The Rookie Achieves Season-High Ratings with Latest Episode

LOS ANGELES, CA — ABC’s drama series The Rookie reached its highest viewership ratings of the season with 8.25 million total viewers and a 1.67 rating among adults 18-49 for the episode aired March 25. This episode, titled “Speed,” showcases not only rising interest in the show, but also signifies the network’s successful positioning on Tuesday nights.

The episode marked a substantial leap in viewership, with a strong 43 percent (approximately 3.57 million viewers) coming from streaming, reflecting changing consumption patterns. Additionally, the 18-49 demographic yielded about 2.24 million viewers, representing the best ratings for the series since the penultimate episode of season two in May 2020.

In “Speed,” main characters John (Nathan Fillion) and Celina (Lisseth Chavez) find themselves caught in a hostage situation while Tim (Eric Winter) confronts Lucy’s (Melissa O’Neil) decision-making. The gripping storyline resonated well with audiences, contributing to the surge in viewership.

This success aligns with ABC’s broader strategy on Tuesday nights, where all three of its dramas—including new series High Potential— have averaged over 10 million viewers since the season began. High Potential leads the trio with 15.31 million viewers, followed by The Rookie and Will Trent at 11.35 million and 10.91 million, respectively.

Moreover, The Rookie has seen improvement in its linear ratings since it shifted to a 9 p.m. ET/PT time slot in mid-February, averaging 3.34 million same-day viewers—an increase of 11 percent from its previous time slot.

The upward trend in ratings is critical for The Rookie, signaling a revitalization of the series that has been appreciated by audiences and critics alike. As the series continues its current season, fans are eager to see how the storytelling evolves and whether it can maintain this momentum.

The drama’s combination of compelling narratives and character development appears to be striking a chord with viewers, highlighting the importance of understanding audience preferences in today’s competitive television landscape.