Full Breakdown
ABC's Reality Programming and WWE SmackDown Ratings Update
9/24/2025, 6:07:53 AM
ABC's Evolving Programming Landscape
The ABC network has made significant changes to its programming strategy as it resumes its Renew/Cancel column for the new season. With an increasing focus on unscripted content, the column will now cover both reality shows and scripted series. This week, the spotlight is on two of ABC's prominent programs: "High Potential" and "Dancing with the Stars."
Performance of "High Potential"
"High Potential" debuted with a rating of 0.34, a figure that reflects its challenging time slot at 10 PM, which has seen declining viewership. Despite this, the show has demonstrated strong performance in earlier time slots, previously achieving higher ratings when aired at 9 PM. Last season, "High Potential" garnered an impressive 16.1 million viewers, ranking as the fifth most-watched show across all platforms. Its current performance suggests it remains a significant asset for ABC, leading to a prediction of a certain renewal for the series.
"Dancing with the Stars" Resurgence
"Dancing with the Stars" has solidified its position as a leading program on broadcast television, returning this season with a rating of 1.06, a notable increase from its previous season's debut of 0.73. The show has consistently attracted high viewership, even achieving a remarkable finale rating of 1.14 last season. Its resurgence is attributed to its strategic return to ABC amidst industry strikes, and it is now considered a safe bet for renewal, with expectations that it will continue to dominate ratings.
WWE SmackDown Viewership Insights
On September 19, 2025, WWE SmackDown recorded an average viewership of 1.342 million on the USA Network, marking a slight increase from the previous week's 1.316 million. The show maintained a 0.37 rating in the 18-49 demographic, consistent with prior weeks. This episode served as the final "go-home show" leading into the highly anticipated WWE WrestlePalooza event, featuring significant matches and appearances from top wrestlers like Brock Lesnar.
Competitive Landscape
In the context of sports competition, SmackDown faced notable viewership from various events, including college football games and the WNBA Playoffs. Despite this competition, SmackDown managed to lead cable programming for the night, highlighting its continued relevance in the television landscape.
Official Statements & Responses
ABC's programming decisions reflect a broader trend in the television industry towards unscripted content, as noted in the Renew/Cancel column. The success of "Dancing with the Stars" and "High Potential" underscores the network's strategy to adapt to changing viewer preferences.
Criticism & Opposition
While the focus on unscripted programming has garnered positive attention, some critics argue that the shift may detract from the quality and diversity of scripted content on ABC. Concerns have been raised about the long-term implications of prioritizing reality shows over traditional narratives.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The truth is that this is a major hit show for ABC, and a streaming powerhouse.” — Source, ABC Renew/Cancel Column
- “Dancing with the Stars: "Unbelievable" is probably the most appropriate way to describe the resurgence of Dancing with the Stars.” — Source, ABC Renew/Cancel Column
This comprehensive overview highlights the evolving landscape of ABC's programming and the competitive performance of WWE SmackDown, reflecting the dynamic nature of television viewership in 2025.
