CBS kicked off its 2026-2027 season with a strong Premiere Week (October 4-10) performance, fueled by a mix of returning hits, growing franchises, and standout new series that resonated with audiences across broadcast and streaming.

According to Nielsen's live plus seven-day multiplatform ratings among all streaming and broadcast competition, CBS placed seven of the top 10 programs of the week, led by Marshals, Tracker, 60 Minutes, NCIS, Sheriff Country, NCIS: New York, and FBI.

The network increased viewership +14% year over year, with an average of 8.63 million viewers, compared with 7.59 million viewers during Premiere Week last year (October 12-18, 2025).

Among broadcast competition, CBS claimed eight of the top 10 programs, the top two comedies, and the season's three most-watched new series: NCIS: New York, Cupertino, and Eternally Yours.

Justin Hartley in Tracker

Franchise Favorites Continue to Deliver

The network's biggest night came on Sunday, October 4 where CBS had the top three shows of the week — #1 Marshals with 15.14 million viewers, #2 Tracker with 13.86 million viewers and #3 60 Minutes remained television's top news program, drawing 10.71 million viewers.

The all-NCIS Tuesday Night Lineup also posted impressive gains, fueled in part by high-profile cast returns and additions, including Michael Weatherly's return as Tony DiNozzo Jr. on NCIS, LL COOL J and Scott Caan joining NCIS: New York, and Mark Harmon appearing on NCIS: Origins.

The flagship NCIS delivered 10.59 million viewers and its largest multiplatform audience since Nielsen began measuring streaming. New entry NCIS: New York debuted as the season's top new series with 10.25 million viewers, while NCIS: Origins grew +19% from its year-ago premiere.

Rachel Keller and Mike Colter in Cupertino

New Series Make a Strong First Impression

This season's newcomers quickly found an audience.

NCIS: New York launched as the top new broadcast series, while the critically acclaimed drama Cupertino more than doubled its live plus same-day audience through delayed viewing and encore airings, growing to 10.58 million viewers. New comedy Eternally Yours opened as the week's No. 2 comedy (only behind #1 Comedy Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage) and expanded its audience to 7.80 million viewers following encore presentations.

Emily Osment and Montana Jordan in Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage

Returning Hits Build on Existing Success

Several returning CBS favorites posted notable gains during Premiere Week as well. Sheriff Country delivered its most-watched episode ever with 10.52 million viewers, up +27% from last year's premiere. FBI increased +18% year over year and outperformed every episode from last season.

Comedy also remained a strength for the network, with Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage ranking as television's #1 comedy with 8.70 million viewers, up +11% from its year-ago premiere.

Elsewhere across the lineup, Elsbeth delivered 7.69 million viewers and grew +5% from last year’s premiere, while CIA posted +72% growth from its Live+Same Day audience and Harlan Coben's Final Twist increased +29% from its season one premiere.

Reality remained a strength for CBS, with Survivor delivering 7.94 million viewers and growing +13% year over year. The Amazing Race also posted gains, increasing +6% from last season.

On Friday night, Fire Country increased +7% from last year, while Boston Blue delivered 8.02 million viewers and performed +7% above its first-season average.

Michael Weatherly and Sean Murray in NCIS

A Strong Start to the Season  

Across returning franchises, breakout newcomers, reality favorites, and comedy standouts, CBS' Premiere Week demonstrated the depth of its lineup and the continued value of multiplatform viewing. With six series surpassing 10 million viewers, the network enters the season with momentum across every major genre.

With top 10 programs across broadcast and streaming competition, the top two comedies, and the season's three highest-rated new series, CBS is building on a strong start as the 2026-2027 season unfolds.