With its return to ABC approaching, new information highlights just how valuable The Rookie is to the network. When the show comes back on January 6th, the season premiere will be especially exciting, featuring scenes filmed on location in Prague. This marks the first time the procedural drama has filmed internationally, adding a unique element to the new season.
It’s unusual for a network TV show to last this long, but The Rookie, created by Alexi Hawley, is proving to be a success story. Even as it nears its tenth season, the police drama is attracting more viewers, while many similar shows are seeing declines. The show’s numbers are particularly strong when looking at one specific group of viewers.
According to Variety, the most popular scripted shows on network television in 2025 were High Potential on ABC and Tracker on CBS, which were very close in viewership. However, a surprising discovery was that season 7 of The Rookie was the most-watched show among Gen Z viewers, particularly teenagers aged 12-17.
Across all platforms – including both streaming and traditional TV – season seven of The Rookie averaged over 10 million viewers per episode. Other broadcast TV shows also resonated with similar audiences, such as High Potential and Abbott Elementary, along with CBS’s Ghosts and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
A police drama might not immediately seem like a good fit for teen viewers, but this show has several appealing qualities. The Rookie has maintained a steady cast over the years, including Nathan Fillion, Shawn Ashmore, Lisseth Chavez, Mekia Cox, Jenna Dewan, Alyssa Diaz, Richard T. Jones, Melissa O’Neil, Eric Winter, and, new to season 7, Deric Augustine as Miles Penn.
One reason The Rookie does well on Hulu, adding about five million viewers, is that moments from the show often become popular on social media. A big part of this is the show’s beloved couple, nicknamed ‘Chenford,’ whose relationship keeps fans engaged and generates a lot of online conversation.
Subscribe for TV insights: The Rookie and beyond
Subscribe for TV insights: The Rookie and beyond
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept Valnet’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.
But another way to look at The Rookie is as a show where viewers enjoy spending time with the characters. It’s similar to shows like Friends or New Girl, but with a police procedural element. People tune in because they connect with the characters and their relationships, which is a classic TV formula. This suggests the upcoming spinoff, The Rookie: North, has a good chance of success.
The Rookie season 8 premieres Tuesday, January 6, 2026, on ABC at 10 PM ET.
Read More
- Avengers: Doomsday Trailer Leak Has Made Its Way Online
- bbno$ speaks out after ‘retirement’ from music over internet negativity
- ‘M3GAN’ Spin-off ‘SOULM8TE’ Dropped From Release Calendar
- Brent Oil Forecast
- Code Vein II PC system requirements revealed
- Spider-Man 4 Trailer Leaks Online, Sony Takes Action
- Beyond Prediction: Bayesian Methods for Smarter Financial Risk Management
- Super Animal Royale: All Mole Transportation Network Locations Guide
- ‘Welcome To Derry’ Star Confirms If Marge’s Son, Richie, Is Named After Her Crush
- Anthropic’s AI vending machine turns communist and gives everything for free
2025-12-20 22:08