Here’s a definitive list of the 10 best CBS TV shows as of October 2025. These series dominate in ratings, fan buzz, critical acclaim—or all three. Whether you’re after intense drama, lighthearted comedy, or edge-of-seat mystery, there’s something here you’ll love.
What Makes a CBS Show “Best” in 2025?
Before diving into the list, let’s clarify the criteria:
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Viewership & ratings (live + multiplatform)
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Critical reception and audience sentiment
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Longevity, renewals, and network confidence
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Cultural impact & buzz (social media, awards, fandom)
CBS has solidified its dominance: it’s on track for a record 17th consecutive season as America’s most-watched network. At the same time, newer shows have carved out huge audiences, joining established franchises as must-watch programming.
With that in mind…
Top 10 CBS Shows in October 2025
Below, the ranking from #1 through #10, with compelling reasons each earned its spot.
1. Tracker
Why it’s #1:
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Dominated the ratings in 2024–25, with some of the highest total viewership for any broadcast show.
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Fresh premise, strong lead performance, and strong social media buzz.
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Offers suspense, character depth, and puzzle-of-the-week storytelling, meaning it appeals to both binge-watchers and weekly viewers.
2. Matlock
Why it earns #2:
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The reboot of the classic legal drama has resonated deeply, combining procedural cases with serialized stakes.
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The show balances nostalgia and modern pacing.
3. 60 Minutes
Why it remains a staple:
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A journalistic institution with decades of credibility.
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Continues to deliver investigative reporting and interviews that draw serious viewership.
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Despite the rise of streaming, 60 Minutes still commands presence in news and current affairs.
4. FBI
Why it’s still a heavyweight:
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Even as spinoffs are canceled (FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted), the flagship FBI holds strong.
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The show delivers procedural suspense with character arcs, appealing to mass audiences.
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CBS’s strategy includes evolving the franchise (e.g. new CIA spin-off), showing network faith in it.
5. Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage
Why it breaks into top tier:
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One of CBS’s top-performing comedies.Its blend of humor, relational drama, and offbeat moments gives it cross-demographic appeal.
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It’s also part of CBS’s push into more character-centered, emotionally resonant comedy.
6. NCIS
Why it continues to thrive:
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A long-running franchise that reliably draws audiences with criminal investigations, team dynamics, and strong characters.
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It remains a foundational series in the CBS lineup, often anchoring Tuesday night slots.
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It evolves, bringing in new cast members while maintaining continuity.
7. Elsbeth
Why it’s trending upward:
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A quirky, procedural spin-off of The Good Wife franchise, centering on a clever, unconventional attorney.
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Uses a “howcatchem” rather than “whodunit” format in many episodes, giving viewers insight into the crime before revealing how it’s solved.
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Renewed for multiple seasons already, signaling that CBS has confidence in its longevity.
8. Ghosts
Why it deserves this spot:
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An offbeat supernatural comedy that combines heart, humor, and playful genre elements.
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Strong social media presence and fan devotion keep it relevant.
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Among CBS’s top two comedies in certain metrics.
9. Watson
Why it’s making waves:
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A fresh medical procedural with a detective twist, centered on Dr. John Watson (yes, of Sherlock fame).
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Combines medical mystery, crime, and character backstory, which helps it appeal to fans of multiple genres.
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It’s new, but it already has network backing and reasonable critical buzz.
10. Fire Country
Why it rounds out the top 10:
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Adventure / action series focused on firefighters and wildfire challenges. It blends drama, danger, and interpersonal stakes. It’s among CBS’s newer rising shows.
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While not yet at the rating heights of the top 5, it has strong potential and thematic appeal in 2025.
Trends, Themes & Insights from CBS’s 2025 Lineup
Legacy Franchises vs New Bets
CBS continues to balance tried-and-true franchises (NCIS, FBI, 60 Minutes) with newer, riskier shows (Matlock reboot, Watson, Georgie & Mandy). The network’s top ratings show that fresh content can compete with legacy names.
Genre Diversity = Audience Diversity
From procedural crime to supernatural comedy, from court drama to medical mystery, CBS’s strength in 2025 is genre variety. That variety helps it retain broad appeal across different demographics.
Renewals & Cancellations Signal Strategy
CBS canceled multiple acronym-spinoffs (FBI: International, FBI: Most Wanted, S.W.A.T.). Those shifts suggest CBS is consolidating its best performers and focusing on high-leverage IPs.
The Impact of Streaming / Multiplatform Viewing
Ratings now include multiplatform viewing windows, not just live. Several of these top 10 shows benefit from streaming audiences on Paramount+ and other platforms. That means shows with binge-appeal or strong streaming performance can punch above their live ratings.
Social Buzz & Fan Engagement
Shows like Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage, Tracker, and Ghosts thrive not just by what’s on screen, but what’s happening online—fan theories, clips, memes, and engagement help drive viewers.
Spotlight: What Makes Each of These 10 Unique
Tracker — Mystery + Character Depth
The series isn’t just about solving the missing-person cases; it’s about who Tracker is. Complex leads, twists, and emotional stakes push it beyond procedural. The show also benefits from tight pacing and modern visual storytelling.
Matlock — A Revival Done Right
Reboots often struggle. Matlock blends court-of-the-week stories with serialized arcs (e.g. conspiracies, personal stakes). It leans on Kathy Bates’s strong performance and modern sensibilities.
FBI — Franchise Backbone
While spin-offs come and go, FBI holds the core. Its formula—crime, forensics, family among agents—is proven. It still evolves incrementally, introducing new characters and plot lines to keep things fresh.
Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage — Comedy With Heart
It’s fun, but not fluff. The show tackles relationships, ambition, identity, and mistakes, all wrapped in warm humor. That mix makes it sticky for viewers.
NCIS — Trust & Team Chemistry
After so many seasons, NCIS leans heavily on the strength of its ensemble, legacy characters, and the trust viewers place in the world. The investment over time gives it resilience others lack.
Elsbeth — Legal Drama With a Twist
Elsbeth brings quirk, observational humor, and clever structure. Because viewers see how the crime happens (the “howcatchem”), the show flips expectation: the question is how she solves it, not who did it. That keeps the format fresh.
Ghosts — Lightness That Lasts
Supernatural hijinks, lovable ghosts, and romance issues—Ghosts succeeds because it doesn’t overstay its welcome. Episodes balance emotional sensitivity and laugh-out-loud moments.
Watson — Genre Mashup Magic
Medical procedural meets detective mystery is an ambitious blend. But it works because the central conflict is strong: a doctor uncovering crimes tied to medical symptoms. And insights into Watson’s past add narrative depth.
Fire Country — Emotional High Stakes
Action, disaster, relationships, life-or-death decisions—Fire Country has built-in peril. The disaster genre inherently raises stakes, and the show leans into relational drama to ground it.
60 Minutes — Legacy, But Still Relevant
In a streaming age, 60 Minutes reminds us that strong journalism, deep profile pieces, and investigative reporting still matter. It also adapts to modern news cycles and hot topics.
How to Watch / Catch Up
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Streaming Support: Many of these shows are available on Paramount+, either concurrently or shortly after airing.
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CBS App / On Demand: Some content is available on the CBS app or via on-demand platforms.
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Weekly Schedule: Use CBS’s fall 2025 schedule to keep track—some shows move time slots.
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Marathon/Binge Strategy: Shows with serialized arcs (e.g. Matlock, Tracker, Watson) benefit from binge-viewing; lighter episodic shows (e.g. Ghosts, Elsbeth) suit casual weekly watching.
Conclusion
If you’re diving into the current CBS lineup, this top-10 list gives you a map to the network’s strongest offerings in October 2025. From the pulse-pounding suspense of Tracker and Matlock, to the comforting continuity of NCIS and 60 Minutes, to genre-bending newcomers like Watson, CBS is delivering both evolution and reliability. Whether you want crime, comedy, drama, or mystery—there’s a hit waiting for you.
