‘Tracker’ Makes a Splash with High-Profile Post-Super Bowl Premiere on CBS
“Tracker” is off to a powerful start at CBS, premiering right after Super Bowl LVIII’s telecast. Following the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the show, starring “This Is Us” alum Justin Hartley, debuted to an impressive 18.4 million viewers.
According to the network, “Tracker” had the most-watched primetime entertainment debut since the 2021 premiere of “The Equalizer,” which also aired post-Super Bowl. With Live+3 day playback stats and an encore presentation of the premiere, estimates suggest that “Tracker” could draw in as many as 25 million viewers overall by the end of the week.
As mentioned, “Tracker’s” series debut episode will air again on Thursday, February 15, at 10/9c, giving viewers another opportunity to catch the show at a more convenient time, especially since the original episode aired following a Super Bowl that went into overtime.
Despite “Tracker’s” substantial post-Super Bowl audience, it didn’t break into the top 15 post-game broadcasts, nor did it surpass Justin Hartley’s other post-game “This Is Us” episode, “Super Bowl Sunday,” which aired in 2018 and drew 26.9 million viewers on its premiere night. The difference lies in the context: “This Is Us” was delivering a pivotal payoff with Jack Pearson’s (Milo Ventimiglia) death, while “Tracker” is just beginning to unfold its story.
“Tracker” launched strongly at CBS with its premiere episode following the telecast of Super Bowl LVIII. Airing after the Kansas City Chiefs’ victory over the San Francisco 49ers, the show, starring “This Is Us” veteran Justin Hartley, attracted an impressive 18.4 million viewers. This debut marked the most-watched primetime entertainment program since the 2021 premiere of “The Equalizer,” which also aired following the Super Bowl.
With its encore presentation scheduled for Thursday, February 15, at 10/9c, “Tracker” aims to reach an even wider audience. This second airing provides viewers with another opportunity to catch the show at a more convenient time, considering the original episode aired after a Super Bowl that went into overtime. Estimates based on Live+3 day playback statistics suggest that the premiere episode could amass up to 25 million viewers overall by the end of the week.
Despite its substantial post-Super Bowl audience, “Tracker” did not break into the top 15 post-game broadcasts. It also did not surpass Justin Hartley’s previous post-game success with “This Is Us.” The episode titled “Super Bowl Sunday,” which aired in 2018, drew 26.9 million viewers on the night of its broadcast. However, it’s important to note the context: “This Is Us” was delivering a pivotal narrative moment with the death of Jack Pearson (Milo Ventimiglia), while “Tracker” is just beginning to establish its storyline.
The Super Bowl itself set a new record with a total audience of 123.4 million viewers across all platforms, including CBS, Paramount+, Nickelodeon, and more. This surpassed the previous record of 115.1 million viewers for last year’s game. While “Tracker’s” debut may not be among the highest post-game premieres, it benefitted from the record-breaking viewership of the Super Bowl.
The premiere of “Tracker” introduces viewers to a thrilling narrative and promising character arcs. As the show progresses, it is expected to attract more viewers and build a dedicated fanbase. The encore presentation on February 15 provides a strategic opportunity for the series to reach those who may have missed the initial airing.
“Tracker” promises to offer engaging storytelling and dynamic performances, especially from Justin Hartley, whose previous work on “This Is Us” has garnered significant acclaim. The show has the potential to become a staple in CBS’s lineup, particularly if it continues to draw in viewers with its compelling episodes.
In conclusion, while “Tracker’s” debut did not reach the heights of some past post-Super Bowl premieres, it still achieved a strong start with 18.4 million viewers. The record-breaking Super Bowl audience provided a substantial lead-in, and the encore presentation on February 15 will likely boost its viewership further. As “Tracker” continues to unfold its story, it is expected to find more viewers and establish itself as a notable addition to CBS’s programming.
What do you think of the ratings? Let us know in the comments section below, and stay tuned for more updates on “Tracker” as the show continues to captivate audiences in the weeks ahead.
“Tracker,” Premiere Episode Encore, Thursday, February 15, 10/9c, CBS.
