Abbott Elementaryseason 4’s ratings have skyrocketed, but ABC might be limiting the mockumentary’s success. Since its premiere in 2021,Abbott Elementary’s hilarious cast of characterswon the hearts of viewers worldwide. From its pilot episode onwards, the comedy immediately garnered a formidable following, andAbbotthas only earned more devoted viewers with time. Although the show is undoubtedly one of ABC’s biggest hits of the decade already, the network is failing to giveAbbott Elementarythe room it deserves to keep growing. The problem lies in one key issue: ABC is failing to recognize the powerAbbott Elementaryholds.
With the right promotion,Abbott Elementarycould continue its legacy of breaking boundaries and earning acclaim. It’s not just a mockumentary, not just a comedy, and not just an ensemble. The show is smart and self-referential, withAbbott Elementarymaking jabs at its mockumentary format. The characters are lovable, but there arearcs inAbbott Elementarymore important than romance. It perfectly toes the line between realistic conflict and fantastical plotlines that entertain and comfort audiences everywhere. The show would not only benefit from a different time slot;Abbott Elementaryhas earned an earlier prime time slotwith recently collected data.
Abbott Elementary Season 4 Finds Massive Success Post-Episode Broadcast
The Numbers Prove Live Viewing Doesn’t Tell The Whole Story
To get the full picture ofAbbott Elementary’s success, there needs to be a well-defined scope.Abbott Elementary’s ratings aren’t just based on live viewers, nor are they based solely on streams. Combining views on Hulu, Disney+, and ABC itself reveals the truly widespread reach of Quinta Brunson’s brainchild. TheAbbott Elementaryseason 4 premierealone reached record-high viewership across its first 35 days. According toVariety, there were 2.1 million live viewers compared to the compiled viewership, which reached 9 million–quadrupling the first-night viewershipin five weeks.
10 Most Heartwarming Moments In Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary’s most heartwarming moments prove that the workplace sitcom is good for more than just laughs thanks to its sweet characters.
These immensely impressive numbers prove that fans ofAbbottoften aren’t watching new episodes the night they air. That doesn’t mean, of course, that viewers are ambivalent about the show’s release. Millions of viewers were disappointed to learn thatAbbottwas taking a mini-hiatus for the second half of November, with many wondering how long they’d have to wait forAbbott Elementaryseason 4, episode 7.Abbottreaches beyond ABC viewers, with clips of scenes often going viral on social media and further drawing people in to binge-watch the seasons on Hulu. However, the ABC audience shouldn’t be overlooked.
Abbott Elementary’s Growing Ratings Highlights Why Its Timeslot Hinders Its Success
The Mockumentary Is On A Great Trajectory
While the compiled data of total viewership unequivocally showsAbbott Elementaryis a well-loved title, its ABC timeslot feels like it’s still trying to prove itself.Abbott Elementaryseason 4 currently airs from 9:30-10 p.m. ET, far later than one might expect for such a renowned program. With such a late release, it’s no wonder that the vast majority of viewers roll in once the show is available to stream at the audience’s availability. Though it’s still incredibly popular,the late time slot is limitingAbbott Elementary’s potential.
Episodes ofAbbott Elementarycan be streamed on Hulu and Disney+ while airing, but full seasons can be streamed on Max after airing concludes.
Take a show likeSt. Denis Medical. Thenew mockumentary competitor forAbbott Elementaryairs at 8 p.m. ET on NBC, significantly earlier than the ABC sensation. Though only in its first season, theSt. Denis Medicalseries premiere garnered 4 million night-of viewers– about double the amount recorded fromAbbott Elementary’s season 4 premiere (viaDeadline). With a show as established asAbbott, there’s no telling how drastically a simple time change could impact its live-airing audience. One thing is certain: If ABC wants to capitalize on the show’s current success,Abbott Elementaryneeds a better timeslot.
ABC Needs To Move Abbott Elementary Season 4’s Timeslot
Earlier Airing Could Make Viewership Multiply
Beyond the high numbers it would rake in,Abbott Elementarysimply deserves a better timeslot. By waiting until 10 p.m. to air new episodes, ABC is doing one ofthe best mockumentary seriesa grave disservice. Moving it earlier would make new episodes so much more accessible to its target audience and beyond during its live airing. Plus,ABC is clearly underestimating the strong replay value ofAbbott. The millions who log in to Hulu to watchAbbott Elementarythe day after would likely still rewatch if they could also catch new episodes live around 8 or 9 ET.
William Stanford Davis
Mr. Johnson
Aside from offering current fans the opportunity to catch episodes live at a reasonable time,moving the timeslot could attract hordes of newAbbottviewers.Millions of people turn on the TV after work to unwind, and whatever’s playing could turn into an instant favorite.Abbott Elementarydeserves a chance to attract someone’s attention and reel them into the magical world of Quinta Brunson’s comedy. To maximize its full potential and makeAbbott Elementaryboth a live viewing and streaming hit, ABC needs to reward its latest success with an earlier slot in its prime time schedule.
Abbott Elementarycontinues Wednesday, December 4, on ABC.
Abbott Elementary
Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary comedy series centered around a group of dedicated teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. The show highlights their efforts to overcome bureaucratic challenges and underfunding, while showcasing their commitment to making a positive impact on their students' lives.
