‘High Potential’ Gives ABC a Modern Hit For the Streaming Era
In an ever-changing media landscape, it can be difficult to quantify what makes a linear television show a hit. The viewership of today’s top-rated cable shows would have spelled cancelation 15 years ago.
In spite of the cloud of uncertainty that shrouds linear television as a whole, ABC clearly has a hit with High Potential.
HIGH POTENTIAL stars Kaitlin Olson as Morgan. Photo: Disney/Pamela Littky
The Kaitlin Olson-led procedural is averaging 10.42 million viewers through its first five weeks, making it ABC’s most-watched new series in six years. The last time the network had a series fly this high was the 2018 debut of The Connors.
The Series Has Done Well on Linear and Streaming
The October 22 episode of High Potential drew 3.6 million live + same-day viewers. Subsequently, however, the episode increased its viewership linearly to 6.83 million over its first seven days. When factoring in streaming (where the show can be found on Hulu and Disney+), episode five of High Potential delivered 10.49 million viewers.
High Potential. Photo: ABC
Based on the popular French series Haut Potentiel, High Potential follows a single mom with an exceptional mind (Olson) whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective (Daniel Sunjata).
The Future of Content Delivery
After proving that it can draw an audience on linear television and streaming, High Potential is the exact kind of hit that Disney needs. As the lines between linear and streaming continue to blur, Disney has chosen to view the platforms as complimentary distribution methods, not rivals.
High Potential. Photo: ABC
High Potential airs Tuesday nights at 9 PM on ABC. The series also streams on Hulu and Disney+.
