CBS’s 3-Part Lone Wolf Series Defies All Odds To Become TV’s Most-Watched Show

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In today’s crowded TV landscape, it’s rare for a show to really stand out, making CBS’s three-part series a remarkable success. Most network television is filled with comedies and crime/investigation shows – everything from police dramas to medical mysteries – and these formats continue to be popular. However, there’s also a desire for fresh ideas, as seen in shows like the recent Matlock reboot with Kathy Bates and the unfortunately short-lived Found, which both tried to offer something different.

Despite the rise of different types of shows, traditional procedural dramas still dominate network television ratings. Most of the highest-rated shows, like long-running series such as NCIS, Chicago Med, and the Yellowstone spin-off Marshals, fall into this category. These shows rely on strong casts and the actors’ chemistry to keep viewers engaged, even when the individual weekly storylines aren’t particularly captivating. However, Tracker is a notable exception to this trend, and it’s proving to be very successful.

Justin Hartley stars in Tracker, a 2024 series about Colter Shaw, a man who dedicates his life to finding missing people while also investigating the mystery surrounding his father’s death. The show largely depends on Hartley’s performance, as he typically works alone, teaming up with local contacts to solve each week’s case. Despite this, Tracker quickly became a massive hit, becoming the most-watched show on television. The premiere episode, following Super Bowl LVIII, drew an impressive 18.4 million viewers. Throughout its first season, the show averaged 10.4 million weekly viewers, and season two saw even higher numbers, averaging 17.34 million.

Tracker Still Needs To Change Despite Its Success

While Tracker mainly focuses on Colter, it does feature a few supporting characters. He gets help from lawyer Reenie and a jack-of-all-trades named Randy, though they usually offer assistance from a distance, appearing briefly each week with important information. Colter’s brother, Russell Shaw, played by Jensen Ackles, pops up occasionally, but only in a few episodes per season. Ultimately, Hartley is the only consistent star; the show wouldn’t work without him. For much of its run, Tracker has been the most-watched show on television, and nothing has really challenged its position.

Despite its success, Tracker needs significant changes for season 4. Marshals is a strong competitor, and with both shows returning in the 2026-2027 season, Tracker has a real chance to surpass it in popularity. However, the show can’t rely solely on the character of Colter. Making a network series with many episodes each year is demanding, especially for Kevin Hartley, who also produces the show. If CBS wants Tracker to continue for many years, it needs to expand its storylines and characters.

Now that season 4 of Tracker is confirmed, the network has an opportunity to refine the show. The focus now is on ensuring its continued success and building a foundation for many more seasons.

Tracker airs on CBS every Sunday and is available to stream on Paramount+.

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2026-04-24 18:41