CBS Cheat Sheet: NCIS and FBI Franchises Thrive While Newer Shows Get the Axe

CBS Cheat Sheet: NCIS and FBI Franchises Thrive While Newer Shows Get the Axe
Television

CBS was quick off the mark, renewing eight shows for the 2026-27 TV season — a move that came as a big surprise considering what’s been going on behind the scenes since the Paramount Global and Skydance merger.

In the months that have followed, more shows have premiered, and some have been renewed and canceled.

With CBS gearing up for its annual upfronts presentation on April 15, there’s no time like the present to delve into what’s been renewed and canceled.

CBS Cheat Sheet: NCIS and FBI Franchises Thrive While Newer Shows Get the AxeCBS Cheat Sheet: NCIS and FBI Franchises Thrive While Newer Shows Get the Axe
(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

The network has plenty of new shows on deck for the 2026-27 season.

New scripted offerings include Cupertino, Einstein, and Eternally Yours.

But which shows will be joining them on the schedule, you ask?

Let’s take a look!

(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

Marshals – Renewed

Marshals was a big risk for the Yellowstone franchise and for CBS.

Thankfully, it paid off and secured a speedy renewal.

The Luke Grimes-fronted drama is the network’s highest-rated scripted series in the demo, with a 0.53 rating.

It’s not as huge as Yellowstone, but for a fraction of the cost, it’s doing what it needs to… on a broadcast network.

(Darko Sikman/CBS)

Tracker – Renewed

Tracker has got to be one of the bizarrest broadcast dramas because it relies so little on a secondary cast. That probably makes it make more sense financially for the network.

It has been a solid performer, with Tracker Season 3 currently averaging 8.85 million viewers and a 0.45 rating in the demo.

The show does get a health boost from streaming and DVR, so it makes sense that it has secured such an early renewal.

Missy with a teenage attitude on Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Season 2's Midseason FinaleMissy with a teenage attitude on Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage Season 2's Midseason Finale
(CBS/Troy Harvey)

Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage – Renewed

It’s a rarity that spinoffs resonate, never mind a spinoff of a spinoff.

But Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage is a true success story, averaging 5.49 million viewers and a 0.39 rating.

The series will remain intact for the 2026-27 season and, in turn, keep The Big Bang Theory universe alive.

(Bertrand Calmeau/CBS)

Ghosts – Renewed

Ghosts is another anomaly for CBS.

Far too often, remakes of British comedies don’t translate well for U.S. audiences.

Ghosts Season 5 is averaging 4.42 million viewers and a 0.35 rating. Yes, the show has lost some steam this season, shedding almost 20% of its total viewer tally.

But the show is performing well enough to score renewal after renewal. It would have to lose far more ground to be considered on the bubble.

(Sonja Flemming/CBS)

NCIS – Renewed

The NCIS universe has long been the crown jewel of CBS’s line-up, and it has birthed countless spinoffs.

The original series remains a solid option, with NCIS Season 23 pulling in 5.42 million viewers and a 0.31 rating.

Of course, these numbers are way down from the show’s heyday, but CBS has been vocal about the franchise’s strong post-airdate viewing.

A positive note: NCIS is up vs. last year. That’s a big feat in this day and age.

(Monty Brinton/CBS)

The Neighborhood – Ending

The Neighborhood has had a long and successful run — a broadcast comedy that has reached eight seasons is unheard of nowadays.

It’s great for the show and also great for the fans.

The Neighborhood Season 8 has dipped in the ratings, averaging 3.72 million viewers and a 0.34 rating.

These numbers could have gotten the show another season, but creatively, it’s a good time to end the series.

Matty holding her phone and looking mad on Matlock Season 2 Episode 8Matty holding her phone and looking mad on Matlock Season 2 Episode 8
(CBS/Michael Yarish)

Matlock – Renewed

Matlock had a red-hot first season on CBS, but Matlock Season 2 has been all over the shop in terms of writing and ratings.

The Kathy Bates drama has shed almost a quarter of its live+same-day numbers, with 4.56 million viewers on the case and a 0.26 rating in the demo.

Yes, the show remains a solid multi-platform performer, but with so much criticism this season, Matlock needs an overhaul.

( Greg Gayne/CBS)

NCIS: Origins – Renewed

Last season, I thought NCIS: Origins could be one-and-done, because the initial on-air ratings weren’t too strong.

However, NCIS: Origins Season 2 is averaging 3.80 million viewers and a 0.24 rating.

It makes sense, then, that CBS has already handed out a renewal.

(Christos Kalohoridis/CBS)

Sheriff Country – Renewed

Fire Country has been on a slippery slope for the last few years, raising the real chance that Sheriff Country wouldn’t reach the level of success expected.

Thankfully, Sheriff Country Season 1 is averaging 4.80 million viewers and a 0.24 rating.

This is a solid result for Friday evenings, so it makes sense that the spinoff has been picked up for next season.

DMVDMV
(Bertrand Calmeau/CBS)

DMV – Canceled

This comedy series didn’t set the ratings on fire when it premiered in October, but it has been consistent.

DMV Season 1 averaged 3.05 million viewers and a 0.24 rating. It’s not bad, given the shows that have been renewed with similar numbers.

However, the fact that it didn’t get an early renewal raiseed significant questions about what CBS had planned for next season, and now we know.

An eyewitness gives Maggie and OA information after a shooting on FBI Season 8 Episode 8An eyewitness gives Maggie and OA information after a shooting on FBI Season 8 Episode 8
(CBS/Bennett Raglin)

FBI – Renewed

After CBS canceled FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, it seems that fans have stopped watching the mothership in protest.

FBI Season 8 has shed almost 40% of its year-over-year demo tally, down to a 0.27 rating, along with 4.57 million viewers.

Still, CBS is all about keeping shows around these days, so it’s not too surprising that it has secured a renewal for next season.

But the big question is how long it will continue if it continues shedding the same percentage of viewers each season.

(Mark Schafer/CBS)

CIA – Renewed

CIA Season 1 Episode 1 had 3.78 million viewers and a 0.20 rating.

New shows tend to drop post-premiere, but CIA is averaging 3.60 million viewers and a 0.20 rating.

The on-air numbers are soft, but CBS clearly sees value in a show tied to such a beloved franchise.

That’s probably what got it the renewal.

(Eike Schroter/CBS)

Fire Country – Renewed

Fire Country has featured questionable storytelling over the last few years, so it’s no surprise it’s continued to drop in the ratings this season.

Fire Country Season 4 is averaging 3.85 million viewers and a 0.24 rating.

The numbers remain decent for Friday evenings, which is probably what compelled CBS to issue a renewal. But it’s hard to imagine long-term viability here if viewers are rejecting the show.

Elsbeth holds a green coat while questioning the circumstances of a murder on Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10Elsbeth holds a green coat while questioning the circumstances of a murder on Elsbeth Season 3 Episode 10
(CBS/Michael Parmelee)

Elsbeth – Renewed

The Good Wife franchise remains intact thanks to Elsbeth’s continued success.

The Carrie Preston-fronted series has never been a big success in traditional ratings, but it has been a powerhouse in delayed viewing.

Elsbeth Season 3 is currently averaging 3.62 million viewers and a 0.19 rating — down 25% year over year in the demo.

Danny and Lena investigate at a strip club on Boston Blue Season 1 Episode 9Danny and Lena investigate at a strip club on Boston Blue Season 1 Episode 9
(CBS/Brendan Adam-Zwelling)

Boston Blue – Renewed

The Blue Bloods spinoff that everyone questioned when it nabbed a series order last year has actually been a decent series.

Boston Blue Season 1 has attracted 3.90 million viewers and a 0.17 rating. The numbers may seem soft, but CBS has been vocal about the show’s total numbers being much higher.

With some more well-marketed guest spots from franchise alums, perhaps the show could surge a bit.

(Daniel Asher Smith/Paramount+ )

NCIS: Sydney – Renewed

There’s no mistaking that the numbers for NCIS: Sydney are rough. NCIS: Sydney Season 3 is currently pulling in around 2.70 million viewers and a 0.15 rating in the demo.

They are not great numbers, but remember that the show is far cheaper to produce than the network’s other scripted shows because it’s a co-production.

For that reason alone, it will probably be around for the years to come.

Watson standing next to the word "psychosis" on the whiteboard on Watson Season 2 Episode 9Watson standing next to the word "psychosis" on the whiteboard on Watson Season 2 Episode 9
(CBS/Colin Bentley)

Watson – Canceled

Watson scored a surprise renewal last season, but it wasn’t as fortunate this year.

Watson Season 2 is pulling in 2.95 million viewers and a 0.17 rating — down 55 percent and 42 percent, respectively.

The show missed out on an early renewal, which meant CBS was weighing up its future.

Okay, TV Fanatics! What’s your take on CBS’s decisions so far for next season? Which shows do you think deserve a renewal, and which do you think should be canceled?

You made it to the end — and that means a lot.
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