In a closely contested race for broadcast television supremacy in 2025, ABC's 'High Potential,' starring Kaitlin Olson as superintelligent sleuth Morgan Gillory, has narrowly secured the top spot in Nielsen's ratings. Despite a formidable challenge from CBS's 'Tracker,' 'High Potential' achieved an impressive average of 16.5 million viewers, just edging out Colter Shaw's 'Tracker' which garnered 16.4 million. This virtual tie underscores the significant impact both series had on the broadcast landscape, affirming their dominance in both linear and multiplatform viewership.

The crucial differentiator in 'High Potential's' victory proved to be its strong performance in streaming. While 'Tracker' maintained a clear lead in linear viewership with 11 million tuning in on CBS compared to 'High Potential's' 8.6 million, the Drew Goddard-created series more than compensated on streaming platforms, attracting 7.9 million viewers against 'Tracker's' 5.4 million. These figures were meticulously calculated using linear plus streaming content ratings data, based on a comprehensive 35-day viewing window to capture a holistic impression of audience engagement. It is noteworthy that 'High Potential's' final tally was based on 12 episodes aired within the measured timeframe, whereas 'Tracker' debuted 14 episodes.

This triumph is particularly significant for 'High Potential,' a relatively new series that concluded its debut season earlier in the year before launching its anticipated second season in September. The show successfully dethroned 'Tracker,' which had recently been considered the unshakable king of broadcast television. 'High Potential's' win also marked a major achievement for ABC, as it managed to overcome a field dominated by four CBS shows in the top five, including 'Tracker,' 'Ghosts,' and 'Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.' No other program came close to matching the viewership might of these two frontrunners, with the Kathy Bates-led 'Matlock' securing a distant third with 13.2 million viewers.

The appeal of 'High Potential' spans across diverse demographics, demonstrating its wide reach. The series led all other broadcast programs in the coveted 18-49 demographic and secured second place among adults aged 18-34, teens aged 12-17, and remarkably, children aged 2-11. Critics and audiences alike have lauded the show for its engaging blend of mystery, comedy, and character drama, centered around Olson's portrayal of an unconventionally brilliant single mother. This widespread acclaim is reflected in its impressive Rotten Tomatoes scores of 98% from critics and 78% from audiences.

Looking ahead to 'High Potential' Season 2, the narrative promises heightened stakes and complex challenges. After Morgan Gillory earned her place as a full-fledged member of the LAPD team in the first season, her return sees her directly confronting 'The Game Maker,' played by David Giuntoli. The debut season's finale teased a deeply personal battle of wits, as 'The Game Maker' became aware of Morgan's and her children's whereabouts. Concurrently, a new compelling lead emerged concerning Morgan's first husband, Roman, who was unexpectedly revealed to be alive.

While 'The Game Maker' was ultimately bested in the earlier part of the season, the midseason finale introduced a dark and thrilling twist to the search for Roman, revolving around his recovered backpack. As the series prepares for its return, Morgan, alongside Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), Selena Soto (Judy Reyes), Oz (Deniz Akdeniz), Daphne (Javicia Leslie), and the rest of the team, will face enigmatic new threats. Their collective mission will involve unraveling intricate cases in the hopeful pursuit of finding their missing man. 'High Potential' Season 2 is scheduled to return to ABC on January 6.