CBS 2025-2026 Primetime Power Play: ‘NCIS’ Tuesdays and Jerry Bruckheimer Fridays Redefine Network TV

The CBS 2025–2026 primetime lineup is here and it's making major waves. With three NCIS shows airing back-to-back on Tuesdays and a Jerry Bruckheimer-produced drama block owning Friday nights, the network is doubling down on its most reliable franchises. This bold scheduling move not only reinforces CBS’s dominance in the procedural drama space but also reflects shifting viewer habits and strategic brand consolidation.

If you're a fan of crime dramas, legacy franchises, or just great TV, you won’t want to miss this guide. Below, we’ll break down the highlights of CBS’s 2025–26 schedule, what it means for viewers and advertisers, and why this season is set to be one of the network's most ambitious yet.

🔍 Why the 2025–2026 CBS Lineup Matters

CBS has always excelled at creating addictive, character-driven dramas, and its latest schedule showcases that strength. By leaning into popular franchises like NCIS and investing in proven producers like Jerry Bruckheimer, the network is maximizing audience loyalty while evolving to meet the demands of modern viewership.

Key takeaways:

• Tuesdays will feature a triple-header of NCIS titles.

• Fridays become a Jerry Bruckheimer showcase with Sheriff Country, Fire Country, and Boston Blue.

• CBS is clearly targeting fans of serialized drama with emotional depth and procedural intrigue.

📺 NCIS Tuesdays: A Franchise Power Block

Tuesdays at 8–11 p.m. ET/PT:

• 8:00 p.m. – NCIS

• 9:00 p.m. – NCIS: Origins (New Series)

• 10:00 p.m. – NCIS: Sydney

The NCIS franchise has been a ratings juggernaut for over two decades. In the 2025–26 lineup, CBS strategically places all three iterations of the brand into one high-impact evening.

Why it works:

• Audience loyalty: The original NCIS still draws millions of viewers weekly.

• New energy: NCIS: Origins dives into young Gibbs’ early career, appealing to both longtime fans and new viewers.

• Global reach: NCIS: Sydney, CBS’s international spin-off, brings fresh locations and diverse storylines.

Insider Tip: If you're planning ad buys or fan content, Tuesday night is the sweet spot for visibility in the crime procedural niche.

🔥 Jerry Bruckheimer Fridays: The New Law-and-Order Night

Fridays at 8–11 p.m. ET/PT:

• 8:00 p.m. – Sheriff Country (New Series)

• 9:00 p.m. – Fire Country

• 10:00 p.m. – Boston Blue (New Series)

Legendary producer Jerry Bruckheimer is taking full control of CBS Fridays. The lineup features:

• Sheriff Country: A Fire Country spinoff starring Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox.

• Fire Country: The breakout hit returns with more high-stakes rescues and personal drama.

• Boston Blue: A Blue Bloods spinoff featuring Donnie Wahlberg’s character, now with the Boston PD.

What this means:

• Cohesive branding: All three shows are gritty, emotionally grounded, and tied to real-world stakes.

• Extended universes: Spinoffs provide entry points for new audiences while expanding lore for existing fans.

Viewer Tip: Expect crossovers and multi-night events, increasing engagement and fan theories across social media.

📅 Other Nights to Watch

CBS isn’t ignoring the rest of the week. Highlights include:

• Monday Comedies: The Neighborhood final season.

• Thursday Favorites: Ghosts, Elsbeth, and the new Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.

• Sunday Dramas: 60 Minutes and the Sherlock Holmes-inspired Watson round out the weekend.

📝 CBS Is Betting Big and Smart

CBS’s 2025–2026 schedule is a masterclass in franchise synergy. By clustering compatible shows on the same night, they’re enhancing viewer retention, building stronger brand identities, and optimizing for multi-platform engagement. For fans, it means more of what they love. For CBS, it’s a strategic move to own key nights of the week.

Full Schedule:

MONDAY

8 pm The Neighborhood (final season)

8:30 pm DMV

9 pm FBI

10 pm CIA

TUESDAY

8 pm NCIS

9 pm NCIS: Origins

10 pm NCIS: Sydney

WEDNESDAY (Fall Season)

8 pm Survivor

9:30 pm The Amazing Race

WEDNESDAY (Winter Season)

8 pm Hollywood Squares

9 pm The Price Is Right at Night

10 pm Harlan Coben's Final Twist

WEDNESDAY (Spring Season)

8 pm Survivor 50

9:30 pm America's Culinary Cup

10:30 pm Hollywood Squares

THURSDAY

8 pm Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage

8:30 pm Ghosts

9 pm Matlock

10 pm Elsbeth

FRIDAY

8 pm Sheriff Country

9 pm Fire Country

10 pm Boston Blue

SATURDAY

8 pm encores

9 pm encores

10 pm 48 Hours

SUNDAY (Fall Season)

7 pm 60 Minutes

8 pm Tracker

9 pm The Road

10 pm encores

SUNDAY (Spring Season)

7 pm 60 Minutes

8 pm Tracker

9 pm Y: Marshals

10 pm Watson

Don’t miss it: Tune in Tuesdays for all things NCIS, and settle in on Fridays for a Bruckheimer triple-threat. Whether you're a longtime fan or a first-time viewer, CBS has made primetime appointment TV again.

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