Faith NCIS Series Overview and Broadcast Data
Faith NCIS refers to the long-running CBS crime drama franchise NCIS, which centers on a fictional team of special agents investigating crimes involving the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps. The series is produced by CBS Studios and Belisarius Productions, and it airs on the CBS broadcast network in the United States. As of the most recent public ratings and scheduling data, NCIS remains one of the highest-rated scripted programs on American television, consistently placing in the top weekly Nielsen rankings for broadcast network series. The show's enduring presence on CBS reflects a deliberate strategy by Paramount Global to anchor its primetime lineup with a reliable, high-viewership procedural franchise.
The franchise includes multiple spinoffs such as NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, and NCIS: Hawai'i, all of which share the same fictional universe and production framework. These series are distributed through traditional broadcast television and are also made available on Paramount+, the company's direct-to-consumer streaming platform. Publicly reported data from Nielsen and CBS earnings releases show that NCIS episodes regularly attract tens of millions of viewers in the United States, with the original NCIS series frequently ranking as the most-watched scripted show on broadcast TV. The franchise's sustained viewership supports significant advertising revenue for CBS and contributes to the overall valuation of Paramount Global's television division.
Production, Budget, and Financial Structure
NCIS episodes are filmed primarily in and around Los Angeles, California, with soundstage and location production managed by CBS Studios. While the network does not publicly disclose exact per-episode budgets for NCIS, industry estimates from trade publications place the cost of producing a single hour-long broadcast drama in the range of several million dollars, with NCIS falling within the standard range for a major network procedural. The show's production model relies on a combination of advertising revenue, affiliate fees paid by local CBS stations, and international licensing deals that distribute the series to broadcasters and streaming services worldwide.
Paramount Global reports its television segment revenue in quarterly earnings filings, and the NCIS franchise is a major contributor to the company's content library and advertising sales. The show's long-running format allows for cost efficiencies in production, including reusable sets, established crew, and recurring cast contracts that become more favorable over time. Publicly available information from the SEC filings of Paramount Global, accessible via the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission website, provides insight into how the company accounts for its television programming assets and the role of established franchises like NCIS in its overall financial performance.
Viewership Trends and Digital Distribution
Publicly reported Nielsen ratings show that NCIS continues to draw large audiences, with the original series frequently ranking first or second among all broadcast network programs in the key adults 25-54 demographic. The show's ability to maintain high viewership over many seasons is attributed to its consistent procedural format, strong lead performance by the cast, and extensive rerun scheduling across multiple time zones and local stations. CBS also publishes weekly top-10 program rankings in its press releases, and NCIS regularly appears at the top of those lists, reinforcing its position as a cornerstone of the network's programming strategy.
In addition to traditional broadcast viewing, NCIS episodes are available on Paramount+ and through digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV, where they can be purchased or streamed with a subscription. Data from streaming analytics firms and Paramount Global's own investor communications indicate that NCIS content drives significant viewership on Paramount+, helping the platform grow its subscriber base and compete with other major streaming services. The franchise's multi-platform availability ensures continued relevance and revenue generation as the television industry evolves toward hybrid broadcast and streaming distribution models.