Fans hoping to ring in the new year with fresh episodes of NCIS will have to wait a little longer. Despite a dramatic cliffhanger at the end of episode nine, CBS has officially delayed new episodes of Season 23 until February 24. The reason? The network’s programming strategy around the Winter Olympics, which has prompted CBS to take a longer midseason break rather than air episodes inconsistently.
While NBC, ABC, and Fox will continue rolling out new installments of their serialized dramas in January, CBS is opting for stability over speed. When NCIS does return, viewers can expect a focused and emotional storyline, beginning with episode 10, titled “The Choice.” Though the wait may feel frustrating, the extended pause suggests the network is confident the back half of the season will deliver a stronger, uninterrupted run.
