ABC will air a special episode of its hit drama “High Potential” after Super Bowl LXI on Feb. 14, 2027, a prime lead-out slot for the network’s top-rated series. Star Kaitlin Olson announced the booking in a short promo that ran during “Monday Night Football” on Oct. 12. The game will air on ABC, ESPN and Disney+, which puts “High Potential” on Disney+ for the first time outside the Disney bundle. The network has not revealed an exact start time, though kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. ET.
Deadline reports that the episode will open a two-part story. Part 1 would end on a cliffhanger resolved in the show’s regular Tuesday slot, a detail that comes from the outlet’s own reporting; ABC’s announcement confirmed only the special episode. The plan echoes the network’s last Super Bowl. When ABC carried the game in February 2006, “Grey’s Anatomy” followed with the first half of a bomb-themed two-parter that drew 38.1 million viewers. ABC holds the broadcast rights again for the first time since then and, with other Disney outlets, is running a year-long promotional campaign.
The choice reflects the show’s strength. “High Potential” finished the 2025-26 broadcast season as the No. 1 show among adults 18 to 49, and third in total viewers with more than 16 million over 35 days across platforms. Networks typically save the post-game slot for a buzzy new series or a big episode of an established hit, and ABC chose the latter.
The special does not mark a season premiere. Season 3 is expected back earlier, likely in January. ABC has not announced a premiere date. The show moved to midseason after showrunner Todd Harthan left to pursue a new project and the network needed time to find a replacement. Olson leads a cast that includes Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Amirah J, Matthew Lamb and Judy Reyes.
