'Shifting Gears' With Tim Allen Becomes ABC's Best Series Launch in 6 Years With 17 Million Viewers | Exclusive

Table of Contents

"The Abbott Elementary" and "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" crossover also marked a ratings high with more than 8 million viewers.

You're currently reading a special WrapPRO article for free. Want to take your entertainment career to the next level? Visit the website for additional details .

The show attracted nearly 17 million total viewers across all platforms in the first week after its premiere on ABC, as well as on Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, according to figures revealed exclusively by .

The comedy series starring Tim Allen and Kat Dennings drew a total of 16.95 million viewers, making a 173% gain from its initial live viewing of 6.2 million, according to Nielsen. Among adults between the ages of 18 and 49, the show achieved a rating of 0.87.

It marks ABC's strongest series debut in 2018 since "The Conners" and the most-watched new series premiere to date on streaming, in terms of views, across the first seven days on Hulu and Disney+.

Excluding reruns, "Shifting Gears" had a total of 12.45 million viewers and earned a rating of 2.94 in the 18-49 age category, which is a 101% increase from its initial audience when it was first broadcast. On traditional TV, the series attracted 7.82 million viewers, a 26% increase from its initial audience size.

"Shifting Gears" focuses on a reunion between Matt, a stubborn widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, and his estranged daughter Riley, who comes back into her dad's life with her adolescent children. The movie also features Seann William Scott, Daryl Chill Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis.

Dennings also serves as a producer on the series, which is produced by 20th Television, part of Disney Television Studios.

The winter return of "Abbott Elementary" and its crossover event with "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" reached a record high, with 8.05 million total viewers watching on Hulu and Disney+ within the first seven days. The show also received a strong 2.57 rating among adults aged 18 to 49. Looking at linear viewing, "Abbott's" midseason return reached 4.9 million total viewers, a 28% increase from its previous live and same-day audience of 3.82 million.

The episode features the "Always Sunny" cast becoming volunteers to help out Abbott, which ultimately disrupts the school dynamics. Charlie, Mac, Dee, Dennis, and Frank interact with Janine, Gregory, Melissa, Barbara, Ava, Jacob, and Mr. Johnson.

The episode was executive produced by Abbott Elementary co-showrunners and executive producers Justin Halpern and Patrick Schumacker.

"Shifting Gears" and "Abbott Elementary" air on Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Eastern and Pacific times on ABC, respectively, with the option to stream them the following day on Hulu.

.