In a no-brainer move, CBS has renewed their top drama, NCIS, for a ninth season. The series currently averages a 4.0 rating in the coveted 18-49 demographic, ranking behind only Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory on the CBS schedule. The renewal follows the news that Mark Harmon has signed a new two-year contract and the series drew its biggest ratings to date last night with a 4.6 rating in the demo and 22.9 million viewers.
Here’s the press release from CBS…
CBS RENEWS “NCIS” FOR THE 2011-2012 SEASON
Television’s #1 Drama/Scripted Series to Return for Its Ninth Season
Tuesday’s Broadcast Delivers a Series’ Record Audience of 22.85 Million Viewers
NCIS, television’s #1 drama/scripted series for the second consecutive year, has been renewed by the CBS Television Network for the 2011-2012 season, it was announced today by Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment.
“It’s simply amazing that a show in its eighth season continues to perform at such an elite level,” said Nina Tassler, President, CBS Entertainment. “This is a tribute to the hard work of its talented writers, producers and cast for bringing to life such compelling stories and characters with intrigue and humor. The quality of the storytelling is also evident by the series’ incredibly devoted fan base who we thank for their passion and commitment to NCIS on CBS, in online communities and around the world.”
“NCIS has become a network phenomenon and a global sensation. The show continues to hit audience peaks on CBS and is a top performer in territories around the world,” said David Stapf, President, CBS Television Studios. “We thank an amazing cast, led by Mark Harmon, which has undeniable chemistry, for bringing to life characters with such amazing universal appeal. And, we credit Shane (Brennan) and Gary (Glasberg) for the storytelling and production vision that delivers compelling episodes every week and a fresh creative vision every year.”
NCIS premiered on CBS in 2003-2004 as a spin-off of the long-running action/legal drama, “JAG.” Since its debut, NCIS’s ratings have steadily climbed, becoming a top 10 program in 2007-2008, the series’ fifth season. NCIS’s ratings continued building the following season, finishing 2008-2009 ranked fifth among all primetime programs. Last season, NCIS ranked fourth among all programs and became the #1 drama/scripted program on television, with an average audience of 18.89 million viewers.
Currently in its eighth season, NCIS’s ratings are still rising and the series continues to be the #1 drama/scripted series. This season, NCIS is averaging 19.60 million viewers. Last night’s episode delivered a record audience of 22.85 million viewers and the show’s highest adult 18-49 rating since Oct. 2009.
NCIS stars Mark Harmon, Michael Weatherly, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray, Pauley Perrette, Rocky Carroll and David McCallum. Shane Brennan, Chas. Floyd Johnson, Gary Glasberg, Mark Horowitz, Mark Harmon and Donald P. Bellisario are executive producers for Belisarius Productions in association with CBS Television Studios.
What do you think? Happy to hear NCIS has been renewed? How long should this series realistically continue? Could it go on without Harmon?
Image courtesy CBS.
NCIS: I love the show from the being. I think it is great. As long as Mark Harmon is on the show with his crew: Tony, Ziva, Doc, Abby, Tim, I will keep watching. I don’t like the new director Vance. I would like it very much if Tony would go back to being himself. I’ve heard recently he has reverted back to the beginning of the change in Tony. When the show first started Tony personality was great. He was a normal guy who was a kidder. Then one day (around 3rd or 4th season) the writers wanted to… Read more »
What kind of modifications do I need to make.
I love ncis, I hope it stays on for many years. I love Ziva and Abby in fact we named one of our cars Ziva and one Abby, Ziva makes the show alot more exciting. I love all the peole, I bought all the episodes. Just waiting for 9 to come out.
Please don’t kill off Mark Harmon…Don’t stop the show…Heck Gunsmoke ran for 20 yrs!
You took away Magnum & Jag…..NCIS is the only really good show left. I do not watch Big Bang or Three & Half men..both of those are to stupid, I’d rather take the dog for a walk.
KEEP NCIS & Mark Harmon…..Get rid of Rocky Carrol..I do not like that dude.
please please please keep them coming I love the NCIS show. Especially Mark Harmon.
barb.
NCIS is the #1 reason I watch tv on tuesday nights.All of the cast are fantastic especially David McCallum- Ilya Kouriocen (The Man From UNCLE) Between trying to figure out who Gibbs’ next “red-head” will be,wondering if Ziva and Tony will finally admit their feelings and watching the inter-play between Abby and McGee,the show is chock full of action.Love the D’Nozo head slap lol. Keep the action rolling guys and gals. And NOOOOO NCIS would not be the same with out Mark Harmon.I do admit to missing Muse Watson as Gibbs mentor.Hey thats what reruns and flashbacks are for right?
I love NCIS Mark Harmon. please keep him on. He makes the show. They are number 1 in my book. I watch all the reruns everyday. Please keep it coming. Loyal fan.
barb.
I was a dedicated viewer of jag, having served in the navy it was quite realistic it took me to a level of entertainment that i actually felt a belonging to. then when it reached an end i was extremely distrought thinking now what, nothing else was worth watching that had any since of reality or real time script. Then I found NCIS and man was i reliefed. particularly when they merged the characters of the two shows for a two hour script that interlaced those from jag and ncis . it literally had me jumping out of my sit… Read more »
Tell me where it is written in stone a tv series is only allowed so many seasons.I am still mad with Bellasarios for stopping MAGNUM and JAG.If NCIS is still having excellant ratings who in their right mind would stop a hit series.Rise up and complain let our voices be heard!!!!! Who else besides me had withdrawal pains when we lost MAGNUM and JAG?
Love love Ncis so happy it was renewed watch it everyday all day if possible
The best series on tv. I love it and watch it constantly-every show is great and all the cast
members are also great!
Keep the show going for a long time. It is better than JAG which lasted ten seasons and could have gone more had they kept David still going.
NCIS would not be the same if Mark Harmon left. I do not wat ch NCIS los
angeles because it is not the same and the actors are not as good. I have all the
DVD’s for the last eight years and love to watch them again and again.
Keep NCIS going.
i love ncis i watch it all the time the show is great mark harmon is my # one he is what makes the show without him it is not the same
I love NCIS but why was the Mike Franks character killed? He added a lot to the show.
Don’t know why Mike Franks character was killed but I think he also knew more about Shannon and Kelly than he led on. Like perhaps they are in witness protection program and it the minivan they were supposed to be in (or were they?) because why would they be riding in their own private vehical? (They use diversion technics in reallity and for sure not in there own vehical as depicted.)
NCIS – what a great show !!
Don,t change anything,Its a great show.I watch all the reruns . I want to be one of the walkers that walk by abbys lab window.
I like NCIS Los Angeles and all the Characters that are on the show. I like Heddy and the show will not be the same if she leaves