Tim Allen's Sitcom Sets 6-Year Viewership Record For ABC Despite 42% RT Score

Tim Allen's new sitcom Shifting Gears has made a remarkable debut, setting a new viewership record for ABC. The show, which premiered on January 8, follows Matt (Allen), a widower who runs an auto shop, who reluctantly takes in his estranged daughter (Kat Dennings) and her two children, Carter (Maxwell Simkins) and Georgia (Barrett Margolis). Despite a 42% Rotten Tomatoes score, the series got off to a strong start ratings wise, raising the bar for ABC titles in the Wednesday 8 p.m. timeslot.

According to TheWrap, Shifting Gears saw a 173% increase in viewership compared to its initial live-plus-same-day audience of 6.2 million, which they received from Nielsen Media Research. Viewership was particularly strong among adults aged 18 to 49, where it earned a solid 0.87 rating. Shifting Gears' success is not just limited to linear television, it also performed well on streaming platforms, with 12.45 million total viewers excluding encore airings. This all totaled to 16.95 million views across network and streaming, making it the most-watched series premiere for ABC since The Conners in 2018.

What This Means For ABC's Current & Future Programming

The Show's Numbers Could Influence Future Programming Decisions

The record-breaking viewership of Shifting Gears highlights ABC's growing ability to capture viewership across both linear and streaming platforms. With 16.95 million viewers, the show surpassed expectations, and this strong performance on ABC, Hulu, and Hulu on Disney+ suggests that the show's broad audience appeal, including the 173% viewership increase, plays a significant role in ABC's continued engagement with a variety of platforms and demographics. It also highlights the viability of combining traditional broadcasting with streaming to maximize audience reach.

Furthermore, the success of Shifting Gears also suggests that ABC is prioritizing shows with widespread appeal. The 26% increase in viewership on linear television, from 6.2 million to 7.82 million viewers, signals that viewers are still tuning in to traditional broadcasts, particularly as they engage with streaming platforms. This trend could influence ABC's future programming decisions, encouraging more shows with mass appeal that attract both live and on-demand audiences.

Moreover, Shifting Gears’ strong first season could signal a shift in ABC’s overall programming strategy, encouraging more star-driven comedies to boost viewership. With Tim Allen in the leading role, the show is tapping into his established audience, which likely contributed to its high viewership numbers. ABC may look to replicate this approach by casting other well-known stars to anchor future projects, potentially helping the network maintain a competitive edge in the television industry.

Our Take On Shifting Gears’ Total Viewership Numbers

Despite Mixed Reviews, Its Numbers Are Impressive

The viewership numbers for the show are undeniably strong, even if Shifting Gears' critical reception has been mixed. The show's ability to attract nearly 17 million viewers, despite its low Rotten Tomatoes score, demonstrates the power of established stars and of effective cross-platform distribution. If Shifting Gears can maintain this momentum, it could reshape ABC’s programming decisions in the years to come, pushing the network to prioritize shows with broad appeal and star power.

Source: TheWrap