Abbott Elementary Season 2 Premiere Soars in Viewership; Sarah Hyland Heads to Freevee to Host Series

Tuesday, October 04, 2022

Abbott Elementary Season 2 Premiere Soars in Viewership; Sarah Hyland Heads to Freevee to Host Series

Network TV shows that are not live events or sports are mostly watched on DVR, onDemand or on streaming services (Hulu, Peacock, etc) these days. Megahit comedy Abbott Elementary does a respectable live+same day linear TV number in terms of today's numbers but that's no where near its total viewership audience per episode. After 7 days of multiplatform (MP7) viewing, the second season premiere jumped over +300% in Adults 18-49. And that will be even higher after 35 days. It's the present and future of how we watch television and the broadcast networks know this. Here is what ABC released: After just seven days of multiplatform viewing, the second season premiere of Abbott Elementary skyrocketed to a 2.38 rating among Adults 18-49, soaring more than 4 times over its initial Live+Same Day rating (+318% - 0.57 rating). Abbott Elementary also picked up an additional +4.1 million Total Viewers over its Live+Same Day average (2.9 million) to hit 7.0 million viewers after seven days of multiplatform viewing. Abbott Elementary delivered its largest-ever delayed-viewing lift with Total Viewers (+4.1 million) and its 2nd-biggest-ever increase among Adults 18-49 (+318%).

The season 2 premiere of Abbott Elementary nearly doubled its December series debut (on 12/7/21) among Adults 18-49 (+92% - 2.38 rating MP7 vs. 1.24 rating Mp7), while soaring by 52% in Total Viewers (7.0 million vs. 4.6 million). In fact, the ABC sitcom launched its second season with series highs in both Adults 18-49 (2.38 rating) and Total Viewers (7.0 million). Based on linear Live+7 Day program ratings, the second season premiere of Abbott Elementary matched the series' highest-rated telecast among Adults 18-49 (0.9/8) and drew its 2nd-largest audience ever in Total Viewers (4.3 million). Abbott Elementary improved over its December series debut (on 12/7/21) by 16% in Total Viewers (4.3 million vs. 3.7 million) and by 13% with Adults 18-49 (0.9/8 vs. 0.8/6). In addition, the sophomore ABC sitcom built over its April first season finale (3.8 million and 0.8/6, respectively, on 4/12/22) in both Total Viewers (+13%) and Adults 18-49 (+13%).

So it's time to stop looking/reporting at a small piece of a pie (linear live+same day) and start looking at a full piece of pie (MP7/MP35) when looking at broadcast enterainment series. Viewing habits have changed, so reporting should reflect that.

Play-Doh Squished

Amazon Freevee revealed the official trailer and premiere date for the Freevee Original series Play-Doh Squished. The lively competition show is hosted by Sarah Hyland (Modern Family, Pitch Perfect Bumper in Berlin). Based on the hit holiday special released last year, and featuring updates reflecting the shift from special to series, the first episode premieres exclusively on Freevee November 11 in the U.S. and UK, with new episodes available on the service every Friday thereafter until February 24, 2023. Sarah Hyland will be joined each week by resident Play-Doh expert Jason Loik as well as two standing judges, painter Alexandra Nechita and sculptor Gil Grimmett. An all-star lineup of celebrity guest judges adds to the fun, including Sarah's hudband Wells Adams, Stephen "tWitch" Boss, Modern Famly mom Julie Bowen, D'Arcy Carden, "Young Dylan" Gilmer, Tony Hale, Chloe Kim, Marshawn Lynch, Alyssa Milano, Madison Pettis, Jay Pharoah, Jaime Pressly, Francia Raisa, Rob Riggle, and Kristen Schaal. Each episode will feature a new theme to inspire teams as they build their Play-Doh creations. From creating monsters, to designing out-of-this-world terrains, teams will be challenged to use Play-Doh tools and compound in a variety of new ways.