“Shifting Gears” Becomes Most-Watched ABC Series Premiere On Hulu & Hulu On Disney+
Earlier this month, Disney released a brand new comedy sitcom called “Shifting Gears”, which stars Tim Allen as Matt, the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop. When Matt’s estranged daughter (Kat Dennings) and her kids move into his house, the real restoration begins.
The series has already been a huge hit for Disney, as the first episode pulled in over 17 million viewers across ABC, Hulu and Hulu On Disney+. Making it ABC’s best new series launch in over six years since 10/16/18 with “The Conners”.
Disney has released some viewing data from Nielsen that states after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, ABC’s acclaimed new comedy “Shifting Gears” has revved up a total cross-platform audience of nearly 17 million Total Viewers, representing a 173% lift over the show’s initial Live+Same Day delivery (16.95 million vs. 6.20 million).
The show is the most-watched ABC series premiere on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+, based on views in its first seven days on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. Currently, the show hasn’t been released on Disney+ in other countries, which will drive the show’s viewership even higher.
Excluding linear encores, Tim Allen’s triumphant return to ABC as Matt, the stubborn, widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, garnered 12.45 million Total Viewers and 2.94 rating in Adults 18-49, growing 101% in Total Viewers over the show’s Live+Same Day audience (12.45 million vs. 6.20 million) and +339% in Adults 18-49 (2.94 rating vs. 0.67 rating).
On linear, “Shifting Gears” earned an impressive 7.82 million Total Viewers becoming one of the most-watched broadcast series premieres of the season and growing markedly over the show’s initial Live+Same Day Audience, where it topped the night in Total Viewers (+26% – 7.82 million vs. 6.20 million).
Among Adults 18-49, “Shifting Gears” earned an 0.87 rating, standing as the strongest premiere of the season in the key Adult demographic, excluding NFL-inflated lead-ins.
Tim Allen executive produces alongside Michelle Nader, Marty Adelstein, Becky Clements, Richard Baker, Rick Messina, John Pasquin, Jim Patterson, Bob Daily and John Amodeo. Pasquin also directed the pilot episode. Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully are executive producers on the pilot episode. Kat Dennings is a producer. The ABC series is produced by 20th Television.
The first couple of episodes are available to stream now on Hulu and Hulu On Disney+ and a new episode is being released every Wednesday on ABC, next day on both Hulu and Hulu On Disney+.
Roger’s Take: There’s little doubt that “Shifting Gears” has had a successful launch and it’ll be interesting to see if it can maintain that viewership, as it’s likely to drop off a little, which is normal for any show. With so few sitcoms being released at the moment, “Shifting Gears” is scratching an itch that most streaming services aren’t offering. It also shows why leaning in on the more traditional type of shows can still be a huge hit for a linear channel and streaming service, but Disney needs to give this show time to grow, if it ever wants to become as popular as other sitcoms like “Last Man Standing”, “Broke Girls” or “Home Improvement”.
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