CSI: A Franchise With a Lasting Impact

The CSI franchise will not be a part of CBS’ fall line-up for the first time in sixteen years. With the cancellation of CSI: Cyber by the network, the franchise is done – or is it?

At the CBS upfronts this week, it was teased that CSI fans may see a new start for the franchise at some point. TV Series Finale previously reported that he said the franchise could return to the network at some point.

Deadline also reported that the producers of CSI are definitely open to bringing the franchise back in some form. CSI premiered in the fall of 2000, and it had three spin-offs since then. CSI: Cyber was the last spin-off on the air, and it dropped in the ratings over time.

As a fan of CSI: Cyber, this writer watched as Patricia Arquette and her team showed viewers what the technology we use every day is capable of doing. Unfortunately, the network bounced the series around so much that it had trouble finding a real foothold during its second season.

However, the franchise did help put a spotlight on the world of forensics. By doing that, many more people went into forensics than they did before the show premiered in 2000.

In an article shared by The Columbian, it was revealed in a study that the series has an impact on people going into forensics. The franchise was so popular that it helped young people make decisions about their possible career. Not every franchise can say that.

In an interview back in 2011, Mike Murphy, that man in charge at the office used as the basis for the first CSI series, even said that the series brought what he did “out of the shadows.”

However, back in 2000, CBS wasn’t even sure about the original series. It was considered an experiment, but it turned out to be a success. With CBS working on CBS All Access and already trying to spin-off The Good Wife for the streaming service, perhaps the network needs to look at CSI as a possible addition to that streaming service next year.

Do you want to see CSI back on CBS? Tell us what you think.