In a surprising twist in the television landscape, Justin Hartley’s series Tracker has officially lost its crown as the most-watched show on network TV. After a stellar debut in 2024, the survivalist 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶 has been outpaced by Taylor Sheridan’s latest hit, Marshals, starring Luke Grimes.
Tracker, based on the novel “The Never Game,” introduced audiences to Colter Shaw, a skilled tracker who specializes in locating missing persons, often working solo with a remote support team. The show premiered as CBS’s lead-in to Super Bowl LVIII, attracting an impressive 18 million viewers. While it maintained strong ratings for much of the 2025-2026 TV cycle, recent Nielsen data reveals a shift in viewership dynamics.
As of 2026, Tracker has recorded 16.4 million viewers across various platforms, placing it at number seven in overall ratings. In contrast, Marshals has surged ahead with 20.7 million viewers, securing the third spot, just behind Netflix’s Stranger Things and His & Hers. This is particularly notable given that Marshals debuted later in the season, launching in March with a concise 13-episode run that concluded in late May.
The success of Marshals can likely be attributed to its association with the Yellowstone franchise and the creative influence of Taylor Sheridan. During their Sunday night airings, both Tracker and Marshals were in close competition, but the latter’s strong performance has clearly made a significant impact.
Despite Tracker’s impressive numbers, the show has experienced a slight decline in viewership. Fans are hopeful that upcoming changes in season four will breathe new life into the series and keep it engaging.
Ultimately, CBS stands to benefit from both shows, as they are set to continue their Sunday night lineup in the fall of 2026. With Tracker and Marshals both vying for audience attention, the rivalry is sure to heat up. How will this competition shape the future of these two popular series?
