The 2025–26 television season for ABC is shaping up to be one of its most interesting in years. With shifting viewing habits, streaming platforms rising, and network television under pressure — ABC’s ratings are telling a story that’s as fascinating as any primetime drama. As of November 2025, there’s a lot to unpack: which shows are winning, which are hanging on, and just how traditional TV is adapting to a rapidly changing world.
This article dives deep into the numbers — how ratings are being measured, who’s topping the charts, and what the numbers might mean for your favorite ABC shows. Ready? Let’s roll.
How Are Ratings Even Measured in 2025? (Spoiler: It’s Complicated)
Live + Same-Day vs. Cross-Platform Streaming
Gone are the days when ratings meant just who tuned in live on their television set. Today’s Nielsen Media Research model (and similar metrics) takes into account live viewers plus same-day DVR playback — sometimes even streaming on platforms linked to the network.
Because of this, a slow “linear TV” night can still look great if enough viewers catch up later on streaming or DVR. That’s why some shows on ABC are thriving even if their same-day numbers don’t look spectacular.
The Demo Imperative — 18–49 and 25–54 Matter Most
Advertisers don’t pay for total eyeballs these days — they care about the coveted 18–49 or 25–54 age demos. That’s why even if a show has a lot of total viewers, if it doesn’t hit well in those demos, it might still be on shaky ground.
This shift forces networks like ABC to chase both total views and demo-friendly viewers — a tricky balancing act in a world where older viewers still watch TV traditionally, but younger viewers are often streaming.
Why Weekends and Late Nights Change the Game
When shows air on Fridays, Saturdays, or late nights, advertisers adjust expectations — fewer people watch TV during those slots. That means a show airing at 10 p.m. Saturday with a modest rating might actually be doing fine for its slot. That’s why context matters. You can’t just compare a Friday night drama to a Tuesday night superstar — timeslot and day-of-week play huge roles.
Snapshot — What Shows Are On ABC’s 2025–26 Lineup (So Far)
As of November 26, 2025, these are among the shows airing on ABC this season:
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20/20
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9-1-1
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9-1-1: Nashville
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Abbott Elementary
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America’s Funniest Home Videos
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Celebrity Wheel of Fortune
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Dancing with the Stars
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The Golden Bachelor
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Grey’s Anatomy
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High Potential
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Shark Tank
Some are long-running staples. Others are fresh entries. And some are quietly fighting for relevance.
As we’ll see below — some are thriving, some are wavering.
The Big Winners — Who’s Dominating ABC Right Now
High Potential — The Breakout Star
If there’s one show that’s redefining what a success looks like in 2025, it’s “High Potential.” This newcomer has quickly become a linchpin of ABC’s 2025–26 season.
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The show’s second season has earned a 100% critic approval rating (on Rotten Tomatoes) for now, and a strong Metacritic score.
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From its premiere, “High Potential” saw a 220% jump in total viewership across platforms within three days — a record for ABC’s recent history.
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One of its episodes (Jan 14, 2025) hit a cross-platform viewership high, becoming the most-watched ABC drama in four years when streaming is counted.
In short: “High Potential” isn’t just performing — it’s redefining expectations for what a hit looks like in a streaming-hungry world.
Dancing with the Stars — Still Got Moves
Even in an era where serialized dramas and binge-watching dominate, “Dancing with the Stars” remains a resilient performer. Season 34 wrapped up with its highest finale viewership in nine years.
That kind of longevity and consistency speaks volumes about maintaining loyal audiences — even when tastes shift and streaming becomes king.
Abbott Elementary & Other Steady Performers
While not every show jumps off the chart, a few hold steady. According to recent weekly ratings, “Abbott Elementary” saw a small uptick (+0.03), demonstrating loyalty among its fanbase.
Some older shows and unscripted programs — like “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” “America’s Funniest Home Videos,” or “20/20” — keep contributing to ABC’s overall stable lineup, even if they’re not flashy hit-makers.
The Strugglers — Who’s Hanging On by a Thread
Shark Tank — Not the Force It Once Was
Once a powerhouse in reality / unscripted TV, “Shark Tank” has seen some slippage in the 2025–26 season. ➝ Recent data shows a noticeable dip.
Could this be due to fading novelty? Changing audience interests? Or just stronger competition? Probably a mix of all three.
The Golden Bachelor & Other Risky Bets
Shows like “The Golden Bachelor” — fresh or revived — aren’t exactly setting the world on fire. In weekly rankings, “The Golden Bachelor” remained flat, failing to grow its audience significantly.
In a season where strong hits like “High Potential” raise the bar — middling shows may find themselves under pressure from both ad buyers and network execs.
What the Numbers Mean for ABC — And for Viewers
Streaming Is No Longer Optional — It’s Essential
The success of “High Potential” proves what many in the industry already knew: streaming + DVR + delayed viewing isn’t a bonus — it’s central. If a show only counts its live viewers, it might look weak. But once you add in streaming and delayed playback, the story can change completely.
In short: traditional “live TV ratings” are becoming a historical artifact. The future is cross-platform, always-on, and flexible.
Networks Need a Diverse Slate — Not Just Drama or Reality
ABC’s mixture of reality shows, comedies, dramas, news, and documentaries seems deliberate. Why? Because diversification hedges against changing tastes.
When dramas dip, unscripted shows might hold steady. When streaming-savvy viewers decline, familiar formats like talk shows or reality competitions can compensate.
This adaptability probably explains why some shows are renewed — even if their live numbers don’t wow anyone.
Advertisers Are Watching the Demos — Not the Totals
For ABC and other networks, hitting the 18–49 or 25–54 demographic is everything. A show with moderate total viewers but strong demo numbers might attract more ad dollars than a show with massive total viewers but older-skewing audience. That dynamic shapes what kinds of shows survive.
In essence: it’s not just about how many people watch — but who those people are.
The Bigger Picture — Is This a Turning Point for Network TV?
ABC Is Reinventing What Success Looks Like
If you had told a network executive in 2010 that a show would be judged not just on live viewers but on cross-platform engagement — including streaming and DVR — they might have scoffed. Yet here we are.
ABC’s 2025–26 season shows that success in today’s media landscape is multi-layered: live TV is just one piece of the puzzle. Streaming, delayed viewing, and even social buzz all factor into a show’s “win.”
The rise of “High Potential” and resurgence of “Dancing with the Stars” prove a show doesn’t have to be brand new or groundbreaking to succeed — it just has to adapt.
Viewers — Not Just Networks — Are Winning
For audiences, this transformation is good news. It means more flexibility: watch live, stream later, DVR it, or binge it. Shows that might have been cancelled under old models now get a second life through streaming.
As viewers, we have more control. We’re no longer slaves to broadcast schedules. And because networks need us — and advertisers pay for our attention — we get increasingly high-quality, varied content as a result.
What to Watch Next — What’s Worth Keeping an Eye On
“High Potential” — Is It ABC’s Next Long-Term Flagship?
If “High Potential” continues growing and retaining its streaming audience, it may become ABC’s flagship drama — maybe for years to come. The potential (pun intended) is there for long-term success.
I’d watch for whether its demo ratings hold steady or climb further — that will likely determine whether it gets renewed beyond Season 2.
Can “Shark Tank” Bounce Back — Or Is It Slowly Fading?
“Shark Tank” has had major cultural cachet, but in the new ratings ecosystem, past performance doesn’t guarantee survival. Unless it reinvents itself or finds a new audience, it may slowly fade.
It’ll be interesting to see if ABC tries to give it a streaming boost — maybe with extra content, digital exclusives, or revamps.
Reality & Unscripted Shows — Will They Remain ABC’s Safety Net?
Reality shows, unscripted series, news programs — these might become more important than ever. With serialized dramas becoming expensive and risky, such programs offer stability, lower costs, and consistent audiences.
In a world of streaming competition, they might turn into the reliable backbone of network lineups.
Conclusion
The 2025–26 season for ABC isn’t just another set of shows — it’s a case study in how network TV evolves when challenged by streaming, shifting audiences, and changing ad economics.
“High Potential” shows that a new hit can emerge even in turbulent times — but only if it embraces the full modern viewing ecosystem. At the same time, staples like “Dancing with the Stars” and unscripted series remind us that familiarity and comfort still matter.
For viewers, that’s a win: more flexibility, better choices, and a greater chance that our favorite shows stick around — even if we don’t always tune in live.
If you follow ABC this season, keep one eye on the live ratings… but don’t forget to look at streaming numbers, delayed viewing, and — maybe most importantly — who’s watching. Because the future of network TV isn’t just about viewer count anymore. It’s about viewer behavior.
