NBC’s One Chicago universe continues to dominate the network’s primetime lineup, with Chicago Fire, Chicago Med, and Chicago P.D. maintaining their stronghold as fan favorites. However, an interesting shift is unfolding this season: Chicago Med is quickly closing the gap on Chicago Fire in viewership, and it’s easy to see why after the gripping fall finales.
One Chicago’s Ratings Breakdown
This fall, the trio of One Chicago shows claimed the top three spots for NBC’s scripted programming. Chicago Fire remained the leader with an average viewership of 7.8 million and a demo rating of 0.61. Meanwhile, Chicago Med followed closely behind, drawing 7.4 million viewers and a 0.57 demo rating. Chicago P.D. came in third with 6.9 million viewers and a 0.60 rating.
While Fire still holds the top spot, the 400,000-viewer gap between it and Med is the smallest it has been in four seasons. This shift signals a growing interest in the medical drama, which has been delivering standout storytelling under the leadership of new showrunner Allen MacDonald.
Why Chicago Med Is Thriving
Season 10 of Chicago Med has marked a new era for the show. Allen MacDonald’s leadership has brought grittier, more personal storylines to the forefront. According to cast member Steven Weber, the changes have resonated with viewers. He noted, “People are really digging the show and looking forward to it… not just as comfort, but because they’re excited by it.”
The fall finale, which left Sharon Goodwin’s life hanging in the balance, was a masterclass in high-stakes drama. The suspenseful cliffhanger set a new bar for the series, keeping audiences eagerly anticipating the winter premiere. This, combined with Med’s earlier 8 p.m. ET time slot, has given the show a noticeable boost in ratings.
A Steady but Average Season for Chicago Fire
While Chicago Fire maintains its position as the flagship series, Season 13 has been less thrilling than previous installments. The impact of recent cast departures—Jesse Spencer, Kara Killmer, and Eamonn Walker—has become more evident, leaving the show to lean heavily on returning characters like Kelly Severide and Stella Kidd.
The fall finale did offer a nostalgic twist by bringing back Cruz’s brother, Leon, to set up a storyline that promises to explore the show’s roots. However, it lacked the edge-of-your-seat drama of Med‘s finale or the intense stakes of Chicago P.D.
Chicago P.D.: Holding Strong in Late-Night
Despite its 10 p.m. ET time slot, Chicago P.D. continues to deliver compelling narratives. Its fall finale, which highlighted the tension between Reid and Voight, maintained the show’s reputation for gritty, character-driven drama.
While the series’ viewership has dipped slightly compared to last season, this aligns with a broader trend across NBC’s primetime lineup. With major cast changes, including the departure of Tracy Spiridakos as Detective Hailey Upton, P.D. has faced challenges in retaining its audience but remains a solid contender.
What’s Next for One Chicago
The One Chicago universe is set to kick off the new year with its winter premieres on January 8. Fans can also look forward to the first three-show crossover event since 2019, airing on January 29. Interestingly, for this special event, Chicago Med and Chicago Fire will swap time slots, with Med airing at 9 p.m. ET and Fire at 8 p.m. ET.
As Chicago Med continues to close the gap in ratings, all eyes will be on the upcoming episodes to see if it can sustain its momentum and potentially surpass Chicago Fire.
