CBS will reshuffle its Sunday primetime slate this week as the network opts to air the first episode of NCIS: Hawai’i’s upcoming two-parter episode after coverage of the AFC Divisional Playoff Game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs.
The series starring Vanecha Lachey will return for “Spies, Part 1”, which airs from 10-11 p.m. ET/PT on Sunday on CBS. The first portion of the two-part episode follows what happens when NCIS investigates the mysterious death of a Navy engineer, Joseph Chan. They learn the last person he met with was his colleague, Maggie Shaw (Julie White), Jane’s mentor and friend, who’s been kidnapped. Also, David Sola (Beulah Koale), a New Zealand intelligence service case officer arrives in Hawai’i, following a lead that connects Joseph’s death to a Chinese black op secret agent. The episode is directed by LeVar Burton.
Have you ever wondered how networks juggle drama and sports? On January 23, 2022, CBS pulled off a programming coup — right after the AFC Divisional Playoff game, they aired Part One of a two-part NCIS: Hawai‘i episode. This isn’t just a scheduling trick; it speaks to the high stakes of prime time television: grab massive viewership, capture crossover audiences, and set the stage for must-see TV. In this article, let’s dive into how CBS made that decision, what the episode delivered, and what it says about the evolving media landscape.
TV networks have long known that sports draw huge live audiences. Pairing that with a high-profile drama immediately after can help retain viewers who might otherwise tune out. It’s about lead-in leverage. If the playoff game draws in millions, a postgame slot becomes premium real estate.
CBS clearly saw NCIS: Hawai‘i’s two-parter as event television — something that could ride the wave of the game’s momentum and deliver ratings. It’s a high risk, high reward move.
2. What Exactly Happened That Sunday Night
On Sunday, January 23, CBS scheduled “Spies, Part 1” of NCIS: Hawai‘i to air right after the AFC Divisional Playoff. The game between the Buffalo Bills and Kansas City Chiefs started at 5:30 p.m. PT (or 6:30 ET), and CBS slotted the episode after post-game coverage, so the time was approximate.
Part Two aired the next night in its usual Monday prime time slot. This ensured continuity and didn’t leave viewers waiting a full week.
3. “Spies, Part 1” — Plot, Cast & Stakes
Plot at a Glance
In Spies, Part 1, the NCIS team investigates the mysterious death of a Navy engineer named Joseph Chan. They discover that Maggie Shaw, Jane Tennant’s mentor, was the last person to see him — and now she’s been kidnapped. Meanwhile, a New Zealand intelligence officer, David Sola (Beulah Koale), arrives with possible links to a Chinese black ops agent.
Key Cast
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Vanessa Lachey as Jane Tennant
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Julie White as Maggie Shaw (kidnapped)
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Beulah Koale as David Sola
This episode also was directed by LeVar Burton — adding prestige to the two-parter.
4. How Part Two Followed (and Why It Mattered)
Part Two aired the next night during NCIS: Hawai‘i’s regular timeslot, maintaining momentum from the playoff lead-in. That continuity helped avoid audience dropoff. It also reinforced that the two episodes were a cohesive narrative event, not stand-alone stories.
5. Audience Reaction & Ratings Impact
While precise live ratings data for that specific night is harder to find, we do know the show was still early in its run, and CBS was pushing it as a tentpole. The strategy likely aimed to boost visibility and attract new viewers who might otherwise skip over a newer series.
Public reaction included excitement over the bold scheduling, though some fans expressed concern that the postgame placement could lead to delays or confusion. A few local listings even anticipated adjustments based on game overrun.
6. CBS’s Strategy: Schedule Manipulation and Event TV
CBS used this as a textbook example of event programming: turning a regular TV show into a must-watch moment. By branding it as a two-parter after a major sports event, they elevated its importance.
They also accomplished:
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Cross-audience capture: Sports audience + drama fans
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Boosted visibility: The NFL crowd sees promos or teasers
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Talk momentum: Viewers discussing online or in watercoolers
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Reduced competition: Fewer simultaneous shows during the slot
It’s a tactic networks use to maximize ad dollars and build buzz.
7. Risks & Rewards of Post-Game Programming
Rewards
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Massive built-in audience
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Opportunity to introduce new viewers to the show
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Elevated reputation as “event” content
Risks
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Game overrun — delays pushing schedule
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Core fans might miss due to confusion
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If the content underdelivers, backlash
CBS clearly judged that the upside outweighed the risk.
8. Comparisons: Other Shows That Did This
It’s not unprecedented. For example:
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Networks sometimes premiere or air special episodes after Super Bowl or big sports events.
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AMC once aired a “Walking Dead” special after a major event to maximize exposure.
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Networks will occasionally “premiere after the Oscars” or similar flagship events.
This move by CBS fits into that playbook: use a monster lead-in to amplify impact.
9. What It Tells Us About Future TV Moves
Streaming and DVR have changed viewing habits, but live events still command attention. Networks believe that anchoring drama around big sports can still work — especially for series that need a push.
We may see more crossovers: the “football + scripted show” combo could become a trend for launches or sweeps periods.
10. Legacy: NCIS: Hawai‘i and Its Lifecycle
As of April 26, 2024, CBS officially canceled NCIS: Hawai‘i after three seasons, with its final episode airing May 6, 2024. By that time, the show had produced 54 episodes.
The decision stemmed from a mix of factors: ratings, financial costs, and strategic network scheduling decisions. This gives the playoff tie-in episode a special place in the show’s history — a bold moment in its run that many fans still look back on.
11. Fan Takeaways: What to Watch For
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Pay attention to how CBS handled postgame promos — were they adequate, clear, timely?
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Did the episode actually retain a significant portion of the playoff audience?
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How many of those new viewers stuck with the show over subsequent episodes?
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In hindsight, was this positioning a success or merely a stunt?
12. Media Lessons: Cross-Genre Scheduling
This case shows:
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Lead-in exploitation is still viable
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Events (sports, awards, etc.) remain promotional anchors
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Scheduling and narrative choices must align — the content has to deliver
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Networks will take big gambles to break out shows
13. Challenges in Forecasting Viewer Habits
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Live sports sometimes run over — messing up downstream scheduling
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Viewers are more fragmented — some watch via streaming or DVR
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Social media and spoilers can erode live viewership
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Some dramas may not appeal to the sports audience
So, execution is critical.
14. Streaming & On-Demand Effects
Even though the episode aired live, many fans watch later on Paramount+ or catch up. That flexibility softens some risks. But the live “event” tag still adds prestige and urgency. People love to be part of “must-watch TV” moments.
15. Wrap-Up & Forward Look
CBS’s decision to air NCIS: Hawai‘i Part One right after an AFC Divisional Playoff game was a bold, strategic play in the world of TV scheduling. It leveraged a massive audience, created buzz, and underscored the show’s status as event television. Whether or not it paid off in long-term ratings, it’s a compelling study in how networks think.
As TV continues evolving — with streaming, audience fragmentation, and multiplatform viewing — moves like these offer lessons in risk, reward, and the place of “watercooler moments” in the digital age.
Conclusion
The airing of Part One of NCIS: Hawai‘i right after the AFC Divisional Playoff stands as an emblematic moment in modern broadcast strategy. It married sports and episodic drama into a single event — a gamble on audience retention and brand elevation. While NCIS: Hawai‘i has since concluded its run, that moment remains a testament to how networks continue to innovate in programming. As viewers, we benefit from these experiments — they’re reminders that TV can still surprise us, unite us, and turn ordinary nights into must-watch occasions.
