ABC Wednesday Comedies Return Strong for New Seasons

“Shifting Gears” (8 p.m. ET/PT)

• “Shifting Gears” cruised back for Season 2 and after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, scored 7.57 million Total Viewers and 1.17 rating among Adults 18-49 — rising over the show’s initial Live+Same Day audience by +73% in Total Viewers (vs. 4.37 million) and +234% among Adults 18-49 (vs. 0.35 rating).
• The acclaimed comedy starring Tim Allen as Matt, the stubborn widowed owner of a classic car restoration shop, earned the biggest audience since the show’s Valentine’s Day episode on 2/12/25, rising over the show’s Season 1 finale by +6% in Total Viewers (7.57 million vs. 7.12 million on 3/19/25).

“Abbott Elementary” (8:30 p.m. ET/PT)

• It was back to school with ABC’s award-winning comedy “Abbott Elementary” and after seven days of viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms, the Season 5 premiere earned 6.64 million Total Viewers and a 1.90 rating among Adults 18-49, growing by triple digits in Total Viewers (+135%; 2.83 million) and six times among Adults 18-49 (+555%; 0.29 rating) over the show’s initial Live+Same Day audience.
• The “Abbott Elementary” premiere also jumped over the show’s Season 4 premiere among Total Viewers (+8% – 6.64 million vs. 6.16 million on 10/9/24) as well as the Season 4 average (+4% – 6.64 million vs. 6.38 million), with the show’s biggest audience since 3/12/25.

Both shows return Wednesday, Oct. 15 (airing at 8:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. EDT/PDT, respectively, on ABC and streaming next day on Hulu). On “Shifting Gears,” when Carter’s job pays more than Riley’s, she decides to find her forever career and clashes with Matt over her future. Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias drops by Parker Customs, and Matt debates letting go of a piece of the past. Lori Greiner guest stars. Then at 8:30 p.m. on “Abbott Elementary,” the Abbott crew heads to the ballpark for Teachers’ Appreciation Night at the Philadelphia Phillies game.

Source: ABC Multiplatform+7 Day data and Nielsen National Live+7 Day Big Data Plus Panel Program Ratings for 10/1/25. 24/25 season National Live+7 Day based on Big Data Plus Panel, while prior years are panel only.

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