Think back to September 2003 and what the CBS schedule looked like. Tuesdays started with a series that we still loyally watch to this day. NCIS was a huge success, kicking off Tuesdays in style for almost 20 years. Things took a turn when the FBI Night was created, but CBS is making a change in the fall of 2025 that feels very early 2000s.
NCIS season 23 will air on Tuesdays starting in the fall, and that’s not all. The entire night will be dedicated to this franchise with NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney, and now FBI is on the move as it loses two shows within its franchise. This is exciting news for those of us who still aren’t quite used to the MCRT team being on a different, and it could help to boost the linear ratings for the entire NCIS universe a little more.
NCIS Season 23 Is Moving From Monday To Tuesday Nights
Tuesday Night Will Be NCIS Night
Wilmer Valderrama’s Nick Torres and Katrina Law’s Jessica Knight sitting at an interrogation table in NCIS
As mentioned, after the success of NCIS season 22 and the growing franchise, NCIS is moving back to Tuesdays. It has aired on Mondays at 9 p.m. ET/PT since 2021, something that shocked many when CBS made that announcement. For the last four years, it just hasn’t been the same watching it, especially for those having to choose between this series and Monday Night Football.
It means NCIS season 23 is reclaiming not just a former night, but also a former timeslot, making many happy.
FBI had three successful shows airing in the fall, so CBS made Tuesdays all about this franchise. However, with FBI dropping to just two shows and NCIS having three, the blocks are switching, with FBI Night now on Mondays and NCIS Night taking over Tuesdays. It means NCIS season 23 is reclaiming not just a former night, but also a former timeslot, making many happy. The only thing that would make it better would be if NCIS: Hawai’i was still on the air to be able to join the flagship and other shows.
NCIS Originally Aired On Tuesday Nights From 2003 To 2021
NCIS Moving To Mondays Was A Huge Shock
Nobody expected CBS to move NCIS out of its Tuesday night slot when it did. The series had held the Tuesday 8 p.m. ET/PT timeslot from its very beginning in 2003, quickly proving that it was a popular series and one to keep on the air for as long as possible. While the linear ratings had declined, that was understandable considering how old the series is. The way people viewed TV was starting to change, and networks expected legacy shows to start seeing a drop in live viewership.
Yet, the linear ratings were still strong, so the change of night wasn’t expected. FBI sat nestled between two NCIS shows at first, and then it moved to NCIS kicking off a night of FBI drama. It was only when FBI: International joined the mix that things had to change within the schedule. Mondays were competitive thanks to Monday Night Football, and CBS likely noted that the iconic show was the one in the lineup that could weather the storm the best.
Why CBS Moved NCIS Back To Its Original Release Day
NCIS Tuesdays Just Make Sense
The initial switch was understandable, though, as networks looked to create franchise nights. With the success of One Chicago Wednesdays and Law & Order Thursdays on NBC, CBS opted to create FBI Tuesdays due to three shows in the franchise airing in fall 2021. Despite NCIS also having three shows airing at the time, NCIS: Los Angeles took the Sunday night slot, and so Mondays went to NCIS with two shows after the comedy block.
While CBS hasn’t stated anything official about the decision to switch things around for the fall 2025 schedule, it looks like it is due to the number of shows within the two franchises. With FBI down a couple of shows, the new CIA series, and NCIS having three with NCIS: Sydney moving from midseason to the fall, it makes sense to flip the two schedules again as Mondays will still start off with a comedy block.
The NCIS linear ratings have also dropped considerably since the move to Mondays, while FBI has continued to perform strongly on Tuesdays. As Monday Night Football continues, CBS will want to find the strongest shows to hold up against the sport, and now FBI has become that series, giving another good reason for CBS to make the switch.
