ABC Slots 'High Potential' After Super Bowl LXI in 2027

Key points

• ABC has scheduled a new episode of 'High Potential' to air directly after Super Bowl LXI on Sunday, February 14, 2027.
• The episode will be the first of a planned two-part arc, with the second part airing in the show's regular Tuesday time slot the following week.
• The broadcast will stream simultaneously on Disney+, marking the first time the series appears on the platform outside of its standard Hulu bundle.
• 'High Potential' finished the 2025-2026 season as the No. 1 show among adults 18-49 with a 3.35 rating and averaged 16.01 million viewers across platforms.
• The announcement was made via a promo spot featuring star Kaitlin Olson during a Monday Night Football telecast on October 12, 2026.
• Season 3 is expected to launch in January 2027, with the Super Bowl episode serving as a mid-season highlight rather than the season premiere.

Background

ABC has not broadcast the Super Bowl since 2006, when 'Grey's Anatomy' drew 38.1 million viewers in a similar post-game slot. In 2026, Disney+ expanded its live sports portfolio by securing streaming rights for Super Bowl LXI in the US and over 55 international markets. The network also recently announced that Hulu will premiere the football drama 'The Land' on February 15, 2027, just hours after the game, indicating a broader Disney strategy to leverage the event for multiple new and existing titles.

How outlets are covering it

All four outlets (Deadline, The Hollywood Reporter, TVLine, and Variety) confirm the core facts regarding the scheduling and the two-part structure. Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter emphasize the historical parallel to 'Grey's Anatomy' in 2006 and the show's strong ratings performance. TVLine highlights the promotional aspect, noting the first official look at Season 3 via the Monday Night Football spot. Variety provides broader context on ABC's Super Bowl history, including past lead-outs like 'The Practice' and 'The Wonder Years,' and notes that Hulu is also launching a new football drama, 'The Land,' the day after the Super Bowl.

Why it matters

The post-Super Bowl slot is the most coveted time in television, offering a massive lead-in audience. By placing its top-rated drama in this slot, ABC aims to maximize viewership and advertising revenue for 'High Potential' while reinforcing its return to the Super Bowl broadcast after a 20-year absence. The simultaneous Disney+ stream expands the show's reach and integrates it into Disney's broader sports and entertainment ecosystem.

What to watch

ABC has not yet announced a specific premiere date for Season 3, though it is expected to launch in January 2027. The second part of the Super Bowl episode arc will air in the show's regular Tuesday time slot the week after February 14. Disney+ will continue to stream the Super Bowl and two Monday Night Football games this season, including a Dallas Cowboys-Philadelphia Eagles matchup on October 26.