There are still some great crime dramas on CBS on the bubble, but there are others with fates known. Many CBS crime dramas are heading back for the 2025–2026 season, and we’re taking a look at which ones they are.
A total of nine shows were renewed together, and a total of five of them were crime dramas. We also already knew that one crime drama would come back as it got a multi-season renewal last year, and another got an early renewal thanks to some strong initial ratings.
The NCIS franchise continues
All three current NCIS shows have scored new seasons. NCIS season 23’s renewal was not a surprise at all. It remains the most popular show on in the franchise and it is a strong contender up against Monday Night Football in the fall.
NCIS: Origins wasn’t all that much of a surprise either. While the ratings aren’t as good as NCIS: Hawaii, there's a chance that this series is performing well via streaming. There is a loyal fanbase when it comes to Gibbs's story.
The big surprise renewal was NCIS: Sydney, but that’s because it had only just started its second season. We expected a few more episodes before it was renewed. It's also not performed that well in the linear ratings, but this is a joint venture with Australia, which helps to keep some of the running costs down and allows for more risk.
Only one FBI has made it through
Tuesdays are going to look very different in the 2025–2026 season. Only one of the FBI shows has made it through, although there are eyes on the spin-off series CIA. FBI season 8 was confirmed last season, as this was the show that got a three-season renewal, so we are guaranteed up to season 9 at the very least.
Will we get more than this? That remains to be seen right now. The TV landscape is changing right now, and we can’t really predict what’s to come in a few years.
Thursday nights could look the same
Like Mondays, Thursdays don’t look like they’ll be changing any time soon. The two crime dramas that air on this night have both been renewed. Matlock landed a second season early on after a strong start due to a special airing on a Sunday night after a football game.
Elsbeth has been performing well on Thursdays in that last slot of the night. CBS was happy enough to give it a third season, keeping this show off the bubble this year.
Tracker is the only Sunday show renewed so far
Finally, we have Tracker. Unsurprisingly, the Justin Hartley series has been renewed for a third season. This show is performing well linearly on Sunday nights, even with the premptions during football season. It’s just come back from a long break, and it still is a popular show with Sunday night viewers.
We’re now waiting to see how The Equalizer negotiations go. Out of the Sunday shows, this is the one we’re most concerned about.
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