Tracker is on the move: CBS’s hit action drama will return in 2026 with a new time slot after launching Season 3 on October 19, 2025 and pausing for a midseason break. If you have been waiting for Tracker to get back to the business of finding missing people and stirring up family drama, CBS just locked in its return date — with a timeslot shuffle that puts it in a new Sunday groove.
So when is Tracker actually back?
Per CBS, Tracker Season 3 returns with new episodes on Sunday, March 1, 2025, now airing at 9:00 PM ET instead of its current 8:00 PM ET slot. That earlier hour gets handed to Y: Marshals, the Yellowstone spinoff built around Luke Grimes as Kayce Dutton, which premieres the same night.
Quick refresher on how we got here
The series first launched on February 11, 2024. Season 2 arrived October 13, 2024. The current run — Season 3 — premiered October 19, 2025 and is set to take a midseason break in December before resuming in the new year.
Why the move?
It is part of CBS’ 2025-2026 midseason lineup shuffle. The network is using that 8 PM slot to launch Y: Marshals, which makes sense — you lead a new franchise show into a proven hit, then let Tracker anchor 9 PM. Programming Tetris at its finest.
What is Tracker again?
Developed by Ben H. Winters from Jeffery Deaver’s 2019 novel The Never Game, the show follows Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw, an expert survivalist with unnervingly good tracking skills who finds missing people for law enforcement and private clients. Fiona Rene co-stars as Reenie Greene, with Chris Lee as Randy. The series has been a big performer for CBS; Season 1 holds an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes (19 reviews).
Cast changes you should know about
There has been some turnover lately. Before Season 3 launched, Abby McEnany (Velma) and Eric Graise (Bobby) exited. That follows Robin Weigert (Teddi) leaving after the first season.
If you’re a fan of the survivalist drama Tracker, you’ve probably been counting down the days. Well, great news: Season 3 of Tracker is officially locked in and making a strong comeback in 2026 — and it’s not just the return that’s stirring up excitement, but also a brand-new timeslot. This article dives into everything you need to know: the return date, what’s different, why the shift matters, and what lies ahead for Colter Shaw and his world.
Why Tracker Season 3’s Return Is Big News
A Midseason Hiatus That Built Suspense
Tracker is set to return after a midseason break that began in December.
This isn’t just a typical pause — CBS is making a clear move by repositioning the series in their lineup, signaling that they’re placing long-term faith in its staying power.
Strong Ratings, Big Momentum
Season 3 is arriving on the heels of impressive viewership: recent reports put Tracker’s multi-platform audience just under 14 million in its first seven days of streaming.
That kind of traction likely fueled CBS’s confidence in re-launching the show with a fresh strategy.
When & Where Is Tracker Season 3 Returning?
Return Date Confirmed
CBS has officially announced that Tracker Season 3 will resume on Sunday, March 1, 2026.
This midseason comeback promises to pick up the momentum right where things left off — but with a twist.
New Airing Time: 9 PM ET
Starting with its return, Tracker will move from its former 8 PM ET slot to 9 PM ET, airing from 9:00 PM to 10:00 PM ET.
This change is significant: it opens a new evening window, while CBS introduces the Yellowstone spinoff Y: Marshals at 8 PM.
Where to Watch
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On CBS: Tune in live on Sundays.
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On Paramount+: Premium subscribers can watch same-day; Essential-plan users can stream the day after broadcast.
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Cord-cutters: You can catch it through live TV services like fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, DIRECTV Stream, and YouTube TV.
What’s Driving the Timeslot Shift?
Strategic Programming Moves
CBS isn’t just reordering its Sunday night — the network is launching Y: Marshals, a Yellowstone spinoff, into the 8 PM slot.
By bumping Tracker to 9 PM, CBS can maintain both shows in prime rhythm without cannibalizing viewership.
Trust in the Show’s Strength
A later timeslot often reflects confidence: the network trusts that Tracker can hold onto its audience, even in a more competitive hour. Given its strong performance, that makes total sense.
Expanding Story Time?
A later slot might also give Tracker more breathing room for suspenseful, deeply plotted episodes. It feels like CBS is giving Colter’s story the stage it deserves — more room for drama, tension, and character development.
Story & Cast Evolution: What to Expect in Season 3
Family Secrets Run Deep
Season 3 will double down on Tracker’s most compelling arc: Colter Shaw’s family.
In particular, his estranged brother Russell (played by Jensen Ackles) returns, promising emotional showdowns and tense reconciliations.
The sibling dynamic is set to shine, and fans can likely expect their darkest history to bubble to the surface.
Major Cast Shakeups
This season sees the departure of two fan-favorite regulars: Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany) and Bobby Exley (Eric Graise).
But don’t worry — Tracker isn’t losing depth. Characters like Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene) and Randy (Chris Lee) are still in the mix, meaning new alliances and fresh energy.
A Risky New Direction?
Showrunner Elwood Reid has suggested that cutting some regulars wasn’t just about change — it was about simplifying the world so that other character relationships (like Colter and Reenie) can breathe more.
It’s a bold move, but for a show centered on survival, adaptability might be its strongest trait.
Plot Predictions & Thematic Threads
Revenge, Redemption & Reckoning
With Russell back and Colter’s past mysteries still very much alive, the emotional stakes in Season 3 are high. Expect themes of redemption, revenge, and family reconciliation to drive major storylines.
“The Process” Unfolds
The premiere episodes (“The Process” and “Leverage”) suggest that Tracker is diving into a new, possibly sinister conspiracy.
Colter may find himself not just tracking missing people … but being tracked. That’s a compelling reversal.
Survival vs. Capture
Earlier seasons often saw Colter hunting — now, he might be the one being hunted.
This would raise the tension: survivalist instincts turned inward, questioning his identity and alliances.
Implications of the Timeslot Change
More Mature, Edgier Storytelling
A 9 PM slot tends to give networks flexibility: you can push boundaries more, lean into darker themes, and take risks. For Tracker, that could mean richer plots, grittier drama, and more character complexity.
Competition & Viewership Dynamics
Later time means more competing content — but Tracker has proven it’s up for the fight. With its established audience, this move could attract even more viewers who tune in during peak drama hours.
Long-Term Confidence from CBS
This shift isn’t just tactical; it’s a vote of confidence. CBS is clearly backing Tracker with a key timeslot, suggesting that they see it as a long-term pillar in their Sunday lineup.
Fan Reactions and Community Buzz
Reddit’s Take
Fans on Reddit have reacted strongly: many point to the timeslot move as a double-edged sword — excited for growth, but worried about losing casual viewers.
Some are setting their DVRs earlier to make sure they don’t miss the start, while others praise the shift as a sign that Tracker is “leveling up.”
Social Media Hype
The announcement of a March 1 return and a new 9 PM slot has energized the Tracker fandom. Clips of Colter and Russell’s reunion, plus teaser promos, are already making the rounds with enthusiastic reactions.
How to Prepare For the Return
Catch Up on Seasons 1 & 2
If you haven’t yet, now is the perfect time to binge. Stream on Paramount+ or catch reruns on CBS. Refreshing your memory on past mysteries — especially the Shaw family — will make Season 3 even more satisfying.
Mark Your Calendar
Set a reminder: March 1, 2026, Sunday, 9 PM ET — that’s when Tracker comes roaring back.
Tune Into the Conversation
Join fan forums, subreddits, and social media groups. Theories are flying, predictions are being made, and every trailer is dissection-worthy.
Why This Is the Season to Watch
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Bigger Stakes: With the family mystery deepening, Colter’s journey is more emotionally charged than ever.
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Fresh Dynamics: Russell’s return adds a sibling rivalry (and possibly a reunion) that promises complexity and heart.
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Network Backing: The timeslot move shows CBS is investing in the show’s future.
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Risk & Reward: Losing old regulars can be risky — but it opens up space for new stories, new relationships, and new tension.
Conclusion
Tracker Season 3 is shaping up to be one of the most pivotal chapters yet. With its March 1, 2026 return and a move to the 9 PM ET timeslot, CBS is clearly staking its claim on the series. This isn’t just a return — it’s an evolution. As Colter Shaw’s story deepens, as family secrets come to light, and as the tension builds in a brand-new hour, viewers are in for an emotionally rich, suspense-driven ride. So mark your calendars, spread the word, and get ready: Tracker is coming back stronger than ever.
