The cancellation of NCIS: Tony & Ziva highlights a growing tension in television: legacy franchises don’t always thrive on streaming platforms.
Unlike the flagship NCIS series, the spinoff lived exclusively on Paramount+. While it debuted strongly, viewership reportedly declined week to week — a troubling trend in an era driven by retention metrics rather than raw numbers.
Demographics may also have played a role. Reports suggest the majority of the show’s audience skewed older, a loyal but less “growth-oriented” segment for streaming services. Add in leadership changes following the Paramount–Skydance merger, and the spinoff may have simply fallen victim to shifting priorities.
The result? A beloved revival cut short, not because of fan disinterest — but because the modern TV ecosystem is less forgiving than network television once was.
