Why was Abbott Elementary season 4's ratings suffering? (And how did ABC fix it?)

Abbott Elementary season 4 has seen a dip in ratings compared to its earlier seasons. The show, which initially gained popularity for its engaging characters and humorous take on school life, struggled with viewership this season. Early episodes of season 4 aired every Wednesday at 9:30 pm, a time slot considered too late for a sitcom, leading to a dip in ratings.

Ratings dropped to a season-low of 1.89 million viewers for Abbott Elementary season 4 episode 4, Costume Contest, compared to season 3's lowest of 2.24 million, as per Screen Rant. However, episode 9, Volunteers, turned things around, bringing in 3.76 million viewers thanks to a crossover with It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

ABC responded to the slump by moving the show to an earlier 8:30 pm slot for the second half of the season. This decision aims to make the family-friendly sitcom more accessible to its target audience, a move expected to improve viewership further.

Abbott Elementary is a mockumentary-style comedy that follows the lives of teachers at a struggling public school in Philadelphia. It is currently in season 4, with nine episodes aired so far. The show features a talented cast, including Quinta Brunson as Janine Teagues, Tyler James Williams as Gregory Eddie, Janelle James as Ava Coleman, and Lisa Ann Walter as Melissa Schemmenti.

The next episode, titled Testing, will air on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 8:30 pm ET on ABC and will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day.

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ABC responded to Abbott Elementary season 4 low ratings by moving the show to an earlier slot

Abbott Elementary season 4 faced a significant drop in ratings during its initial run, becoming the least-watched scripted ABC show of the season with a total viewership of 3.3 million. This was especially concerning when compared to long-running shows like Grey's Anatomy, which maintained stronger ratings in its 21st season.

Newer shows like High Potential and Doctor Odyssey also outperformed Abbott Elementary season 4, likely benefiting from their novelty. Even celebrity cameos in Abbott Elementary failed to bring in new viewers.

The decline was largely attributed to ABC's decision to move the show to a 9:30 pm time slot for the first half of season 4. This late schedule alienated a chunk of the family-friendly audience, as sitcoms typically perform better in earlier prime-time slots.

Ratings dropped below 2 million for the first time in the show's history, with episodes like Class Pet and Costume Contest garnering only 1.91 million and 1.89 million viewers, respectively, as per Screen Rant. Critics continued to praise the show, especially for its evolving storylines, such as Janine and Gregory's relationship and Ava's growth as a principal. However, the later time slot hindered its ability to reach a wider audience.

To address the issue, ABC moved Abbott Elementary season 4 to a more suitable 8:30 pm slot for the second half of the season. This adjustment followed a significant boost from the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover in episode 9, Volunteers, which brought in 3.76 million viewers.

With less competition and a stronger lead-in from Shifting Gears starring Tim Allen, the show now has a better chance of regaining its audience while maintaining its critical acclaim. The next episode, Testing, will air on January 15, 2025, at 8:30 pm, further solidifying ABC's effort to restore the show's viewership.

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