CBS has made its move. The network’s newly unveiled 2025–26 primetime schedule isn’t just another lineup—it’s a bold declaration that crime dramas are here to dominate. Fans of high-stakes investigations, crossovers, and fan-favorite franchises now have a reason to circle Mondays and Tuesdays in red ink. Welcome to FBI Mondays and NCIS Tuesdays.

CBS Doubles Down on Crime Drama

For years, CBS has reigned as the home of procedural television. From the unstoppable NCIS juggernaut to the adrenaline-fueled FBI franchise, viewers know exactly what they’re getting: gripping cases, strong characters, and cliffhangers that keep you hooked.

But in an era when streamers chase risky concepts and prestige projects, CBS is choosing consistency over chaos. This isn’t reinvention—it’s reinforcement. The network is betting big that loyalty and comfort will win the ratings war.

FBI Mondays: A Powerhouse Block

Here’s how your Monday nights will look starting this fall:

• 8 PM: FBI

• 9 PM: FBI: International

• 10 PM: FBI: Most Wanted

Three shows. Three hours. One continuous universe. This seamless block is designed for viewers who want binge-style drama without ever changing the channel. Expect tighter crossovers, escalating tension, and cases that feel bigger than ever.

NCIS Tuesdays: Legacy Meets Fresh Blood

Tuesday night belongs to NCIS, and CBS is stacking the deck:

• 8 PM: NCIS

• 9 PM: NCIS: Origins (the much-anticipated prequel)

• 10 PM: NCIS: Hawai’i (with Sydney waiting in the wings if needed)

The big swing here is NCIS: Origins. By revisiting Leroy Jethro Gibbs’ younger days under Mike Franks, CBS merges nostalgia with fresh storytelling. Longtime fans get callbacks to the franchise’s roots, while newcomers meet a new generation of characters.

Global Appeal: Expanding Beyond the U.S.

With NCIS: Sydney already in circulation, CBS has its eye on the international market. Expect more global spin-offs if the numbers stay strong. It’s not just about dominating America’s living rooms anymore—it’s about building a worldwide empire of procedural storytelling.

Why Procedurals Still Thrive

Why is CBS sticking to this formula? Because procedurals deliver what streaming platforms struggle to replicate:

• Self-contained weekly mysteries

• Familiar characters viewers trust

• Comfort in consistency

Not everyone wants to binge 10 hours of emotionally draining drama. Sometimes, people just want a satisfying case solved in under an hour. CBS knows this—and it’s playing to its strengths.

Crossovers and Ratings Gold

Make no mistake: CBS isn’t just stacking episodes. It’s building a universe. Expect FBI agents crossing into NCIS storylines, villains popping up across franchises, and cliffhangers that pull fans from Monday straight into Tuesday. This Marvel-style strategy is designed to keep you glued to your screen two nights in a row.

Casting the Net Wide

This lineup hits every generation:

• Boomers stick with the original NCIS crew.

• Millennials get hooked by NCIS: Origins.

• Gen Z may connect with FBI: International’s global energy.

It’s not just scheduling—it’s demographic targeting at its sharpest.

The Long Game for CBS

Here’s the truth: CBS doesn’t care about sweeping awards. It cares about dominance, loyalty, and ad revenue. In an age of endless cancellations and chaotic programming, CBS is offering stability. Known characters. Known stories. And the guarantee that next week, your show will still be there.

What Fans Should Expect Next

Of course, midseason shakeups will come: delayed returns for fan favorites like Blue Bloods, possible replacements if new shows flop, and maybe even a fresh international spinoff. CBS is keeping a few cards hidden, ready to adapt.

But one thing’s clear: by doubling down on FBI and NCIS, CBS is making a bet on trust, tradition, and cross-generational appeal. And in a streaming-obsessed world, that might just be the smartest play in network TV.