ABC Bets on 'High Potential' for Historic Post-Super Bowl Slot

Key points

• ABC will air an episode of 'High Potential' directly after Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027.
• The episode will also stream on Disney+, marking the first time the show appears on that platform outside its usual Hulu bundle.
• The announcement was made via a promo spot during 'Monday Night Football' on October 12, 2026.
• This is ABC's first Super Bowl broadcast since 2006, when 'Grey's Anatomy' aired in the same slot.
• The post-Super Bowl episode is not the Season 3 premiere; the series is expected to launch its third season earlier in 2027.
• Deadline reports the post-Super Bowl episode may be the first part of a two-part story arc, with the second part airing the following Tuesday.

Background

ABC has not aired the Super Bowl since 2006, when 'Grey's Anatomy' achieved significant lead-out success. In 2024, CBS aired 'Tracker' after the game, drawing 18.44 million viewers, while NBC opted for Winter Olympics coverage in 2022 and 2026. 'High Potential,' created by Drew Goddard and based on the French series 'Haut Potentiel Intellectuel,' has been a ratings juggernaut since its first season. The show stars Kaitlin Olson as Morgan, a single mother with exceptional problem-solving skills who partners with an LAPD detective. The 2025-2026 season concluded in April, and the series is not on the fall schedule this year, returning for Season 3 in early 2027.

How outlets are covering it

Variety and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize the strategic value of the slot for promoting 'High Potential' and leveraging its strong ratings performance. Deadline highlights the potential for a two-part episode structure, comparing it to the 'Grey's Anatomy' lead-out in 2006, which drew 38.1 million viewers. TVLine notes that the promo aired during 'Monday Night Football' and describes the character's reaction to the news as 'Morgan-coded.' All outlets agree on the date and the simultaneous Disney+ stream, but Deadline is the only source to explicitly mention the possibility of a cliffhanger leading into a Tuesday episode. The Hollywood Reporter notes that the Super Bowl episode will not be the Season 3 premiere, a detail also confirmed by Deadline.

Why it matters

The post-Super Bowl slot is the most coveted time slot in television, with upwards of 100 million viewers tuning in to the game. By placing 'High Potential' in this slot, ABC aims to capitalize on its strong ratings performance and the massive audience to boost viewership for its flagship drama. The simultaneous stream on Disney+ expands the show's reach beyond its usual Hulu bundle, potentially increasing its visibility and ad revenue. This move also signals ABC's intent to make a strong impression with its first Super Bowl broadcast in two decades, competing with other Disney properties like 'The Land' on Hulu.

What to watch

ABC has not announced a specific premiere date for Season 3 of 'High Potential,' but it is expected to launch in early 2027, likely in January. The post-Super Bowl episode may be followed by a second part in the show's regular time slot the following Tuesday, according to Deadline. Hulu is set to launch 'The Land' on Super Bowl Sunday, creating a dual Disney strategy for the event. The Super Bowl LXI will air on ABC, ESPN, and Disney+ on February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.