CBS is kicking off 2025 with a powerhouse slate of returning fan favorites. The network has officially announced the winter premiere dates for 14 of its most popular shows, reaffirming its place as a staple in American television. With a schedule packed with high-performing franchises and fresh series poised to grow, CBS is clearly doubling down on consistency and audience loyalty as it charts its course for another ratings-winning year.
A Legacy of Strength, Reinforced
2024 was a banner year for CBS, celebrating massive milestones including the NCIS franchise surpassing 1,000 episodes. With viewership still thriving across many of its long-running dramas and new additions gaining momentum, the network is entering 2025 with a steady hand and bold confidence.
The newly revealed lineup showcases CBS’s commitment to its flagship franchises—particularly NCIS and FBI—as well as its growing investment in emerging hits like Tracker and Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage. These shows not only drive ratings but also reinforce CBS's brand as a go-to destination for gripping procedural dramas, heartfelt comedies, and character-driven action series.
CBS Winter 2025 Premiere Schedule
Here’s the full breakdown of what to expect and when:
January 27
NCIS – 9:00 PM
NCIS: Origins – 10:00 PM
January 28
FBI – 8:00 PM
FBI: International – 9:00 PM
FBI: Most Wanted – 10:00 PM
January 30
Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage – 8:00 PM
Ghosts – 8:30 PM
Matlock – 9:00 PM
Elsbeth – 10:00 PM
January 31
NCIS: Sydney – 8:00 PM
Fire Country – 9:00 PM
S.W.A.T. – 10:00 PM
February 16
Tracker – 8:00 PM
The Equalizer – 10:00 PM
Each of these shows will return to familiar time slots, signaling a “don’t fix what isn’t broken” strategy. CBS appears focused on stability, rewarding viewers with the reliability they’ve come to expect from the network’s prime-time lineup.
What This Means for CBS in 2025
For CBS, 2025 won’t be a year of dramatic shifts. Instead, it promises business as usual—and that’s great news for fans. By maintaining its top-performing shows in their established time slots, the network is leaning into what it does best: delivering consistent, high-quality entertainment with broad appeal.
The NCIS and FBI franchises continue to be CBS’s bread and butter, with each entry drawing in millions of loyal viewers. NCIS: Origins and NCIS: Sydney further expand the universe, offering new angles on a trusted formula. Meanwhile, Tracker, now entering its second season, is poised for breakout success, thanks in part to Justin Hartley's magnetic performance and action-packed storytelling.
Newer series like Matlock and Elsbeth also show strong potential. Their return suggests that CBS sees long-term value in these titles, and it will be interesting to watch how they evolve over the coming months.
A Diverse Slate That Reflects CBS’s Vision
The 2025 lineup reflects CBS’s strategic mix of legacy content and new experiments. Sitcoms like Ghosts and Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage offer comedic balance to the heavier procedural dramas, while shows like Fire Country and The Equalizer provide intense action with emotional depth.
This diverse programming approach is a key reason CBS has remained one of the "Big Three" networks for decades. Its ability to both honor its television roots and adapt to modern viewing preferences keeps audiences coming back.
Looking Ahead: Stability With Room to Grow
As CBS steps into the new year, its slate of 14 returning series offers something for everyone—from long-time fans of S.W.A.T. and NCIS, to viewers just discovering newer hits like Tracker. With familiar faces, engaging storylines, and reliable time slots, the network is setting itself up for another solid year of ratings success.
The path ahead is clear: CBS will continue doing what it does best—delivering must-watch television to living rooms across America. For both devoted followers and newcomers alike, 2025 promises more of the compelling content that has defined CBS for generations.
