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ABC Secures Post-Super Bowl Slot for 'High Potential' Ahead of Super Bowl LXI

10:04 PM ETConfirmed

Entertainment Desk

In Short: ABC has secured a post-Super Bowl slot for the crime comedy drama 'High Potential,' following the network's Super Bowl broadcast rights win.

ABC has announced that the crime comedy drama 'High Potential' will air immediately after Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027, marking a significant move for the network. The show, which stars Kaitlin Olson as Morgan, a single mother with an exceptional mind, will capitalize on the massive viewership that follows the Super Bowl.

The series, which has been a ratings success since its debut, will air on ABC and Disney+, with its streaming home being Hulu, a fellow Disney platform. The show's streaming strategy includes both next-day episodes and previous seasons, ensuring viewers have multiple ways to catch up on the series.

According to ABC, 'High Potential' follows a single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective. The show has already garnered significant attention, with its second season averaging 16 million cross-platform viewers, ranking third among all network shows for the 2025-2026 season.

The post-Super Bowl slot is a highly coveted time slot in American television, typically reserved for the network's best-rated or most anticipated shows. ABC's decision to place 'High Potential' in this slot underscores the show's popularity and potential for continued success. Previous notable post-Super Bowl shows include 'Grey's Anatomy' in 2006 and 'The Practice' in 2000, both of which drew massive audiences.

The Super Bowl LXI broadcast will be simulcast on ESPN and Disney+, with alternate presentations on ESPN2, ESPNU, and NFL Network. ABC's Super Bowl broadcast rights are a significant win for the network, as it marks the first time since 2006 that ABC has held the rights. The network has been mounting a year-long promotional campaign to build anticipation for the event.

In the past, ABC has used the post-Super Bowl slot to launch successful series such as 'The Wonder Years' in 1988 and 'Extreme' in 1995. More recently, CBS used the slot to premiere 'Tracker' in 2024, while Fox aired 'The Floor' in 2025. These shows have demonstrated the potential for significant viewership and success when placed in this coveted time slot.

The decision to air 'High Potential' after the Super Bowl is a strategic move by ABC and Disney+ to leverage the massive viewership that follows the game. The network is betting on the show's continued success and its ability to attract and retain viewers after the Super Bowl.

Fans of 'High Potential' are eagerly anticipating the show's return, with many expressing excitement for the upcoming season. The show's cast, including Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Amirah J, Matthew Lamb, and Judy Reyes, has garnered a dedicated following, contributing to the show's popularity.

What this adds

Background

What's confirmed

• High Potential stars Olson as Morgan, Daniel Sunjata as Karadec, Javicia Leslie as Daphne, Deniz Akdeniz as Lev “Oz” Ozdil, Amirah J as Ava, Matthew Lamb as Elliot, and Judy Reyes as Selena.
• ABC has the Super Bowl broadcast rights for the first time since 2006 and, along with other Disney outlets, in mounting a year-long promotional campaign for the event.
• “High Potential” finished the 2025-2026 broadcast season as the No.

What's still developing

• ABC ‘s last time carrying the Super Bowl in February 2006 was a memorable one, with then-hot sophomore drama Grey’s Anatomy delivering one of the most talked about lead-out programs in the history of the Big Game, Part 1 of a bomb-themed two-episode arc that drew 38.1 million viewers.
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• 39 LP On Location - Disney Believe Reveal × Fun & Games Sorcerer's Streak Villain's Challenge Disney Hangman Disney Quizzes Disney Park Maps Through the Years "High Potential" Secures Post Super Bowl Timeslot on ABC and Disney+ Catch the Season 3 premiere on February 14th.
• The big game will take place on Valentine’s Day 2027 “High Potential” is getting a big boost thanks to the NFL.
• While ABC and Disney+ are betting on “High Potential,” The Walt Disney Company’s other major streamer will be going in another direction.
• “Now we gotta see Morgan and Karadec jamming out to some music in the car!” one fan commented on the video.
• Thankfully, with each passing week, fans get closer and closer to High Potential ‘s return, which is set to unfold in the midseason early next year.
• The first promo for the special "High Potential" episode, which you can watch below, aired during "Monday Night Football" on October 12.
• In 1995, the network used the slot to launch the pilot episode of a long-forgotten series titled “Extreme.” (The James Brolin adventure drama was canceled after seven episodes.) It ran the comedy pilot “Davis Rules” in 1991; and most successfully, launched the series “The Wonder Years” behind Super Bowl XXII in 1988.
• Before that, in 2003, it ran an episode of “Alias” after Super Bowl XXXVII.

Sources

• Deadlinelink
• Givememyremotelink
• LaughingPlace.comlink
• The Hollywood Reporterlink
• Thewraplink
• Tvinsiderlink
• Tvlinelink
• Varietylink
• WarpBeat — background on High Potential to Air Post-Super Bowl LXI on ABC link
• Wikipedia — background on High Potential link
• Wikipedia — background on Grey link
• TV Promos / YouTube — video link