The broadcast race is officially heating up. CBS has confirmed that Tracker Season 3, led by Justin Hartley, will premiere in just two weeks, adding even more competition to a fall season already stacked with network heavyweights and streaming power plays.
CBS Doubles Down on Its Breakout Hit
Since its debut, Tracker has quietly become one of CBS’s most reliable dramas, drawing millions of viewers with its mix of action, mystery, and character-driven stakes. Now, with the network officially setting the Season 3 launch, industry insiders are calling it one of the most crucial pillars of CBS’s 2025 lineup.
“Tracker has been a gift,” a CBS programming executive told reporters. “It’s both a ratings winner and a critical darling. Season 3 is about proving it can become a flagship franchise.”
The Fall TV Battlefield
CBS isn’t the only network playing high-stakes TV chess. Within days of Tracker’s premiere announcement, NBC revealed that Chicago Fire and Chicago P.D. had been renewed for additional seasons, keeping the “One Chicago” universe alive well into 2026. ABC, meanwhile, is betting big on returning hits like Grey’s Anatomy and a fresh wave of limited series.
Netflix, not to be outdone, just unveiled its own 2025 slate—stacked with buzzy originals and the surprise renewal of The Night Agent, signaling that the streaming giant still intends to dominate the action-thriller space CBS has been carving out.
Justin Hartley at the Center of the Storm
For Hartley, the timing couldn’t be better. With his star power rising from both Tracker and recent film projects, he’s become one of the most in-demand names in Hollywood. His dual role as both actor and executive producer gives him leverage not just in Tracker, but in shaping CBS’s overall drama identity.
“Justin Hartley is CBS’s not-so-secret weapon,” one analyst remarked. “He brings ratings, prestige, and a fanbase that follows him everywhere.”
Networks Brace for a New Era
What’s most striking about the current landscape is how aggressively broadcast TV is fighting back against streaming. Just a few years ago, Netflix and Prime Video were threatening to make network TV obsolete. But with CBS investing in Tracker, NBC pushing its One Chicago empire, and ABC leaning into proven long-runners, the fall 2025 season looks like a true showdown between traditional television and digital platforms.
Fans Win Either Way
At the end of the day, viewers have more to celebrate than ever. With Tracker Season 3 locked and loaded, Chicago shows renewed, and streamers expanding their catalogs, the next few months promise wall-to-wall TV dominance.
The only real question left: which show will own the cultural conversation in 2025—CBS’s Tracker, NBC’s Chicago juggernaut, or Netflix’s ever-expanding empire?
