Tracker Season 3 Roars Back, Boosts CBS's Premiere Week Ratings!

Get ready, fans! Justin Hartley's hit series Tracker just kicked off its third season with a bang, bringing in huge viewership and solidifying CBS's dominance during its much-anticipated "Premiere Week." Oh, and did we mention Jensen Ackles made a pretty epic entrance?

TL;DR: The Latest on Tracker Season 3 and CBS's Big Win

• Tracker Season 3 premiered on October 19, 2025, drawing in a massive 12.97 million viewers.
• Jensen Ackles made his highly anticipated debut as Russell Shaw, Colter's older brother, diving straight into the action and family drama.
• CBS declared its "Premiere Week" (starting October 12, 2025) a major success, leading all networks in total multiplatform entertainment viewership thanks to strong performances from Tracker and other returning/new series.

Colter Shaw Returns with a Vengeance, and a Brotherly Assist!

If you've been eagerly awaiting the return of Justin Hartley as the resourceful Colter Shaw, you're absolutely not alone! Tracker Season 3 officially stormed back onto our screens on October 19, and it did so with some seriously impressive numbers. According to Nielsen's live+7-day multiplatform data, the premiere episode pulled in a whopping 12.97 million viewers. That's not just good; it's a fantastic 17% jump from the year-ago Season 2 premiere! Talk about a loyal fanbase showing up for their favorite P.I.

But the numbers aren't the only thing worth cheering about from this season's opener. We finally got to see a much-anticipated new face join the Shaw family dynamic: none other than Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw, Colter's big brother. And what an introduction it was! Picture this: Colter, feeling pretty down in the dumps and getting into a bar fight, only to have his big brother literally jump in to join the brawl. It was messy, it was chaotic, and it perfectly set the stage for their complicated, yet undeniably strong, sibling relationship.

Jensen Ackles' Russell Shaw: An Unforgettable Entrance into the Tracker Universe

Fans have been buzzing about Jensen Ackles joining the cast for ages, and his debut as Russell Shaw did not disappoint. From the moment he throws a punch in that bar fight, you know he means business, even if he takes one to the mouth first before Colter even realizes who's got his back! The chemistry between Ackles and Hartley (who are real-life friends, by the way) is immediately palpable, making their on-screen brotherly bond feel incredibly authentic and lived-in. It's clear Russell cares deeply about Colter, even if his methods of showing it are, shall we say, a little rough around the edges and involve more punching than talking at first.

Russell's arrival isn't just for kicks; it's tied directly into the deepening mystery surrounding their father's death. Colter's been spiraling ever since he found out there's more to the story than his mother initially let on, particularly about a man named Otto who was involved in his father's fatal fall. Reenie, ever the loyal friend (and former flame), saw Colter's withdrawal and sent Russell to check on him, effectively pulling Colter out of his isolated Airstream existence and back into the land of the living, and the fighting!

"Russell wants Colter to follow his example and just repress all the bad childhood memories... Colter says he's not built that way, and Russell grudgingly accepts that, a moment that I loved."

— Lynn, Movie TV Tech Geeks News

Their first heart-to-heart was long overdue and full of raw emotion. Colter finally apologizes for blaming Russell for their father's death, and we see Russell's own pain and his coping mechanism: repression. He suggests Colter do the same, to simply move on and forget, but Colter, being Colter, isn't "built that way" to easily compartmentalize his feelings. This moment of acceptance from Russell, even if grudging, highlights the complex love and understanding between them. Ackles, with his nuanced facial expressions and tone, truly brings out the layers of Russell's repressed emotions, showcasing that he feels things far more deeply than he lets on, despite his joking nature and insistence on getting "on with it."

Diving Deeper into the Dark Secrets of the Shaw Family Past

The premiere episode wasn't just about big numbers and exciting new faces; it also plunged us deeper into the dark, unsettling secrets of the Shaw family. We still don't have all the answers about their father's intense paranoia or why their mother desperately wanted to leave him, taking the kids with her. Russell, who was older than Colter at the time, certainly saw more and clearly tried to be a protector, but admits he was "just a kid" too, and not in control of the terrifying, deteriorating situation unfolding around them. Both brothers, along with their sister Dory (who was mentioned), were victims of whatever their father was involved in. The show is expertly spooling out this information little by little, keeping us on the edge of our seats and itching for more clues.

Russell, a bit of a charming "fuckup" as one reviewer affectionately described him, quickly finds purpose and distraction in "the work" – much like a certain Winchester brother might. He's just been fired from his job, so sticking around to help Colter with his next case is a win-win, offering both a distraction from his own troubles and a way to meaningfully reconnect with his estranged brother. This next case, by the way, is incredibly dark and twisted, proving to be far more than a simple missing persons job. It involves desperate people murdering others out of sheer terror, asking if "you're them" and trying to follow "the process" to save their own loved ones from an unseen threat. The sense of urgency and time running out was palpable throughout the episode, with unexpected curveballs that kept even seasoned viewers guessing.

The episode ended on an especially disturbing, tragic, and ultimately chilling note, making "the process" terrifyingly personal for both Russell and Colter. Luckily for us, this intense storyline is a two-parter, so we won't have to wait too long to see how the Shaw brothers navigate this terrifying new threat and what further connections it might have to their family's mysterious past. It's clear that their journey this season will be as much about finding themselves and their family's truth as it is about finding other people.

CBS's "Premiere Week" Strategy Pays Off Big for Fall Viewership

While Tracker's electrifying return was a huge highlight for the network, it was part of a broader, well-executed strategy that saw CBS absolutely crush the competition during its self-proclaimed "CBS Premiere Week," which kicked off on October 12. The network intentionally held back the majority of its scripted series until mid-October, and that strategic patience clearly paid off in spades. CBS now proudly leads the fall season in live+7 ratings for entertainment programming, averaging a stellar 6.8 million viewers in total multiplatform numbers. That's a strong, clear lead over its broadcast rivals ABC (6.5 million), NBC (5.7 million), and Fox (3.1 million).

Other Top Performing Shows Contributing to CBS's Fall Lineup Success:

Beyond the undeniable draw of Tracker, several other new and returning shows contributed significantly to CBS's winning streak:

• Matlock: This revived series is already a hit, averaging 10.7 million viewers after just two episodes.
• 60 Minutes: The perennial news program continues to draw eyeballs, bringing in 8.9 million viewers after four episodes.
• Boston Blue: This exciting new Blue Bloods spinoff debuted strong on October 17 with 8.64 million viewers, impressively up 6% over last year's Blue Bloods season average.
• NCIS (Season 23 Premiere): Still a powerhouse, the latest season premiere averaged 8.6 million viewers, proving its enduring popularity.
• Ghosts (Season 5 Premiere): This beloved comedy is still hauntingly good, pulling in 8.27 million viewers for its latest season opener.
• Elsbeth (Season 3, first two episodes): The crafty detective series averaged a solid 8.26 million viewers across its initial two episodes.
• Sheriff Country: Another promising new spinoff (this time from Fire Country) premiered October 17 with 7.73 million viewers, a significant 35% jump from the previous timeslot holder, S.W.A.T.'s last season average.
• Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage (Season 2 Premiere): This comedy continuation averaged a respectable 7.85 million viewers.
• FBI (Season 8 Premiere): The long-running crime drama held strong with 7.58 million viewers for its eighth season opener.
• DMV: A brand-new comedy that launched on October 13 with 6.6 million viewers, a massive 46% increase from last year's timeslot holder, Poppa's House's season average. This shows a real appetite for fresh comedy on the network.

These impressive numbers paint a clear picture: CBS knows what its audience wants, and it's consistently delivering. The strategic timing of "Premiere Week," coupled with a robust slate of returning fan favorites and promising newcomers, has cemented its position as a top contender, if not the leader, in the competitive world of fall broadcast television. It’s exciting to see a network successfully innovate and engage viewers with such a diverse and popular lineup!

What's Next for the Shaw Brothers and the Thriving CBS Network?

The Season 3 premiere of Tracker not only gave us a thrilling, dark case and a deeper, more emotional look into Colter's past but also introduced a fan-favorite actor into a pivotal, game-changing role. Jensen Ackles' Russell Shaw is set to be a key player, not just as a supportive (if a bit chaotic) brother, but as a critical part of helping Colter (and us!) unravel the ever-growing mysteries surrounding their father. His contrasting personality to Colter – Russell's tendency to repress difficult emotions versus Colter's unwavering need to confront the truth – promises to add fascinating layers to both their investigations and their personal journey of healing and discovery.

The incredibly successful launch of Tracker Season 3 and the impressive, across-the-board performance of other CBS shows like the revived Matlock, the exciting new spinoffs like Boston Blue and Sheriff Country, and veteran hits like NCIS and 60 Minutes mean that the network is riding high. This undeniably strong start to the 2025-2026 broadcast season bodes incredibly well for the future of these individual series and for CBS's overall standing in the competitive world of television. They've clearly found a winning formula.

We're certainly looking forward to seeing how the intense two-part premiere of Tracker concludes and what other twists and turns the Shaw brothers will face this season. Plus, with the continued, robust success of its diverse lineup, CBS seems set for a very strong year ahead, delivering exactly what viewers are tuning in for. It's a great time to be a fan of network television, with so much quality drama and comedy to choose from!

Frequently Asked Questions About Tracker Season 3 and CBS Premiere Week

When did Tracker Season 3 officially premiere? Tracker Season 3 premiered on Friday, October 19, 2025. Who is Jensen Ackles playing in Tracker Season 3? Jensen Ackles plays Russell Shaw, Colter Shaw's older brother. He made his debut in the Season 3 premiere. How many viewers tuned in for the Tracker Season 3 premiere? The Tracker Season 3 premiere garnered a massive 12.97 million viewers, based on Nielsen's live+7-day multiplatform data, marking a significant 17% increase from the previous season's premiere. What other shows contributed to CBS's "Premiere Week" success? Beyond Tracker, other strong performers included the new Matlock, the veteran 60 Minutes, new spinoffs like Boston Blue and Sheriff Country, and returning hits such as NCIS, Ghosts, Elsbeth, Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, and FBI.

Sources:

• Michael Schneider, Variety: ‘Tracker’ Season 3 Return Helps CBS Win Its ‘Premiere Week’ In Multiplatform Viewership Ratings (EXCLUSIVE)
• Lynn, Movie TV Tech Geeks News: Tracker Kicks Off Season 3 With Jensen Ackles Returning as Russell!