NEWSJustin Hartley Credits Taylor Swift for Record-Breaking Success of CBS 'Tracker' Series
Justin Hartley credited Taylor Swift with helping boost ‘Tracker’s’ record-breaking premiere.
Aug. 13 2026, Published 10:17 a.m. ET
Justin Hartley, the lead actor in CBS's Tracker, recently revealed that he credits Taylor Swift for the show's immense success.
During an episode of Tommy DiDario's podcast, Hartley discussed how the Super Bowl LVIII contributed to Tracker's impressive viewership numbers.
Justin Hartley recalled how Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl appearance added anticipation around the show.
On May 5, Hartley explained the significance of the Super Bowl in relation to the show's premiere, noting, “You never know how that’s going to go because you’re going to get a huge number because it’s the NFL and it’s the Super Bowl.”
He highlighted Swift’s attendance at the game, stating, “If she shows up to this game … It’s over, we’re all set. We’re going to get 900 billion views.”
Hartley, who portrays Colter Shaw in Tracker, humorously recalled the situation as the game extended into overtime.
“Then the game went into overtime. And I was like, ‘No.’ Then it kept going and we premiered at like 11:30 PM but we did good,” he remarked.
Justin Hartley recalled how Taylor Swift’s Super Bowl appearance added anticipation around the show.
The series, based on Jeffery Deaver's novel The Never Game, follows the journey of survivalist Colter Shaw as he helps individuals and law enforcement solve various mysteries.
Hartley serves as both the lead actor and an executive producer, exhibiting a strong commitment to the show's development. He emphasized that the character's depth and storytelling are vital to its success.
Tracker premiered after the Super Bowl in February 2024 and quickly became the most-watched broadcast premiere in three years.
Hartley noted that the previous record was held by NCIS' final episode featuring Mark Harmon in September 2021. By December 2024, CBS reported that Tracker averaged 18.2 million viewers per episode across broadcast and Paramount+ measurements.
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The actor highlighted Colter Shaw’s depth and storytelling as key to the series’ success.
Hartley attributes the show's appeal to its storytelling. He stated, “I think there’s a huge appetite for this kind of show.”
He takes pride in the character of Colter Shaw, emphasizing that he represents a new standard of masculinity. “One of the things I really love about Colter and the way we’ve built him is that he doesn’t apologize for his masculinity,” he explained.
The character's emotional growth is another focal point for Hartley and executive producer Ken Olin. They aimed to create a procedural series that evolves over time. “We were hopeful people would like it. People ended up loving it,” Hartley shared.
The actor praised the show’s emotional growth and evolving approach to its characters.
Tracker airs on CBS Sundays at 9 p.m. ET. As the show continues to break records, Hartley’s performance and the unforeseen influence of Taylor Swift promise to keep audiences engaged.
