It could just be the perfect storm of seeing three of the show’s biggest stars go head to head, paired with Alex Trebek’s health being a topic of great public interest, though I’m inclined to think people just really like the show.
That’s a level of viewership rarely seen in this golden age of television, and it’s being done by one of the oldest game shows on television.
ABC would probably be more than likely to say yes to future Jeopardy! episodes in primetime, especially after the opening episode drew 14.37 million viewers (via THR).