Tracker is no longer the king of network TV, unfortunately.
Just a couple of years after ending his successful stint as Kevin Pearson in This Is Us, Justin Hartley didn't waste anytime getting back to work for his small screen return. In 2024, he debuted as the survivalist tracker, Colter Shaw, in Tracker. Its premiere garnered a whopping 18 million viewers when it debuted as CBS's Super Bowl LVIII lead-in. While the numbers have dipped since then, the show has remained at the top of the hierarchy for the most part of the 2025-2026 TV cycle.
Based on "The Never Game," Tracker's premise is straightforward, albeit quite different from its procedural peers. Colter makes a living out of finding missing people, with all of his support team providing assistance remotely. This means that Hartley's character is usually on his own on the ground. Despite overhauling its cast, people remain committed to the series in Tracker season 3, but it has officially met its match.
Per the official viewership numbers for 2026 thus far from Nielsen (via Variety), Tracker is no longer the most-watched show on basic channel. It has officially been dethroned by the Taylor Sheridan-produced Marshals starring Luke Grimes' Kayce. While Hartley's series amassed 16.4 million viewers based on 35-day multiplatform viewership and broadcast/cable L7 ratings charts, the Yellowstone sequel spinoff posted 20.7 million. Overall, Tracker ranks number 7, while Marshals took the number 3 spot — only behind Netflix's Stranger Things and His & Hers.
What makes Marshals' numbers so impressive is that it debuted late in the cycle. The Yellowstone franchise's first network TV show didn't arrive until March and only had a 13-episode first run, which wrapped in late May. Understandably, the fact that it is part of such a massive brand and is backed by Sheridan likely played a part in its success. Throughout their time as CBS's back-to-back tandem on Sunday nights, Tracker and Marshals were neck-on-neck when it came to ratings.
Obviously, Tracker's numbers are still very good in the grand scheme of things. However, it's worth noting that for most of its run, it was untouchable when it came to viewership. While Marshals is doing so well, it's also worth noting that there has been some gradual dip in ratings for Hartley's series. Hopefully, the confirmed changes in Tracker season 4 will help rejuvenate the base, as the series tries to keep things fresh and innovative for its fan base.
In the end, the real winner here is the Eye network, as both shows are on their roster. Tracker and Marshals are guaranteed to continue their run next cycle, with CBS's 2026 fall schedule confirming that they will maintain their current two-hour block on Sunday nights. Whether Sheridan's series pulls away from Hartley's is currently uncertain, but it will be a fun rivalry to keep an eye on.
Tracker season 4 will premiere this fall on CBS.
CBS Sets Fall Dates for ‘Marshals,’ ‘Survivor’ and More
CBS has set its fall premiere dates, and as has been the case for the past few seasons, most of the network’s lineup will launch in early October.
Reality staples Survivor and The Amazing Race will debut a bit earlier, as will 60 Minutes. But all of CBS’ scripted series are set to premiere over six days starting Oct. 4. Marshals and Tracker — the two most watched shows on network TV last season, excluding live sports — are up first that night, remaining in the Sunday night spots they occupied last season.
FBI and CIA follow on Oct. 5, with each show moving up an hour (to 8 and 9 p.m. ET/PT) from their spots last season as CBS eliminated its Monday comedy block for 2026-27. True crime show Harlan Coben’s Final Twist follows at 10 p.m.
An all-NCIS lineup remains on Tuesday nights starting Oct. 6, with newcomer NCIS: New York sandwiched between the flagship series and prequel NCIS: Origins. CBS’ two other new fall series, comedy Eternally Yours and drama Cupertino, premiere Oct. 8 along with Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage and Elsbeth. Ghosts and Matlock are set for midseason premieres, but a pair of Ghosts specials will air on Oct. 29 and Dec. 10 tied to Halloween and Christmas. The Friday lineup of Sheriff Country, Fire Country and Boston Blue debuts Oct. 9.
CBS’ fall premiere dates are below. All times are ET/PT unless noted, and new shows are marked with an asterisk.
Sunday, Sept. 13
7:30 p.m.: 60 Minutes (approximate; follows NFL doubleheader)
Wednesday, Sept. 23
8 p.m.: Survivor
Wednesday, Sept. 30
9:30 p.m.: The Amazing Race
Sunday, Oct. 4
8:30 p.m.: Marshals (approximate; follows NFL doubleheader and 60 Minutes)
9:30 p.m.: Tracker
Monday, Oct. 5
8 p.m.: FBI
9 p.m.: CIA
10 p.m.: Harlan Coben’s Final Twist
Tuesday, Oct. 6
8 p.m.: NCIS
9 p.m.: NCIS: New York*
10 p.m.: NCIS: Origins
Thursday, Oct. 8
8 p.m.: Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
8:30 p.m.: Eternally Yours*
9 p.m.: Elsbeth
10 p.m.: Cupertino*
Friday, Oct. 9
8 p.m.: Sheriff Country
9 p.m.: Fire Country
10 p.m.: Boston Blue
Saturday, Oct. 10
10 p.m.: 48 Hours
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