It’s Time to Play the Music: ‘Muppet Show’ Revival Special Hits 7.58 Million Viewers

The Muppets are officially back in the spotlight, and the audience is larger than it has been in decades. According to a new report from Variety, the highly anticipated revival of “The Muppet Show” has drawn an impressive 7.58 million multiplatform viewers in its first eight days of release across ABC and Disney+.

The special, which premiered on February 4, 2026, has proven to be a massive win for Disney, capturing the nostalgia of the original 1970s variety format while attracting a new generation of viewers.

A Triumphant Return to Form

Unlike recent experimental Muppet projects, this revival special went back to the basics: a classic variety show staged at the iconic Muppet Theater. Directed by Alex Timbers (Moulin Rouge! The Musical), the special recaptured the “scrappy, analog aesthetic” that defined the Jim Henson era.

The viewership breakdown highlights a particularly strong performance on linear television. On its premiere night, the special averaged 3.07 million viewers on ABC, making it the #1 show of the night in the coveted 18-49 demographic (scoring a 0.52 rating). When combined with streaming data from Disney+, the total audience surged to over 7.5 million, signaling that the Muppets still have significant “appointment viewing” power.

Sabrina Carpenter and Seth Rogen Join the Chaos

A major factor in the special’s success was its star-studded guest list and creative team. Sabrina Carpenter served as both the primary guest host and an executive producer. Critics and fans alike praised her chemistry with the Muppets—specifically Miss Piggy—with many comparing her performance to the classic guest spots of the original series.

The project was a collaboration between The Muppets Studio and Point Grey Pictures, the production company led by Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg. Rogen, who also made a guest appearance alongside Maya Rudolph, has been on a creative hot streak, and his influence was felt in the special’s sharp but earnest humor.

Critical Acclaim and Future Prospects

The numbers are only half the story. The revival currently holds a near-perfect 98% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics have hailed it as “the perfect revival,” noting that it avoided modern “trendiness” in favor of timeless comedy and musical numbers. Read our review here.

The overwhelming success of the special has immediately sparked rumors of a full series order. Insiders have long suggested that this one-off was intended as a backdoor pilot. Given the high ratings and the fact that it hit #1 on Disney+ streaming charts in 59 countries, a full season order for a new Muppet Show feels more like a “when” than an “if.”

For now, fans can stream the special on Disney+ or catch encore presentations on ABC. As the classic theme song says, “this is what we call The Muppet Show”—and in 2026, the world is clearly still watching.