Tim Allen’s latest ABC sitcom, “Shifting Gears,” is accelerating its ratings to new heights. ABC has announced that the series has achieved the title of the most-watched ABC series premiere on streaming platforms to date. The premiere episode, which aired on January 8th, has garnered close to 17 million views across multiple platforms, including Hulu, Disney+, and other digital platforms. This impressive number marks a significant increase from the show’s initial live viewership of 6.2 million.
If we exclude linear repeats, the show’s seven-day multiplatform average stands at 12.45 million viewers, a remarkable 101% increase from its live viewership. Additionally, the show has achieved a 2.94 rating with adults 18-49, representing a 339% surge from its initial ratings.
ABC has proudly declared that “Shifting Gears” is the network’s most-watched debut since “The Conners” premiered in 2018. The show follows Tim Allen’s character, Matt, a stubborn widower who owns a classic car restoration shop. When his estranged daughter, played by Kat Dennings, and her children move in with him, the real restoration work begins. The ensemble cast also includes Seann William Scott, Daryl “Chill” Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis.
In addition to the success of “Shifting Gears,” the crossover episode featuring “Abbott Elementary” and “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” also made waves on January 8th. This crossover episode achieved a series high for “Abbott Elementary” in streaming numbers, with a total of 8.05 million viewers and a 2.57 rating with adults 18-49 over a seven-day period. The only episode to surpass this performance was the post-Oscars episode last March.
The “Abbott”/”Sunny” crossover episode garnered 4.9 million viewers in linear L+7 ratings, a 28% increase from its live numbers. The episode also achieved a 0.9 rating with adults 18-49, marking a 32% increase from its initial ratings.
Overall, both “Shifting Gears” and the “Abbott Elementary”/”It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” crossover have proven to be major successes for ABC, showcasing the network’s ability to attract a wide audience across various platforms. With such impressive viewership numbers and ratings, these shows are sure to continue captivating audiences in the weeks to come.
