Disney has recently announced that a Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) film from Phase 4 will make its television debut. To date, no film from Marvel Studios’ last phase has been available outside of Disney+ or home release. However, starting in May, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will break the mold as it airs on multiple channels, including ABC’s The Wonderful World of Disney, FX, and Freeform.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will make its network debut on Thursday, May 25, at 8:00 pm ET, making it the first Phase 4 film to do so. It will be followed by its channel premieres on FX and Freeform on Sunday, May 28, and Saturday, June 10, respectively.

Why Shang-Chi Is Coming To TV

Disney has recently been choosing to air franchise projects on television, with “Chapter 1: The Mandalorian” airing on Disney’s ABC, Freeform, and FX back in February ahead of The Mandalorian’s Season 3 debut. And a few months prior, the first two episodes of Andor were aired on the same channels, along with Hulu, coinciding with the premiere of the show’s season finale on Disney+.

While MCU movies have aired on television before this new trend, Disney+ has changed Disney’s own strategy. The reasoning behind which MCU film airs and when is worth paying attention to. Shang-Chi wasn’t Marvel Studios’ first Phase 4 film, nor was it the most profitable. Still, it was one of the most well-received films of the phase, which could be why it was chosen.

The timing of the television premiere of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is notable. It airs after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3‘s May 5 release and leading up to, as well as during, Secret Invasion’s premiere. Whether this timing is intentional or part of a wider strategy remains to be seen. However, for now, Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings will continue to break ground as the Phase 4 movie to receive a television premiere on May 25 on ABC.