UPDATE: ABC’s comedies, Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary, have just premiered their highly anticipated 2025-26 seasons with impressive viewing numbers, driven by a significant streaming boost. The October 1, 2025 premieres attracted millions of additional viewers, highlighting the growing impact of streaming platforms on traditional television ratings.
Both shows saw remarkable increases in their audience figures, with Shifting Gears enhancing its initial viewership by 73 percent, growing from 4.37 million to 7.57 million viewers within a week of cross-platform viewing. The show’s rating among adults aged 18-49 soared from 0.35 to 1.17, translating to approximately 1.59 million viewers in that key demographic.
Meanwhile, Abbott Elementary exhibited an even more striking rise, with its audience jumping from 2.83 million viewers on its first airing to 6.64 million viewers after a week of streaming. This marks an impressive 135 percent increase, as its rating among adults aged 18-49 skyrocketed from 0.29 to 1.9, equating to around 2.59 million viewers in the essential ad-sales demographic.
As the television landscape continues to evolve, the viewing patterns for both shows mirror last season’s final cross-platform statistics. In those figures, approximately 42 percent of Shifting Gears’ audience over 35 days came via streaming, while Abbott Elementary attracted more than half of its total viewership from digital platforms.
The immediate impact of these figures emphasizes the crucial role of streaming in shaping viewership trends, with both shows benefiting significantly from platforms like Hulu and Disney+. As audiences increasingly turn to on-demand viewing, the traditional television model faces mounting pressure to adapt.
Experts are closely watching how Shifting Gears and Abbott Elementary will continue to perform in the coming weeks. The rise in ratings not only showcases the strength of these series but also reflects a larger shift in consumer behavior towards streaming and binge-watching.
Viewers are encouraged to tune in and catch up on these comedies as they continue to gain traction. The rapid growth in viewership underscores the urgency for networks to innovate and meet the evolving demands of their audiences.
Stay tuned for further updates as the ratings landscape develops.
