UPDATE: ABC’s comedies Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary have just premiered their 2025-26 seasons with remarkable viewer gains, propelled by significant streaming boosts. The season premieres, which aired on October 1, 2025, showcased the growing impact of digital platforms on television ratings, with both shows experiencing extraordinary increases in viewership within just one week.
Shifting Gears, featuring Tim Allen, initially attracted 4.37 million viewers during its first airing. However, after a week of streaming on platforms including Hulu and Disney+, the audience surged to an impressive 7.57 million viewers. This marks a staggering 73 percent uptick in viewership. The show’s rating among adults aged 18-49 skyrocketed from 0.35 to 1.17, equivalent to approximately 1.59 million viewers in this key demographic.
Abbott Elementary also saw a remarkable performance, growing its viewership from 2.83 million to 6.64 million viewers—a jaw-dropping 135 percent increase. Its 18-49 rating surged sixfold, moving from 0.29 to 1.9, representing around 2.59 million viewers in this crucial age group. This dramatic rise underscores the significant role that streaming and delayed viewing are playing in today’s television landscape.
These developments highlight a continuing trend where streaming platforms contribute substantially to overall viewership numbers. Although detailed breakdowns of linear and streaming viewers for the premieres are not yet available, last season’s data indicates that around 42 percent of Shifting Gears‘ audience came from streaming, while Abbott Elementary garnered more than half of its ratings from digital platforms over five weeks.
As both shows continue to capture audiences, the implications for the television industry are clear: streaming services are redefining how viewership is measured and valued. The substantial boosts in ratings for both comedies reflect not only their popularity but also the evolving habits of viewers who increasingly prioritize on-demand content.
With these impressive ratings, industry analysts will be closely monitoring viewer engagement in the weeks to come. The powerful combination of traditional broadcasting and modern streaming is likely to reshape future programming strategies as networks adapt to changing consumer preferences.
Stay tuned for more updates as the 2025-26 television season unfolds, and these shows continue to redefine their audience reach.