Numbers matter—and when it comes to Boston Blue, the numbers tell a far more compelling story than live ratings alone.
As a former broadcast journalist who began my career in Boston, I’ve always been drawn to ratings analysis. And Boston Blue is a perfect example of why looking only at same-day viewers no longer captures a show’s true impact. Once delayed viewing and streaming are taken into account, the picture changes dramatically—and decisively in the show’s favor.
Delayed & Multi-Platform Ratings: Where Boston Blue Truly Shines
In today’s television landscape, success is measured by Live+7 multi-platform viewership—how many people watch a show within seven days across linear TV, DVR, and streaming platforms like Paramount+. This is where Boston Blue proves it is not just surviving, but thriving.
The series delivered a massive audience lift from its premiere. While the first episode drew 4.68 million viewers live and same day, that number surged to an estimated 8.64 million viewers once delayed and streaming views were included. Nearly doubling its audience in Live+7 is considered a major win in modern television metrics.
Streaming, in particular, has become Boston Blue’s secret weapon. CBS reports that Paramount+ viewership for the show is up an impressive 87% compared to its time-slot predecessor, Blue Bloods, last fall—a striking indicator that the series is resonating with digital audiences and younger viewers who no longer prioritize live television.
Across the first several weeks of the season, Boston Blue is averaging around 8.0 million viewers in Nielsen Live+7 multi-platform ratings. The takeaway is clear: while its live numbers remain steady, its delayed and streaming performance elevates it into certified-hit territory for the network.
How Boston Blue Stacks Up Against Other CBS Shows
When placed alongside the rest of the CBS lineup, Boston Blue continues to impress. In Live+7 multi-platform rankings, the show currently sits among the top five CBS series, trailing only established powerhouses like NCIS.
Even more notably, Boston Blue ranks as the #1 new scripted series on the network, a critical achievement in a competitive broadcast environment where new dramas often struggle to find traction.
Final Takeaway
Boston Blue may not dominate headlines with flashy overnight ratings, but its real strength lies in how audiences actually watch TV today. Strong delayed viewing, exceptional streaming growth, and competitive standing against veteran CBS hits all point to the same conclusion:
This is a show that’s building momentum—not fading—and CBS clearly has a long-term success story on its hands.
Sometimes, the most interesting numbers are the ones that don’t show up overnight.