We’re at the end of the year, which means we’re looking back at the most popular TV shows and programs of 2019. NCIS takes up almost a quarter of the list!
We all know that NCIS is popular. It’s the most popular scripted show now on CBS with The Big Bang Theory ending in May 2019. Just how popular was it throughout the whole of 2019 compared to so many sports fixtures, awards shows, and more?
Variety has given us the 100 most popular shows in 2019. What’s certainly interesting is that NCIS takes up 23% of the list. Out of the 24 episodes that aired in 2019 (covering both Seasons 16 and 17), 23 of them have appeared on the list!
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The most popular was “She,” the Season 16 episode that introduced the idea that Ziva really was still alive out there somewhere. We all suspected it deep down, but this was the episode that Bishop for the confirmation that she was out there, in hiding to protect her family. More importantly, it planted the possibility for Ziva’s return in the Season 16 finale. It sits in 34th place out of all TV telecasts throughout the year, with 17,562 million viewers
It honestly shouldn’t be that surprising that NCIS Season 17’s premiere was the second most-watched episode of the crime drama. It sits in 38th place, so not all that far behind “She.” “Out of the Darkness” ended up pulling in just short of 17 million viewers, with the second episode of the two-parter in 43rd place on the entire list (third out of all NCIS episodes of 2019).
Surprisingly, the episode that is missing is “The North Pole,” which saw Ziva return once more and Gibbs have to make a difficult decision to save her life. In terms of Live + Same Day ratings, the episode was viewed more than previous episode “IRL,” but the Variety list takes Live+7 into account, which could mean that not as many have watched it on DVR due to the holiday season.
NCIS isn’t the only TV crime drama on the list. Blue Bloods‘ Feb. 1 episode came in 97th place. However, it’s clear that NCIS is dominating the genre. Is that really surprising with the show’s writers still keeping us on our toes and only bringing characters back when there’s a genuine storyline for them?
What do you think of the list of most-watched shows in 2019? Are you surprised to see the NCIS Season 17 winter finale not on the list? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
NCIS Season 17 returns with all-new episodes on Jan. 7 at 8/7c on CBS.