We are in the period of the long winter break, and for some shows, the break is longer than others. NCIS: Origins season 2 aired its fall finale on Tuesday, Dec. 9, and we’re going more than two months without new episodes.
That’s right; while a bunch of shows will return in January 2026, NCIS: Origins season 2 will not. CBS has opted to hold back all of its current shows until February, and while this decision initially seems disappointing, there is some good news behind it.
NCIS: Origins season 2 will return in February 2026
As we previously shared, NCIS: Origins season 2 won’t return until February 2026. That’s Tuesday, Feb. 24 to be exact. It will return at 9/8c, sandwiched between NCIS and NCIS: Sydney.
The decision is a strategic one on CBS’s part. With the Winter Olympics taking over the air waves throughout most of February on NBC, CBS doesn’t want to compete with that. It’s not a good idea to go up against a major sporting event like this. So, the shows will return after the break.
But couldn’t we get some episodes in January and then have a break for the Olympics? That’s the way ABC, NBC, and FOX are all handling things, but not CBS. Rather than a few episodes and then another long-ish break, CBS has opted for consistence on the other side.
NCIS: Origins will have more consistency after the break
This is where there’s some great news. Once NCIS: Origins season 2 returns, there will be consistency. There’s no need for a break here and there in the schedule, as there are plenty of episodes to fill up the weeks until May finales. With CBS opting for early May finales for a lot of its shows in recent years, we can see something similar happening again in May 2026.
Consistency is key when it comes to a successful TV show. Viewers don’t want to wonder when there’s going to be a week off, and they don’t want to have to remember everything that happened before too often. If there isn’t consistency, they end up tuning out, and this hurts the ratings. So, CBS opting to bring the shows back in February may initially hurt, but it’s going to be so much better in the long run.
And if you don’t believe me, let’s talk Will Trent and The Rookie. Fans of those shows hated the wait until January 2025, but getting 18 episodes with minimal breaks was a power move by ABC that paid off well.
NCIS: Origins season 2 will return on Tuesday, Feb. 24 on CBS.
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