‘Tracker’ Season 3 Return Helps CBS Win Its ‘Premiere Week’

“Tracker” Makes a Strong Return to CBS Lineup

The highly anticipated return of the hit CBS drama “Tracker” has not disappointed fans, with the Season 3 premiere drawing in an impressive 12.97 million viewers on Oct. 19, according to Nielsen’s live+7-day multiplatform data. This marks a significant 17% increase from last year’s Season 2 premiere, showcasing the show’s enduring popularity.

“Tracker” is just one of four CBS shows that have managed to secure a spot in the top 5 for the current fall season, based on the latest multiplatform 7-day viewing chart for the 2025-2026 broadcast season. This achievement is particularly noteworthy considering that the chart only includes entertainment programming, excluding sports which typically dominate primetime TV.

CBS took a strategic approach by holding off the majority of its scripted series premieres until mid-October, labeling the week of Oct. 12 as “CBS Premiere Week.” This decision seems to have paid off, as viewers eagerly tuned in to catch up on their favorite shows.

In addition to “Tracker,” other CBS shows that have been performing well this season include “Matlock,” which has been averaging 10.7 million viewers after two episodes, the longstanding newsmagazine “60 Minutes” with 8.9 million viewers after four episodes, and the new spinoff “Boston Blue” from “Blue Bloods,” which debuted on Oct. 17 to an audience of 8.64 million viewers.

The success of “Boston Blue” is particularly noteworthy, as it saw a 6% increase compared to the year-ago “Blue Bloods” season average. Other series premieres that have caught viewers’ attention include “Sheriff Country,” a spinoff of “Fire Country,” which averaged 7.73 million viewers on its premiere night, and the new comedy “DMV,” which launched with 6.6 million viewers on Oct. 13.

Returning CBS favorites have also been holding their own, with the Season 23 premiere of “NCIS” averaging 8.6 million viewers, the Season 5 premiere of “Ghosts” pulling in 8.27 million viewers, and the first two episodes of “Elsbeth” Season 3 averaging 8.26 million viewers. Additionally, the Season 2 premiere of the comedy “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” attracted 7.85 million viewers, while the Season 8 premiere of “FBI” averaged 7.58 million viewers.

Thanks to the strong performance of these series, CBS currently leads the fall season in live+7 ratings for entertainment programming, averaging 6.8 million viewers across all platforms. The network is followed by ABC with 6.5 million viewers, NBC with 5.7 million viewers, and Fox with 3.1 million viewers.

The return of these beloved shows has undoubtedly solidified CBS’s position as a powerhouse in the TV landscape, captivating audiences and delivering top-notch entertainment week after week. Fans can expect more thrilling episodes and captivating storylines as these series continue to dominate the airwaves.