NCIS Season 23 Winter Premiere Postponed Until February for a Strategic Reason

NCIS Season 23’s Winter Return Pushed to Late February

The long-running crime drama NCIS will not return to CBS in January 2026 as it usually does. Instead, the network has postponed the winter premiere of season 23 until late February.

Why CBS Is Delaying the Premiere

CBS’s decision to delay the return of NCIS is linked to strategic scheduling. By pushing the premiere, the network aims to align the show’s post-holiday episodes with a tighter broadcast schedule, minimizing extended breaks between episodes and maintaining audience engagement throughout the spring.

This approach has become increasingly common as major networks adjust programming calendars to compete with streaming platforms and to ensure steady viewer retention.

What Fans Can Expect

When NCIS returns, viewers can expect high-stakes investigations and deeper character development. The midseason episodes will continue to explore personal storylines while introducing fresh challenges for the team. While no crossover events have been directly confirmed, CBS has hinted that interconnected storylines with other NCIS universe shows may appear later in the season.

“We want to deliver an uninterrupted run of new episodes once the show returns,” a CBS representative noted, emphasizing the focus on consistent weekly releases once the February launch begins.

Broadcast Timing and Availability

The expected winter premiere date is in late February 2026, and new episodes will air on CBS and stream the following day on Paramount+. Official schedule confirmation is anticipated soon after the network finalizes its midseason lineup.

Author’s summary: CBS postponed NCIS season 23’s winter return to late February 2026 to ensure a smoother, uninterrupted release schedule and stronger audience retention.

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Precinct TV Precinct TV — 2025-11-25

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