Latest news with #JustinHartley
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Justin Hartley's Tracker Landed A Viewership Victory With Season 2 That Only Yellowstone Has Pulled Off In Recent Years
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Now that we're nearly at the halfway point of the 2025 TV schedule, it means the numbers have been tallied for the most-watched shows from 2024-2025 season, and while the program at the top of the list is no big shock, Justin Hartley's CBS drama Tracker pulled off a surprising win that only one other TV drama, Yellowstone, has pulled off in recent years. To be expected, both NFL and NCAA football have a healthy presence in the overall totals, and CBS predictably stomped the competition in terms of programming, boasting 14 of TV's 20 biggest non-sports audiences, according to TVLine. Let's take a closer look at how Tracker's sophomore season managed to beat the odds and top its already impressive first year out. Let's not beat around the bush here: Tracker's first season was a huge success for CBS, as viewers turned up in droves to see Justin Hartley's first big TV role after This Is Us. Season 1's average viewership of 10.84 million made it the top drama of the 2023-2024 season, though it came in third place behind ABC's #2 slot-holder Monday Night Football. But those tides have turned, at least for one year, as Tracker's second season averaged a total of 11 million viewers per episode (with Live + 7 delayed-viewing measured). It's no wonder CBS gave it an early season renewal alongside other shows. Monday Night Football? It fell to the third spot with 10.3 million viewers on average. Sorry, fellas. While it's already rare for anything to beat either primetime NFL games or NCIS in total viewers, it's altogether rarer for a drama to do both. Yellowstone did it during the 2022-2023 season, and was the first cable series to pull off that kind of win since The Walking Dead's monster run on AMC. But it was back in 2017-2018 that another drama reached the #2 spot: This Is Us, which also starred Justin Hartley. If only he'd have been on Yellowstone at some point, he might be considered TV ratings' Holy Grail. By and large, though, NCIS is almost always the go-to top dawg when it comes to scripted dramas. There were times when The Big Bang Theory and even the return of Roseanne pulled in bigger crowds, but McGee & Co. tend to hold the reins for hourlong fare. After Tracker's Early Renewal For Season 3, I'm Flashing Back To Justin Hartley's Comments About Why Making The Show 'Shouldn't Be Possible' For a caveat or two, Monday Night Football was an ESPN exclusive for quite a few years, where it wasn't as much of a ratings king, and only returned to ABC in a widespread capacity in 2022. Prior to that, CBS' scored quite a few wins with Thursday Night Football, though its scheduling was also sporadic due to NFL Network. All things considered, Tracker's ratings win makes me even more anxious to see Luke Grimes' upcoming Yellowstone spinoff hitting CBS' Fall lineup, so that NCIS' biggest dramatic competition in the past decade or so can go head to head. My money is on Taylor Sheridan's universe, but I won't be shocked if Hartley comes out on top. We just have to wait the next few months for Season 3 to get here first.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
CBS Sets Record With 17th Straight Season Victory in Total Viewers
CBS will make a little bit of TV history when the 2024-25 season wraps. The network is set to finish its 17th straight season as the No. 1 broadcaster among all viewers in primetime, a streak that dates back to the 2008-09 season. The 17 consecutive season wins tops the previous mark, also held by CBS, of 16 straight from 1955-70 (when household ratings were the primary measure). More from The Hollywood Reporter Gretchen Wilson Goes on 'The Road' With CBS Music Competition Show Streaming Ratings: 'The Residence' Moves Into No. 1 Overall Spot 'Royal Pains' Update in the Works at NBC Although there are few weeks left before the official end of the September-to-May TV season, as measured by Nielsen, CBS' lead over its rivals is large enough that the rankings are very unlikely to change. So as it did a year ago and several other times in the recent past, the network is planting its victory flag now. There's good news across the board, however: Among the big four broadcasters, three have improved their primetime averages from this time last season, and the fourth, ABC, is even with its year-ago numbers. The gains largely come down to networks having a full season's worth of programming: As writers and actors went on strike for better contracts in 2023, most scripted programming was pushed to the first quarter of 2024, resulting in shorter seasons and a hodgepodge of mostly lower-rated shows filling the first half of the 2023-24 season. Through April 20, CBS is averaging 5.72 million viewers in primetime with all programming, up from 5.59 million a year ago (a gain of about 2 percent). NBC is also up by about 2 percent at 5.1 million viewers. ABC's 4.28 million viewers is virtually even with 4.29 million last year, while Fox is up by 14 percent at 3.83 million — with a record-setting Super Bowl responsible for a good portion of that improvement. (All figures are Nielsen's 'most current' ratings, a combination of seven-day linear figures for most weeks and same-day numbers for the most recent days. Streaming isn't included.) Stripping out sports, CBS' lead is a little larger. It's averaging 4.99 million viewers in primetime, up 14 percent from the same time last season. NBC places second with 4 million viewers excluding sports, followed by ABC (3.58 million) and Fox (2.16 million). Tracker is set to repeat as the most watched non-sports series in 2024-25. The drama starring Justin Hartley is the only network entertainment show to average more than 10 million viewers before streaming; it's currently at 10.84 million viewers over seven days, with two episodes remaining in its season. CBS has the top seven and eight of the top 10 non-sports shows in total viewers with Matlock (second), 60 Minutes (third), FBI (fourth), Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (fifth), Blue Bloods (sixth), NCIS (seventh) and Elsbeth (ninth) joining Tracker. NBC's Chicago Fire (eighth) and Chicago Med (10th) complete the top 10. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Why Do ‘Tracker,' ‘Watson' and ‘The Equalizer' Never Start on Time on CBS Sundays?
Every Sunday, CBS shows Tracker, Watson and The Equalizer are scheduled to air at a certain time yet are always delayed — but what has caused the consistent change? Viewers have tuned in weekly to see Justin Hartley solve a new mystery at 8 p.m. before Morris Chestnut digs into the latest medical case at 9 p.m., then finally Queen Latifah uses her skills to help those with nowhere else to turn at 10 p.m. The timing, however, is always pushed because CBS is home to football broadcasts. Since NFL games usually run long, this impacts the 60 Minutes special that always follows. As a result, everything else gets pushed back and, well, you get the idea. Tracker was plagued with delays during its first season, due to live events like March Madness and the CMT Music Awards. The show still found a way to be coined the most-watched broadcast premiere since NCIS' final episode with Mark Harmon in September 2021. Its average viewership was reported to be 18.2 million per episode, according to Paramount+ and broadcast measurements. CBS Is in the Spinoff Business: A Guide to Every Show Universe They Are Expanding Variety's annual list of the year's 100 most-watched primetime telecasts revealed that Tracker episodes earned 15 top spots. Despite making Us wait 11 weeks for new episodes, the second season dominated viewership with the season 2 premiere bringing in 8.3 million total viewers — a nearly 10 percent increase in viewership from the season 1 finale. The season 2 premiere also marked the show's highest audience since the series debuted in February 2024 after the Super Bowl. Tracker, which premiered in February 2024, is centered around a survivalist named Colter (Hartley) who travels the country helping to solve a variety of mysteries. Hartley, 48, recently spoke about how Tracker's success has paved the way for more opportunities. "It's really the cool show now, right? So, we actually got really lucky. I feel like I blinked, all of a sudden woke up and it's been 20 years. But I've been in this business long enough to have developed these relationships," he told The Hollywood Reporter earlier this month. "When you see the people on our show that are familiar faces and actors you know, like Jensen Ackles and my wife [Sofia Pernas], these are relationships I've had for a long time. I was really grateful I was able to do that." He continued: "I think they trusted me knowing I'm not going to call them and ask them to do something, or invite them to do something unless I think it's really cool and fun and would be good for them as well. So we start off on that foot, and then this show became what it is. It's huge. People think it's cool and want to be a part of it, which is also nice because it allows you to get a bigger pool of talent." Ahead of the show's season finale, Hartley promised to deliver some surprises. Every TV Spinoff to (Hopefully) Look Forward to in 2025: From 'The Testaments' to 'The Madison' 'You are going to get the last five episodes in a row. So, you're getting five separate movies. We call them little movies. As we're inching closer to the end of the season, we creep closer and closer to the mystery of what the hell happened to Colter's father,' he teased. 'How did he die? Was there in fact another man in the woods? Did he get pushed? Did he get killed? Was it an accident? What the hell is going on with that?" Hartley confirmed there was already a possible story planned for season 3, adding, "Now we're in new territory. We have a couple of ideas. One of these is that Colter has all of these skills — he's a survivalist and he knows how to be alone, and he knows how to find people and he's gifted in that regard. He's a great listener.' The actor concluded: 'But it would be interesting, I think, to see him be set up. In other words, to see him using all those skills to run from the authorities, because you've been set up for whatever reason. I'd love to have all that tie into the family background, the government. So, we'll see. We've been kicking that idea around. We have a lot of different stuff that we're talking about. We have the underlying theme of what we're going to do next year, while not really changing the direction of where our story is going.' Tracker airs on CBS Sundays at 8 p.m. ET while Watson follows at 9 p.m. ET and The Equalizer at 10 p.m. ET. New episodes stream the next day on Paramount+.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Will There Be a Season 3 of 'Tracker'? Here's What's Next for Justin Hartley's Colter Shaw
Tracker's Colter Shaw has more missing people to find and more rewards to collect. Back in February 2025, CBS renewed the show for a third season — which isn't exactly surprising, considering Tracker is currently the top show on broadcast TV, averaging at 10.84 million viewers per episode, per Nielsen. "Thank you all for watching us. Because of the #trackerbackers we get to make more of these @trackercbs episodes. Here we go!!" Hartley wrote on Instagram when season 3 was announced. The series, based on Jeffery Deaver's novel The Never Game, follows lone-wolf survivalist Shaw (Justin Hartley), who helps law enforcement find people in exchange for a finder's fee. The season 2 finale — which aired on May 11 — saw Shaw reunite with his mother (Wendy Crewson) when he headed home to Echo Ridge to investigate the case of a missing diner owner. From returning cast members to potential plot details, here's everything to know about Tracker season 3. Yes, Tracker will return for a third season. CBS announced the show's renewal in February 2025 — and Hartley had the honor of delivering the news to the show's cast and crew. "Because of all the hard work you've done on season 2, they have picked us up for season 3," he said in a video posted on Instagram. "I just want to say thank you for all your hard work and dedication." CBS hasn't released any specific plot details about Tracker season 3. However, during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in April 2025, Hartley did share an idea he and producers have been "kicking around" for a while. "It would be interesting, I think, to see him be set up. In other words, to see him using all those skills to run from the authorities," he said. "I'd love to have all that tie into the family background, the government." Hartley continued, "We have the underlying theme of what we're going to do next year, while not really changing the direction of where our story is going." Hartley will reprise his role as Colter Shaw in Tracker season 3. CBS hasn't confirmed any other returning cast members. In season 2, Hartley was joined by series regulars Fiona Rene as Reenie Greene, Abby McEnany as Velma Bruin and Eric Graise as Bobby Exley. CBS hasn't announced a premiere date for Tracker season 3, but the network confirmed it will be back for the 2025-26 season, airing in its regular slot of Sunday nights at 8 p.m. ET., per Variety. Hartley believes season 3 will consist of 18–22 episodes, per the video on his Instagram. All episodes of Tracker seasons 1 and 2 are available to stream on Paramount+. Read the original article on People
Forbes
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Will There Be A ‘Tracker' Season 3? Here's The Really Good News
Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw in "Tracker" Season 2. The Season 2 finale of CBS's hit series Tracker premieres on Sunday, May 11, at 8 p.m. ET. As you're watching the nail-biting episode, you might be wondering about the status of Season 3, especially after lead star Justin Hartley teased that a 'major bomb' will be dropped during the season's conclusion. Throughout Season 2, viewers have watched lead protagonist Colter Shaw, played by Justin Hartley, slowly unravel his family's complicated dynamics and the mystery of his father's death. 'We have teased this … what happened to my father. How did he die? Was there foul play?' Hartley recently told CBS News. 'We started the series with that, and now at the end of Season 2, we've sort of systematically kind of picked it apart.' In the Season 2 finale, 'Echo Ridge,' Colter returns to Echo Ridge to investigate a diner owner's disappearance, only to uncover a decades-old kidnapping and a shocking family secret,' according to the official synopsis. Fans should expect a 'major bomb' to be dropped in tonight's episode that will also be 'very satisfying' for fans, Hartley said. 'It tells the story as well which is kind of cool. So it opens up a Pandora's box but it also tells a story, so it's very, very satisfying, which is great.' The actor also hinted that fans will see Shaw's vulnerability at its height. 'You see him kind of fall apart in a way that you wouldn't expect. He is way in over his head and he hears this information and he gets overwhelmed and he kind of crumbles a little bit.' Here's everything to know about the renewal status of Tracker Season 3 and how long you'll have to wait for new episodes. Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw and Drew Powell as Joe in "Tracker" Season 2. Yes, CBS has renewed Tracker for a third season. In February 2025, the network announced Tracker's renewal and nine other shows, including Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Elsbeth, Fire Country, NCIS, and more. "This season, our new and returning series continue to showcase CBS as the leader in launching and programming the biggest hits with mass appeal for broadcast and streaming viewers," said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, in a statement. The CBS Television exec continued, 'These returning shows represent a mix of long-standing hits and a new generation of fan favorites. In collaboration with our extraordinarily talented partners in front of and behind the camera, we look forward to delivering another successful season.' Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw in "Tracker" Season 2. The release date for Tracker Season 3 hasn't been announced. However, the popular CBS show will likely return sometime in fall 2025, probably around October, based on previous release patterns. For example, the second season of Tracker debuted on October 13, 2024, while the first season premiered in the spring on February 11, 2024, following Super Bowl LVIII. Tracker remains CBS's No. 1 entertainment series, drawing over 18 million multiplatform viewers – a 4% increase from last year, according to a press release. Stay tuned for updates on what's in store for Tracker Season 3 following tonight's highly anticipated finale. Watch the promo for Tracker's Season 2 finale below.
