📺 CBS 2025-26 Schedule: What You Need to Know
The CBS 2025-26 primetime schedule is finally here—and it’s clear the network isn’t just playing it safe. CBS is doubling down on its most reliable brands, creating powerhouse nights around the hit ‘FBI’ and ‘NCIS’ franchises. If you’re into crime procedurals, edge-of-your-seat investigations, and high-stakes drama, CBS is making your Monday and Tuesday nights unmissable.
So what’s changing? What’s staying the same? Let’s break down CBS’s bold new approach, night by night, and what it means for your favorite shows.
🔥 Mondays Belong to the ‘FBI’ Franchise
The Full FBI Block: A Strategic Power Move
CBS is going all-in with a full-throttle ‘FBI’ block on Mondays. This means viewers will get three straight hours of the FBI franchise—a rare programming flex in today’s fragmented TV landscape.
Why It Works: Familiarity Meets Franchise Power
Think of it like this: if one episode of FBI is like a strong cup of coffee, then Monday nights are a triple shot espresso. Viewers who love one will likely stick around for all three. It’s a smart retention strategy—stacking hit after hit to reduce audience drop-off.
Here’s What Monday Looks Like:
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8 PM ET – FBI
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9 PM ET – FBI: International
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10 PM ET – FBI: Most Wanted
Each series offers a different flavor of federal investigations—from the core team in New York to overseas missions and high-stakes fugitive chases. This variety keeps the lineup fresh, even within the same franchise universe.
🕵️ Tuesdays are Locked and Loaded with ‘NCIS’
‘NCIS’ Tuesdays: A Network Staple Reinforced
CBS is treating Tuesday nights with just as much love, making them the official home of NCIS.
The Lineup:
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8 PM ET – NCIS
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9 PM ET – NCIS: Origins
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10 PM ET – NCIS: Hawai’i
This is where legacy meets fresh blood. Longtime viewers get their fix of classic NCIS drama, while the spinoffs, especially NCIS: Origins, give newer audiences something to latch onto.
🔁 ‘NCIS: Origins’ Adds Fresh Energy
Young Gibbs, Big Risks
NCIS: Origins is more than just a prequel—it’s a bet on nostalgia and character-driven storytelling. We go back to Gibbs’ early days, exploring how he became the stoic, gut-trusting leader we all know. This offers fans deeper lore, while appealing to a younger generation of viewers unfamiliar with early 2000s NCIS.
Why This Could Be CBS’s New Golden Ticket
Think Better Call Saul to Breaking Bad—a spinoff that doesn’t just live in the shadow of its predecessor but expands the universe in meaningful ways. That’s the play here.
🌍 CBS Isn’t Just Repeating the Past—It’s Building a Universe
Procedural Crossovers Could Be the Next Big Thing
Here’s the kicker—CBS has now set up two interconnected nights of crime franchises. That opens the door for crossover events.
Imagine a fugitive from FBI: Most Wanted crossing paths with the NCIS: Hawai’i team. Or a case that starts in NCIS: Origins echoing decades later in NCIS. These aren’t just standalone shows anymore—they’re becoming parts of something bigger.
📊 The Strategy Behind the Schedule
Why CBS Is Playing It Smart in 2025
While streaming platforms focus on binge-worthy, short-season content, CBS knows that audience loyalty is gold. Weekly procedural dramas bring in consistent ratings. They don’t rely on cliffhangers to retain viewers—they rely on formula, character, and reliability.
CBS is Essentially Saying: “If it works, double down.”
Both FBI and NCIS have proven to be franchise machines. In a world where most new shows fail after one season, CBS is building long-term ecosystems.
🎯 Targeting Core Demographics
CBS Knows Its Audience—and Isn’t Apologizing for It
The network’s focus remains on viewers 35 and up, particularly those who enjoy structured storytelling with resolution by the end of each episode. These viewers are loyal, consistent, and still watch live TV—exactly who advertisers want to reach.
💡 What About the Other Nights?
While Mondays and Tuesdays steal the spotlight, CBS still has more tricks up its sleeve for the rest of the week:
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Wednesdays: Reality and competition programming like Survivor and The Amazing Race
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Thursdays: Comedy blocks and new dramas (still to be announced)
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Fridays: More procedurals like Blue Bloods and SWAT
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Sundays: A mix of news, scripted shows, and sports programming
🚀 ‘FBI’ and ‘NCIS’ Lead a Broader Strategy
CBS Wants Franchise Nights to Be Appointment Viewing
In the age of skipping intros and binge fatigue, CBS is banking on the power of “appointment television.” This strategy keeps audiences engaged weekly, sparks live discussions, and prevents spoilers from ruining the fun.
🤝 The Importance of Cast Chemistry and Familiar Faces
Let’s be honest—part of why we keep tuning in isn’t just the cases. It’s the people solving them. Whether it’s the stern wisdom of Gibbs or the dogged resolve of Jubal Valentine, CBS characters feel like familiar friends.
Franchise loyalty is about more than branding—it’s emotional attachment.
📉 Will Streaming Compete With This Lineup?
CBS Plays the Long Game While Streaming Churns
While streaming services push for buzzy content, CBS is focused on long-term viewing habits. The network still offers streaming access via Paramount+, but its bread and butter remains the primetime audience tuning in week after week.
🎬 What This Means for Future Programming
If the FBI/NCIS model proves successful again in 2025-26, expect CBS to:
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Launch even more spinoffs
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Expand crossover specials
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Possibly test this franchise-block model with other genres (comedy, legal dramas, etc.)
🌟 Why This Is Bigger Than Just a TV Schedule
CBS is Creating a Primetime Ritual
Think about it: families used to gather around the TV at the same time every week. With this kind of consistent scheduling, CBS is reviving that tradition. In a chaotic, on-demand world, that kind of consistency is powerful.
📺 Final Thoughts: CBS Doubles Down On What Works
The 2025-26 CBS schedule isn’t just a reshuffling of primetime hours—it’s a declaration of what CBS values:
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Franchise loyalty
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Weekly storytelling
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Familiar faces with fresh angles
With FBI owning Mondays and NCIS ruling Tuesdays, CBS is making its priorities clear. And honestly? It’s a bet that makes sense.
In the TV world, familiarity isn’t boring—it’s comforting. And CBS is the comfort food of television right now: always there, always reliable, and surprisingly addictive.
❓ FAQs
1. Why did CBS group all FBI shows on Monday nights?
CBS wants to create franchise loyalty by giving fans back-to-back episodes of the same universe. It’s a smart way to retain viewers across the full primetime block.
2. What’s new about ‘NCIS: Origins’?
NCIS: Origins is a prequel centered on a younger version of Gibbs. It explores his early years in the agency, giving longtime fans deeper backstory and emotional layers.
3. Are there any crossover episodes planned between FBI and NCIS?
While none have been officially confirmed, the new lineup makes crossover events easier to pull off. Expect surprises.
4. How can I stream CBS shows if I miss them live?
All CBS shows are available for next-day streaming on Paramount+, CBS’s official platform. Select episodes may also appear on Pluto TV or through On-Demand.
5. Is this schedule permanent for the whole 2025-26 season?
TV schedules often adjust mid-season, especially around holidays or event specials. However, franchise blocks like these usually remain stable unless ratings dip significantly.
