Paramount+ and ABC Lead Early 2026 TV Ratings

As 2026 commenced, Paramount+’s series "Landman" emerged as the frontrunner in total viewership, attracting 14.08 million viewers in its first five weeks. ABC's "High Potential" closely followed with 13.24 million viewers, demonstrating a strong performance for the network. ABC dominated the January ratings with eight shows in the top 20, including "Will Trent," "The Rookie," and "American Idol." Other notable series in the top ten included Netflix's "Bridgerton" and "His & Hers," along with NBC's "Chicago Fire" and "Chicago Med."

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In the adults 18-49 demographic, ABC secured the top three spots with "High Potential," "The Rookie," and "Abbott Elementary." The ratings for the first month of 2026 (January 1 to February 8) revealed the following rankings for broadcast series:

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1. High Potential (ABC) - 2.31 rating

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2. The Rookie (ABC) - 1.97 rating

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3. Abbott Elementary (ABC) - 1.83 rating

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4. Fear Factor: House of Fear (Fox) - 1.45 rating

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5. 9-1-1 (ABC) - 1.28 rating

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ABC's strategy to capitalize on early successes included the midseason premieres of "Scrubs," which garnered 11.4 million viewers shortly after its debut, and "RJ Decker."

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From September 22, 2025, to February 8, 2026, the season-to-date rankings for total viewers were led by CBS's "Tracker" with 14.07 million viewers, followed by "High Potential" at 12.67 million and "Matlock" at 9.83 million. The performance of ABC's shows remained strong, with "Will Trent" and "The Rookie" also featuring prominently in the rankings.

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ABC's early 2026 ratings success reflects the network's strategic programming decisions. The network aims to maintain momentum with additional show premieres and returning series, which are expected to bolster viewer engagement.

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Despite the positive ratings, some critics argue that the reliance on established franchises and formats may limit innovation in programming. Concerns have been raised about the potential stagnation of original content in favor of familiar titles.

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While the ratings data provides a clear picture of viewer preferences, discrepancies exist regarding the exact viewer counts for certain shows, particularly in the adults 18-49 demographic. Further analysis may be required to clarify these figures.

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This early 2026 television landscape highlights the competitive nature of viewership, with Paramount+ and ABC leading the charge in total viewers and key demographics.

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