How a sitcom about auto restoration became a record-breaking streaming success for ABC
In short: When Shifting Gears debuted on ABC in early 2025, it arrived with a familiar premise: a grumpy widower forced to reconnect with his estranged daughter. Yet, despite lukewarm critical reception, the show shattered internal network records, proving that multi-platform viewing habits are fundamentally reshaping how we measure television hit status today.
Created by Mike Scully and Julie Thacker Scully, the series centers on Matt, a man running an auto restoration shop who finds his life upended when his newly divorced daughter, Riley, moves in with his two grandchildren. While the show features a veteran comedic cast including Tim Allen and Kat Dennings, early critical response was tepid. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes recorded a 47% approval rating, with critics noting that the show struggled to find its comedic footing despite the star power of its leads.
The discrepancy between critical sentiment and commercial performance is stark. The series premiere on January 8, 2025, achieved a massive 17 million multi-platform viewers within its first week. This figure represented a 173% increase over its initial same-day linear broadcast audience of 6.2 million. By the time the second season premiered on October 1, 2025, the show had solidified its role as a streaming powerhouse. The Season 2 premiere reached 7.57 million viewers after one week of cross-platform tracking, outperforming other network staples like Abbott Elementary.
This success highlights a broader shift in television metrics. For Shifting Gears, streaming platforms like Hulu and Disney+ are not just secondary outlets; they are primary drivers of audience growth. Approximately 42% of the total audience for the second season premiere came from streaming, and the majority of the show's key 18–49 demographic rating was derived from digital platforms. This reliance on non-linear viewing has helped the series secure renewals through a third season, regardless of its initial mixed critical reviews.
The production itself is a collaborative effort filmed at Walt Disney Studios in Burbank. While the original creators departed after the pilot, showrunner Michelle Nader and a rotating cast of guest stars—including Jay Leno and various former sitcom actors—have helped maintain momentum. The series has even garnered industry recognition, receiving nominations at the 5th Astra TV Awards for its lead performances and cast ensemble.
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