The absence of NCIS from CBS’s January 2026 schedule may feel frustrating, but there’s a strategic reason behind it. While other networks will bring shows back early only to pause again for the Winter Olympics, CBS is opting for a cleaner, uninterrupted run.
Season 23 left off with momentum. Parker finally learned the truth about his mother’s death, closing a deeply personal mystery. Meanwhile, the team’s attention shifted to a much bigger problem: Ellie Bishop. Last seen operating in the shadows alongside Ziva’s former handler, Bishop is now clearly on NCIS’s radar — and she knows it.
By delaying the return until February 24, CBS avoids a choppy schedule and allows the show to maintain narrative intensity through the spring. Fewer breaks mean tighter storytelling and stronger audience engagement.
In the long run, the wait may pay off — especially with a former fan-favorite poised to complicate everything.
