High Potential is surging at exactly the right time. After premiering on September 16, 2025, the Season 2 opener has climbed to 17.23 million multiplatform viewers in 35 days across ABC, Hulu, Disney+, and other platforms — an increase of 17% over the series premiere’s 14.71 million in 35 days, and an 11% lift over Season 1’s average audience of 15.52 million. Versus its same‑day audience of 4.34 million on September 16, that’s a near‑300% jump. With two extra linear broadcasts included, the premiere’s running total reaches roughly 21.48 million in that 35‑day window.
The week‑over‑week story is just as strong. Season 2 is averaging about 12.38 million viewers per episode after seven days, up 19% from Season 1’s 10.38 million. On non‑broadcast platforms alone, the sophomore run is performing 25% higher than last fall, with around 7.59 million viewers per episode in the seven‑day window.
Season 2 returns January 6 with 11 new episodes
After a fall stretch of seven episodes and a brief hiatus, High Potential returns on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, in a new 9/8c slot on ABC, with 11 new episodes rounding out the show’s expanded 18‑episode second season. New installments stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+. ABC is keeping the tease simple and on‑brand: “New season, new cases, new mysteries to solve.”
That midseason structure — seven before the break, eleven to close — aligns with how viewers have been catching up across platforms. The multiplatform growth gives the Tuesday lineup added momentum heading into winter.
(Disney/Christine Bartolucci)
KAITLIN OLSON
Cast & guest stars (Season 2)
- Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory
- Daniel Sunjata as Adam Karadec
- Javicia Leslie
- Deniz Akdeniz
- Amirah J
- Matthew Lamb
- Judy Reyes
- Steve Howey
- Upcoming guest star: Keith Carradine (with “major celebrities” promised for the back half)
What these numbers mean for the back half
When a Season 2 premiere can scale from 4.34 million same‑day to 17.23 million in 35 days — and roughly 21.48 million when two additional linear telecasts are factored — you have the rare broadcast procedural that builds a second audience off‑night. The seven‑day average of 12.38 million (up 19% year‑over‑year) and the 25% lift on non‑broadcast platforms (about 7.59 million per episode) point to sticky word‑of‑mouth and heavy library sampling on Hulu and Disney+. If those curves hold after January 6, the final 11 episodes could push Season 2’s full‑run averages even higher.
How and when to watch
When: Tuesdays at 9/8c, beginning January 6, 2026 (new episodes weekly; 11 remaining)
Where: Live on ABC; next‑day streaming on Hulu and Disney+
Season order: 18 episodes total for Season 2 (7 aired in fall 2025; 11 to come in winter 2026)
Bottom line: High Potential returns with momentum, a primetime upgrade, and a loaded guest‑star slate — the ideal conditions for a back‑half ratings run.
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