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ABC’s new show Abbott Elementary is not only ratings gold, but it may change what we see on network TV forever.
According to Deadline, in the show’s December debut, “it yielded a 0.6 rating in the 18-49 demo and 2.79 million viewers, per fast affiliates.” The report goes on to say, “however, after 35 days of viewing across ABC’s linear and digital platforms, the series premiere shot up 300% in the demo for a 2.4 rating and 7.1 million total viewers.”
ABC started tracking MP35 performance in September 2017. According to the network, Abbott Elementary’s opening marked the largest percentage growth from L+SD to MP35 for any new comedy premiere. Essentially, the show has quadrupled its ratings since debuting in December 2021.
Abbott Elementary came in with a BANG!
ABC describes the series: In this workplace comedy, a group of dedicated, passionate teachers—and a slightly tone-deaf principal—are brought together in a Philadelphia public school where, despite the odds stacked against them, they are determined to help their students succeed in life.
Writer, creator, and star Quinta Brunson named the early hit after her middle-school teacher Ms. Abbott.
The primetime disruptor series, Abbott Elementary has been a consistent earner for ABC, topping its own ratings and maintaining its demo rating every week.
Since its premiere, Abbott Elementary has rated higher than FBI: International on CBS and Our Kind of People on Fox according to Deadline.
ABC
A Mockumentary like no other
Following a long line of Black actors and actresses who paved the way for future generations, Brunson looks to give back through accurate representation. “What helps make a show successful is when you have people you can fall in love with, actors people have never seen before,” says Brunson.
Yet the success of the show shouldn’t come as a surprise. Brunson knows what a comedy hit looks like after contributing to landmark shows like Big Mouth, Crank Yankers, and A Black Lady Sketch Show.
When speaking on her experience on A Black Lady Sketch Show, “I didn’t realize how rare it would be to be on a show with that many Black women,” says Brunson to Vulture. “It did something to my brain where I was like, I’ll never not work without a good amount of Black people on set again.”
The next episode, Art Teacher, will air on ABC, February 8th at 9 p.m. EST.
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