Shifting Gears cast that also includes Seann William Scott, Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Maxwell Simkins, and Barrett Margolis. The premiere episode garnered 17 million cross-platform viewers in seven days, breaking records.

In its update on the status of ABC shows that have yet to be renewed, Deadline reports that Shifting Gears' strong start may ultimately contribute to its undoing. After a robust premiere, ratings have consistently dropped. Coupled with an expensive cast, with the likes of Allen, Dennings, and Scott, Shifting Gears season 2 is not guaranteed to happen, and the show could be cancelled. It must be noted that this is mostly speculation on Deadline's part, but the outlet is taking common industry practices into question.

What The Latest Report Means For Shifting Gears Season 2

Factors Are Working Against It

After a record-setting premiere in January, which became ABC's most-streamed debut ever, the 20th Television production has experienced a more downward trajectory. The first episode nabbed 6.1 million live and same-day viewers. That number was slashed by the finale, which had 3.8 million viewers. This does not take into multi-platform viewing, though it does point to an overall slide in audience numbers. This contrasts with the ratings for High Potential, another ABC show, which had significant viewership increases as it went along and was renewed earlier this year.

ABC has nine scripted shows, made up of three sitcoms and six dramas, compared to 18 shows for CBS and 15 for NBC.

Shifting Gears season 2 may also be impacted by its high-profile cast, making it pricey for the network. However, the sitcom's fate is not set in stone. ABC has no comedy pilots coming up and only one other sitcom, the hit Abbott Elementary. Considering that The Conners is ending in a matter of weeks, with a shortened final season, executives may be incentivized to keep Shifting Gears because ABC has few other shows, particularly when it comes to comedies.

Another thing that could benefit Shifting Gears is that the sitcom's numbers improve when delayed viewing is factored in. Those numbers, too, represent a decline when compared to the show's premiere. However, as seen in the table above, with data from Programming Insider, there is still an audience for the Allen-Dennings comedy that is not watching live or on the same day.

What Does The Rest Of ABC's Schedule Look Like?

The Big Hits Are All Likely Returning

ABC has already renewed Abbott Elementary for season 5, not wanting to let its acclaimed mockumentary comedy continue its fourth installment under a cloud of uncertainty. Outside of that and High Potential, which ended its 13-episode season in February, ABC has largely kept away from early renewal announcements. This is in contrast to CBS, which has already confirmed renewals and cancellations for many of its dramas and comedies. Overall, the latest report has positive news for most of ABC's established series.

9-1-1, The Rookie, and Grey's Anatomy are all expected to be renewed for additional seasons. In a similar case to Shifting Gears, both The Rookie and Grey's benefit greatly when streaming and delayed viewership is taken into . 9-1-1, which will soon add the spinoff 9-1-1: Nashville, is in a strong position as well. With a new show on the way, it's reported that ABC is invested in keeping the first-responder franchise going for another year. Whether or not 9-1-1 carries on after season 9, though, will likely depend on a number of factors.

Will Trent season 4 is also likely to happen, as the crime drama is described as a solid performer that pairs well with High Potential on the schedule. Unlike CBS, which has several spinoffs and franchise expansions in various stages of development, ABC only has the 9-1-1 spinoff for the 2025-2026 broadcast television season. That may change in the coming weeks and months, but for now, it's to the benefit of Shifting Gears and Doctor Odyssey as both hang in limbo.

Our Take On Shifting Gears' Renewal Chances

It Will Likely Be Renewed

ABC has a smaller schedule to program compared to other networks. This may benefit the family sitcom and Doctor Odyssey, another show that is on the bubble for similar reasons. However, if the season 2 ratings don't improve or stay in place, it might not go any further. In any case, we will likely know for sure soon since renewals are expected to be announced in the coming weeks to clarify whether Shifting Gears' lingering questions will be answered. That includes a new romance for Matt, which will renew tensions with Riley.

Source: Deadline