Colter Shaw is coming back. Honestly, if you're one of the millions who tuned into CBS to watch Justin Hartley trek through the wilderness looking for missing people, you've probably been asking one specific question: when does tracker start again? It isn't just a casual curiosity. The show became a juggernaut almost overnight, and in the world of broadcast TV, that usually means a very predictable, yet agonizing, wait for more episodes.
The short answer? It's sooner than you might think, but the "how" and "why" of the schedule matter just as much as the date itself.
The Official Word on When Tracker Returns
CBS didn't waste much time. They saw the numbers—Tracker was the most-watched new series of the 2023-2024 season. Because of that, the renewal for Season 2 happened faster than Colter Shaw can track a scent in the rain.
The network has officially slotted Tracker for its fall lineup. Specifically, Season 2 is set to premiere on Sunday, October 13, 2024. It’s keeping its prime real estate on Sunday nights at 8:00 PM ET/PT. This is a big deal. Sundays on CBS are a legacy slot, often following 60 Minutes or getting a massive lead-in from NFL football games. If you're wondering when does tracker start again and why it feels like it’s been away forever, it’s because the first season was shortened due to the Hollywood strikes. We only got 13 episodes. Next time, we’re looking at a full-season order, likely 22 episodes.
That’s a lot of missing persons.
Wait. There’s a catch. TV schedules are fickle. While October 13 is the red-letter day, sports often push things back. If an afternoon NFL game goes into overtime, Colter Shaw gets benched for thirty minutes or an hour. It’s the "Sunday Night Struggle" that fans of The Equalizer or CSI know all too well.
Why the Delay Felt So Long
It feels like we just met Colter. Usually, a show starts in September, runs until May, and goes on hiatus. Tracker didn't even start until after the Super Bowl in February 2024. It was a sprint, not a marathon. When the season finale aired in May, it left a massive void.
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People are hooked on the formula. It's "case of the week" meets "brooding family mystery." You've got the reward seeker who lives in an Airstream—which, let's be real, is the ultimate millennial fantasy minus the debt—and a supporting cast that barely gets enough screen time.
The production cycle is the main reason for the wait. They started filming Season 2 in Vancouver back in July 2024. Justin Hartley actually posted a few behind-the-scenes clips on Instagram showing him back in character. It takes time to scout those mountain locations, set up the stunts, and edit the footage into that crisp, cinematic look the show is known for.
What’s Actually Happening in Season 2?
When we talk about when does tracker start again, we’re also talking about where the story picks up. The Season 1 finale, "The Storm," didn't just end with a rescued girl; it blew the doors off the Shaw family secrets.
We finally saw Jennifer Morrison as Lizzy Hawking. She dropped a bombshell about Colter's father and a missing file. We’re going to see more of her. Showrunner Elwood Reid has basically confirmed that the "family drama" is going to be the backbone of Season 2. It won't just be Colter finding a lost hiker in the woods. It’s going to be Colter finding out if his brother, Russell (played by Jensen Ackles), is actually the guy who pushed their dad off a cliff—or if their mom is the one pulling the strings.
Expect more Jensen Ackles. The fan reaction to his guest appearance was explosive. You don't bring in a Supernatural legend for one episode and then never call him back. It wouldn't make sense. The chemistry between Hartley and Ackles felt like real brothers—lots of simmering tension and unspoken trauma.
The Logistics of Finding Colter Shaw
If you’re watching on Paramount+, the timing is slightly different. While the live broadcast is Sunday night, the "Essential" tier subscribers usually have to wait until Monday morning.
- Broadcast: CBS, Sundays at 8/7c.
- Streaming: Paramount+ (Live for with-SHOWTIME subs, next day for others).
- International: Usually follows a few weeks or months later on Disney+ or local networks depending on the region.
The production team has been very vocal about wanting to expand the world. In Season 1, Colter was a bit of a loner. Sure, he had Velma and Teddi (played by Abby McEnany and Robin Weigert) on the phone, and Reenie (Fiona Rene) showing up to bail him out of legal trouble. But Season 2 is supposedly going to dive deeper into why he lives in that trailer.
Misconceptions About the Schedule
There was some internet chatter about a "summer bridge" or a set of webisodes. Total nonsense. CBS doesn't really do that for its procedural dramas. They want the eyeballs on the linear TV screen. Don’t fall for YouTube clickbait claiming a "secret episode" dropped in August.
Also, don't expect a crossover with Justin Hartley's old show, This Is Us. I know, people keep asking. It's not happening. Different networks, different universes. Colter Shaw isn't Kevin Pearson. He's way more competent with a winch and a topographic map.
How to Prepare for the Premiere
If you’ve forgotten the details—like what happened to the box of letters Colter’s dad left behind—now is the time to rewatch. The first season is short. You can burn through it in a weekend.
Pay attention to the background characters. Reenie Greene, the lawyer, is becoming a much bigger part of the operation. Her dynamic with Colter is "will-they-won't-they" but with more paperwork. Many fans are betting that she eventually leaves her firm to join Colter’s "business" full-time.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check your local listings for October 13: If there is a double-header NFL game on CBS that day, set your DVR for at least an hour longer than the scheduled slot.
- Follow the cast on social media: Justin Hartley and Fiona Rene are the most active. They often post "day of" teasers that give away the location of the week.
- Binge Season 1 on Paramount+: Focus on episodes 11, 12, and 13. Those are the ones that set up the overarching mystery involving the Shaw family.
- Sign up for CBS newsletters: They usually drop the first five minutes of the premiere about four days before it airs. It's the best way to see the new cinematography style they’re promising for the sophomore season.
The wait for when does tracker start again is almost over. By the time the leaves start changing and the air gets crisp, Colter Shaw will be back in his Airstream, taking a reward, and uncovering the truth about his own messy past. It’s going to be a long winter of missing persons and family secrets, and honestly, we’re here for it.