In today’s streaming-first world, where Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video dominate headlines, it might seem like traditional broadcast television is fighting a losing battle. Yet one network continues to defy the odds week after week: CBS.
Instead of tearing up the playbook, CBS has leaned into its strength—building sprawling, interconnected franchises that feed off brand loyalty and nostalgia. With The Big Bang Theory and NCIS at the center of its empire, CBS has proven that spin-offs aren’t just extensions of a show—they’re entire universes. The result? Consistently sky-high ratings that make the network the envy of an industry obsessed with reinvention.
The audience has spoken with its remotes and streaming queues alike: they don’t just want fresh content. They want familiar worlds, beloved characters, and stories that feel like home.
The Sitcom That Refuses to Fade: The Big Bang Theory Universe
When The Big Bang Theory wrapped in 2019 after 12 seasons, industry insiders assumed it would join the ranks of other comfort comedies—reliable in syndication, but unlikely to spark new stories. CBS, however, had other plans.
The show’s prequel, Young Sheldon, proved to be more than a spin-off. It became a multi-generational phenomenon in its own right, transforming the quirky backstory of Sheldon Cooper into a heartfelt single-camera family comedy. By shifting formats, CBS expanded the brand while staying true to the heart of the original.
The results? Ratings gold. Young Sheldon dominated its time slot for years and became one of the most-watched comedies in America. Its success was so undeniable that CBS recently greenlit a sequel spin-off following Sheldon’s brother Georgie and his wife Mandy.
What started as a simple sitcom has evolved into an ever-growing sitcom universe, mirroring the kind of expansion usually reserved for superhero franchises.
The Procedural Blueprint: The Unstoppable NCIS Empire
While The Big Bang Theory shows the potential of comedic expansion, the NCIS universe remains CBS’ crown jewel. What began as a JAG spin-off two decades ago blossomed into one of the most successful television franchises in history.
The original NCIS not only remains a ratings powerhouse but has spawned a family tree of successful offspring: NCIS: Los Angeles, NCIS: New Orleans, NCIS: Hawai’i, and the newest international offshoot, NCIS: Sydney. Each spinoff has taken the familiar formula—naval crimes, a mix of grit and humor, and a team-as-family dynamic—and reinvented it in new settings.
CBS has mastered the art of the “backdoor pilot,” introducing characters in one series before launching them into another. This approach guarantees a built-in audience and dramatically reduces the risk of failure. Where other networks gamble on untested premises, CBS banks on loyalty.
Why the Franchise Model Works
The success of CBS’ franchises rests on three key pillars:
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Built-in audiences. Instead of starting from scratch, new spin-offs inherit fans already emotionally invested in the world.
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Familiar yet fresh storytelling. Each spin-off tweaks the formula just enough—new settings, new tones, or new character focuses—without alienating the core audience.
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Comfort viewing. In an uncertain world, fans crave shows that feel reliable. CBS delivers on that promise week after week.
As one CBS executive recently put it, “You don’t walk away from a hit. You build on it.”
The Future: More Spin-Offs, More Universes
The writing is on the wall: CBS isn’t slowing down. The Georgie-and-Mandy sequel keeps the Big Bang universe alive, while whispers of additional NCIS projects—including potential streaming movies—signal that the franchise still has plenty of fuel.
It’s a strategy that positions CBS not just as a survivor of the streaming wars but as a leader redefining how linear TV can thrive in the modern era. By leaning into what fans already love, CBS has created a self-sustaining cycle of hits.
The Bottom Line
In an industry often obsessed with reinvention, CBS is asking a simple question: Why reinvent the wheel when you already have the winning formula?
By doubling down on its mega-franchises—The Big Bang Theory and NCIS—the network has built empires that thrive across broadcast, syndication, and streaming. It’s proof that audiences still crave connection, familiarity, and loyalty over constant novelty.
For CBS, the future isn’t about chasing the next trend. It’s about expanding the universes people already love—and as the ratings show, viewers can’t get enough.
