"Hearts and Minds" first aired on January 12, 2005 in the United States.[5] The episode's broadcast gained an estimated 20.81 million viewers, making it ABC's sixth most watched episode for the week.[8] It earned a ratings share of 7.9/21 among adults aged 18 to 49[9] and a 4.1/13 share among teenagers, both measures attaining series highs.