In a year when some of CBS’s longtime staples registered steep viewership declines, one new drama quietly bucked the trend: Tracker, starring Justin Hartley. After shifting time slots in the fall of 2024, the series not only survived but grew becoming one of the few bright spots on CBS’s primetime slate.
Below, we’ll dissect how Tracker handled the move, contrast it with CBS’s broader struggles, and dig into lessons the network (and other shows) might learn from its performance.
📉 CBS’s 2024 Ratings Headwinds: A Quick Snapshot
Legacy Shows Took a Hit
By mid‑2024, long-standing CBS dramas like NCIS and FBI: Most Wanted showed significant percentage drops in their core demos. NCIS, for instance, slid about 21% year-over-year. Meanwhile, FBI: Most Wanted and Fire Country each slipped by roughly 12%.
These declines signaled a potential vulnerability: even dominant brands on a major network aren’t immune to viewer fatigue, cord‑cutting pressures, or shifting habits.
CBS Still Leads — But the Margin Narrows
Despite the turbulence, CBS managed to claim the title of the most-watched broadcast network again in 2025. The network leaned heavily on high-performing shows Tracker among them to stabilize its overall footprint. But sustaining that dominance amid a fragmented television landscape is increasingly tricky.
What Is Tracker, and Why Did CBS Move It?
A Premise That Marries Procedural With Serialized Hooks
In Tracker, Justin Hartley plays Colter Shaw a “rewardist” or tracker-for-hire who roves across America solving disappearances and mysteries. Each episode wraps a case, but there’s also an undercurrent tied to Shaw’s fractured past and his father’s mysterious death.
That balance episodic wins plus a slow-burn backdrop makes the show friendly for casual viewers while rewarding loyal watchers.
The Time Slot Tweak: From 9 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET
Originally airing at 9 p.m. ET on Sundays, Tracker was shifted to 8 p.m. ET, preceding The Equalizer, in the 2024–2025 season. That move was bold: Tracker would no longer benefit from late-evening viewers; instead, it would anchor an earlier slot.
The gamble? That Tracker could serve as a strong lead-in show pulling viewers into the evening and that it could retain, or even increase, its viewership in that new neighborhood.
How the Numbers Looked: Tracker Post-Slot Change
6% Growth in Live+7 Audience
Interestingly, the numbers suggest the time-shift didn’t hurt—they helped. In its new 8 p.m. slot, Tracker’s Live+7 averages climbed by about 6% compared to Season 1. That’s no small feat for a sophomore season, especially amid market headwinds.
Its Live+7 average reached 11.4 million with a 0.82 rating in the 18–49 demo. For context: most major CBS dramas were shrinking that year.
Strong Premiere in New Slot
The Season 2 premiere itself pulled in 8.3 million Live+Same Day viewers—a robust showing, and the most-watched linear premiere in the 2024‑25 cycle at that point. That undercut fears that shifting earlier would cannibalize the audience.
Top Scripted Show Status
By midseason, Tracker claimed the honor of most-watched scripted broadcast series (post Live+7 adjustments), with the highest demo among dramas. It didn’t just hold ground—it expanded.
Why Tracker Succeeded Where Others Struggled
1. Strategic Slot Placement
Putting Tracker at 8 p.m. gave it a prime “gateway” position. Viewers tuning in earlier might be more inclined to stick around into deeper evening hours. Instead of fighting for scraps at 9 p.m., Tracker became the night’s opening act.
2. Fresh Show + Star Appeal
Justin Hartley brought visibility and credibility—his This Is Us pedigree mattered. Meanwhile, as a newer show, Tracker lacked the baggage of legacy expectations. It could flex, evolve, and adapt.
3. Hybrid Structure That Works for Streaming and Live TV
Because each Tracker episode has a self-contained story, casual viewers don’t feel lost jumping in mid‑season. At the same time, serialized emotional threads give binge-watchers something to chew on. This dual appeal is key in an era when DVR + streaming matter almost as much as the live slot.
CBS attributed part of the show’s success to that very flexibility, noting that it fits well in “CBS brand box” while also adapting for streaming audiences.
4. Momentum and Word-of-Mouth
Momentum is powerful. With Tracker debuting in the spotlight (slotted just after the Super Bowl), early traction helped carry it forward. Once it proved durable, audiences leaned in. The narrative of “this is a breakout hit” helps a show grow.
5. Counterprogramming Strength
In a lineup full of traditional ensemble dramas, Tracker’s lone-wolf, traveling‑hero concept felt different. That distinct tone may have helped it stand out in a crowded Sunday night field.
Caveats & Risks Behind the Numbers
Schedule Disruptions and Viewer Frustration
Despite the strong ratings, Tracker hasn’t had a perfectly smooth ride. Fans complained about erratic scheduling and delayed broadcasts—often due to sports events or special CBS programming interfering. Those disruptions risk eroding viewer trust, especially for a new show still building habitual audiences.
Sustainability in a Fragmented Landscape
The TV ecosystem is more volatile than ever. What works one season might struggle the next under changing viewing habits. Even as Tracker performed well in 2024, it must sustain engagement in future seasons to avoid fatigue.
Overreliance on Lead-In and Flow
Though the 8 p.m. slot bolstered Tracker, CBS must ensure that its surrounding schedule supports it. A weak lead-in or misaligned show order could cut against its momentum.
Looking Ahead: Implications for CBS and the TV Industry
Reassessing Time Slot Strategy
Tracker suggests networks should be bold in repositioning shows—provided there’s compelling creative behind them. Rather than trying to preserve status quo, smart slot shifts can amplify growth.
Investing in Shows With Dual Appeal
Programs that straddle procedural and serialized storytelling will remain valuable. They serve live watchers and streaming viewers alike. Expect more shows to adopt that hybrid model.
Prioritizing Scheduling Consistency
One of the few criticisms of Tracker arises from its schedule volatility. To retain smart, invested viewers, networks must minimize drops, delays, or erratic airings. Consistency builds loyalty.
Use New Hits to Shore Up Weaknesses
CBS’s legacy shows are showing cracks. Elevating newer successes like Tracker can compensate—and even revitalize the network’s evening architecture.
Conclusion
While many of CBS’s established dramas stumbled in 2024, Tracker pulled off something remarkable: it not only resisted the slide but climbed higher after changing its time slot. In migrating to 8 p.m. ET, the show unlocked new audiences, stamped its place in the network’s lineup, and proved that strategic scheduling plus a compelling concept can still conquer turbulence.
The real test now? Watching whether Tracker can keep that momentum in 2025 and beyond—especially as viewing habits evolve faster than ever. But for the moment, it stands as a vivid case study: in the right hands, bold moves don’t just survive—they thrive.
