The highly anticipated spinoff series, “Marshals,” from the popular show “Yellowstone,” made its debut on CBS with a bang. According to Nielsen ratings, the first episode captivated an average of 9.5 million viewers, making it the largest audience for a scripted broadcast series premiere in over seven years, excluding those aired directly after NFL games. The previous record was held by “FBI,” another successful series produced by Dick Wolf, which garnered 10.1 million viewers during its premiere in 2018.
“Marshals” not only claimed the title of the most-watched new series launch of the 2025-2026 broadcast season but also dominated the overall viewership during the week of Feb. 23 to March 1. Prior to the premiere of “Marshals” at 8 p.m. on Sunday, CBS aired “60 Minutes” with 7.2 million viewers, followed by “Tracker” with 8.3 million viewers, and “Watson” with 4 million viewers. This solid lineup helped CBS maintain a significant lead over other networks, with a 171% advantage over ABC, the second most-watched network of the night, and a 21% increase in viewership compared to ABC, NBC, and Fox combined.
“Marshals” marks the expansion of the “Yellowstone” franchise onto the broadcast network, with Luke Grimes reprising his role as Kayce Dutton. The series follows Kayce as he joins an elite unit of U.S. Marshals, utilizing his cowboy and Navy SEAL skills to deliver justice in Montana. Produced by Paramount TV Studios and 101 Studios, “Marshals” brings the rugged and intense world of “Yellowstone” to a new audience on CBS.
In conclusion, the premiere of “Marshals” on CBS proved to be a massive success, drawing in a record-breaking number of viewers and solidifying its place as a powerhouse in the television landscape. Fans can expect more thrilling episodes as the series delves deeper into the complex world of law enforcement and justice in the wild terrain of Montana.
