As a TV show goes on longer, there are concerns that it will be canceled. The Rookie has never been one of the strongest shows in the linear ratings, and each season, we worry that it will be the last. Well, ABC has confirmed that there are no intensions of bringing this show to an end.
While usually TV shows lose their viewership as seasons go on, The Rookie is finding newer viewers each and every season. This is the beauty of streaming, as viewers can turn to Hulu for older episodes of The Rookie, catching up in time for the new season.
The Rookie has a consistent viewership
While the series doesn’t have the strongest linear viewership, it does have a consistent one, and that’s what really counts. The same fans tune in each and every week, and then there’s the consistent base on Hulu. It’s clear that there is less of a risk to the show as the seasons continue, as people will come back.
Deadline makes it clear that there are no intentions of ending The Rookie with season 8, which will be the upcoming season. Of course, things could change, so it’s important to keep watching live as much as possible.
Legacy shows like The Rookie are finding new viewers
On top of that, we have the benefit of streaming bringing in new viewers. The series is finding a new generation of viewers. After all, there are now seven years of episodes on Hulu, and that means newer audiences are stepping in. As they realize the show is still on the air, they’re likely to binge-watch what they have available and then tune in when the new seasons premiere.
“Those may be quote-unquote ‘older shows’ in terms of how many seasons, but what we’re seeing is new generations of fans coming in and discovering these shows.”
It’s why that even though the linear ratings seem bad for shows like The Rookie and Grey’s Anatomy, there is no question that they’ll keep on going. There is an audience, and Disney as a whole is looking at more than just those linear Nielsen ratings.
“So this we don’t really consider them older shows. They’re young and spry and vibrant and continue to deliver performance and a lot of joy and entertainment to those viewers.”
This is a great thing for viewers as well. If Disney is behind a series and we know it’s not going to come to an end soon, we’re more likely to give it a chance. Yes, ABC has canceled some one-season shows that deserved better, but it’s finding a better scheduling system. High Potential still managed to become the No. 1 show for the 18-49 bracket across multiple platforms for the season, so people do have faith if the show sounds interesting enough.
The Rookie is available to stream on Hulu and will return in 2026 on ABC.
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