As the leaves turn and evenings grow crisp, television enters a crucial season of competition. This fall, ratings are under a microscope, especially for new series striving to secure their place in the bustling entertainment world. Among the standout shows, CBS’ Tracker, Matlock, and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage are making waves, marking significant successes in their genres.
CBS’ Tracker has made headlines by moving to an earlier Sunday time slot. The drama, featuring Justin Hartley, not only kept its audience from the first season but attracted an additional 20% more viewers. It currently holds the title of the most-watched entertainment program of the 2024-25 TV season and is the highest-rated drama among viewers aged 18 to 49, indicating its strong appeal to younger audiences.
Next in line is Matlock, which has become the most-watched new series this fall. With an impressive 100% Certified Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the show is the first broadcast series in five years to earn such a distinction. Viewers are showing a substantial appetite for courtroom dramas, with ratings reflecting a 30% increase in viewership compared to similar shows from previous seasons.
CBS also welcomes Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, the top-rated new comedy this fall. The series successfully combines humor with relatable life challenges. Early data shows a strong performance, drawing in 3 million viewers per episode, highlighting a clear trend where audiences are seeking fresh comedic voices amidst a season filled with reboots and continuations.
While CBS seems to dominate this season, other networks are also making moves.
ABC’s High Potential has seen a rise in its time slot ratings, which is typically a key target for any new series, showing a 15% bump in viewership since its premiere.
In contrast, Fox’s Universal Basic Guys has quickly become the leading comedy of the fall, boasting a solid demo rating of 0.8. However, it's important to note that its numbers have been bolstered by airings during high-traffic NFL game nights, which often inflate viewership statistics.
Viewership dynamics are shifting as well. Elsbeth on CBS has experienced a ratings surge due to a stronger lead-in, resulting in a 25% increase in viewers this season. Meanwhile, The Equalizer, featuring Queen Latifah, is facing challenges, showing a 10% drop in viewership compared to the last season, sparking discussions about audience engagement.
When assessing long-running shows like NCIS and NCIS: Hawai’i, current viewing figures can be misleading. Recent ratings are not fully reflective of their usual performance, particularly as these shows were not airing during competing events like Monday Night Football and post-season baseball, which have historically shifted viewership patterns.
In a wider view, Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star stands out as the most-watched entertainment program with 4.4 million viewers, although it remains behind CBS's entertaining offerings.
Meanwhile, The CW attempts to maintain viewership with programs like WWE NXT and Superman & Lois, even if their ratings are modest.
This fall TV season has showcased several notable victories, particularly for CBS, which is leading the way in both drama and comedy. As viewers embrace their new favorite shows, the competitive landscape continues to shift. Observing how these dynamics evolve throughout the season and whether upcoming shows can break through the current frontrunners will be captivating.
As fresh content arrives and audiences eagerly await new narratives, the television landscape remains an engaging space to explore. With ratings fluctuating and surprises around every corner, this season holds many exciting developments yet to emerge.
PROGRAM (NETWORK) | TOTAL VIEWERS* | VS. LAST SEASON | DEMO RATING (18-49)* | |
1 | Sunday Night Football (NBC) | 19.3 million | Steady | 5.0 |
2 | Monday Night Football (ABC) | 11.11 million | Steady | 2.5 |
3 | Tracker (CBS) | 11.1 million | +3% | 0.81 |
4 | Matlock (CBS) | 10 million | +61% vs. So Help Me Todd | 0.58 |
5 | 60 Minutes (CBS) | 9.2 million | +12% | 0.91 |
6 | Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage (CBS) | 8.12 million | -13% vs. Young Sheldon | 0.65 |
7 | Elsbeth (CBS) | 7.7 million | +4% | 0.45 |
8 | Chicago Fire (NBC) | 7.6 million | -12% | 0.59 |
9 | Ghosts (CBS) | 7.4 million | -10% | 0.65 |
10 | Blue Bloods (CBS) | 7.33 million | -13% | 0.42 |
11 | NCIS (CBS) | 7.3 million | -25% | 0.52 |
12 | Chicago Med (NBC) | 7.22 million | -10% | 0.55 |
13 | FBI (CBS) | 7.2 million | -17% | 0.50 |
14 | Saturday Night Football (ABC) | 7.14 million | n/a | 0.60 |
15 | Chicago P.D. (NBC) | 6.8 million | -13% | 0.60 |
16 | 9-1-1 (ABC) | 6.5 million | Steady | 0.67 |
17 | High Potential (ABC) | 6.42 million | +25% vs. The Good Doctor | 0.60 |
18 | The Equalizer (CBS) | 6.4 million | -29% | 0.45 |
19 | Fire Country (CBS) | 6.3 million | -14% | 0.52 |
20 | NCIS: Origins (CBS) | 6.2 million | -20% vs. NCIS: Hawai’i | 0.44 |
21 | The Voice (NBC, Mon-Tue averages) | 6.14 million | -12%** | 0.53 |
22 | FBI: International (CBS) | 6 million | -14% | 0.41 |
23 | Survivor (CBS) | 5.7 million | -11% | 0.86 |
24 | FBI: Most Wanted (CBS) | 5.6 million | -22% | 0.40 |
25 | Law & Order: SVU (NBC) | 5.5 million | -20% | 0.64 |
Via TVLine
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