital platforms.
Sources
- CNN Press Room — series announcement and schedule
- CNN transcript — David Chang interview, September 19, 2026
Update Log
September 20, 2026: Initial report prepared ahead of the CNN premiere, with the broadcast schedule and series format verified against CNN’s official press release and interview transcript.
