the hunting party Surges in U.S. Stream Charts — Why Now Is the Time to Watch
The FBI procedural the hunting party has become a breakout streaming hit in the United States after its recent platform debut, sending viewers back to the show’s tense first season as a second season unfolds on linear television. The 10-episode opening run, which first premiered in January 2025, is now finding a fresh audience and climbing the weekly viewership ranks.
Where the series stands now and key dates
The series introduced its lead on January 19, 2025 (ET), when the first episode of season 1 premiered. The central character, Rebecca "Bex" Henderson, a former FBI profiler, returns to active duty to lead an elite team tasked with tracking escaped prisoners from a clandestine facility known as The Pit. One of the escapees is Richard Harris, the serial killer that Bex once put behind bars, raising personal stakes that thread through the season.
All 10 episodes from season 1 became available on a major streaming service in the United States on February 15, 2026 (ET). That platform placement has pushed the show into the top ranks of weekly viewing lists, where it currently sits among the most-watched series. The expanded visibility comes as season 2 is already airing on traditional television: four of 13 episodes have been broadcast so far, and the next episode is scheduled for February 26, 2026 (ET).
Why viewers are tuning in now
There are three clear drivers behind the renewed interest. First, the series blends a fast-paced procedural format with a serialized manhunt, making it easy to binge yet compelling to follow week to week. Second, the character work — anchored by the lead’s history with a notorious killer — gives the show a personal through-line that elevates routine case-of-the-week elements. Third, the platform pickup has exposed the show to a broader subscriber base nearly a year after its initial broadcast window, creating a fresh wave of conversation and discovery.
Audience response has skewed positive: the first season holds strong viewer approval and the series’ momentum on streaming suggests word-of-mouth is amplifying interest. For casual viewers who prefer self-contained mysteries, the season’s 10-episode length makes it an attractive weekend binge; for those who follow serialized television, the timing lets them catch up before new episodes of season 2 land each week.
How to catch up and what’s next
For anyone planning to start the series, the path is straightforward. Watch the complete 10-episode first season to familiarize yourself with key characters, the escape plot, and the psychological ties that bind Bex to the case. That foundation will make the stakes of season 2 clearer when new episodes arrive weekly through the remainder of its 13-episode run.
With momentum from both streaming exposure and ongoing broadcasts, the hunting party’s present success could influence how the show is positioned going forward. The combination of solid audience ratings and increasing visibility across viewing platforms strengthens its standing as a must-watch procedural for fans of high-stakes crime drama. As the second season continues, viewers who catch up now will be in position to follow each new episode in real time and weigh in on the unfolding hunt.
