How Is NCIS: Origins Doing In The Ratings? A Closer Look At Its Performance

For many fans of the long-running NCIS universe, you know, there's always a big question when a new show comes along: how is NCIS: Origins doing in the ratings? It's a natural thing to wonder, especially when you're invested in the stories and the characters. People want to know if their favorite new show is catching on, whether it's finding its audience, and what that might mean for its future on television, you see. This is about more than just numbers; it’s about the show's health and its ability to keep bringing us those compelling stories.

The NCIS media franchise has been around for quite some time, with the original series, NCIS, being a military police procedural that really kicked things off. That first show, with its focus on a fictional team of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, has certainly built a loyal following over the years. It’s a series that follows a highly trained group of personnel investigating all sorts of crimes with ties to the Navy or Marine Corps, you know, and it has featured familiar faces like Sean Murray, David McCallum, Mark Harmon, and Brian Dietzen, among others.

Now, NCIS: Origins comes into this established world as a prequel, giving us a look back at the earlier days of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. This new series, starring Austin Stowell as a younger Gibbs, has certainly generated a lot of buzz. So, with all that in mind, it's pretty important to understand how this fresh installment is performing when it comes to attracting viewers and keeping them engaged, wouldn't you say?

Table of Contents

• Understanding the NCIS Universe
• NCIS: Origins – The New Chapter
• Initial Viewership Numbers
• Current Performance and Trends
• Looking Ahead: Season 2 and Beyond
• Online Popularity and Audience Engagement
• Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding the NCIS Universe

The NCIS world, you know, is quite a big one. It all started with NCIS, which is basically a police procedural drama. It centers on a fictional group of special agents from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. These folks are tasked with conducting criminal investigations, and they really get into all sorts of cases. The original series, you see, has been a cornerstone for a long time, and it has truly set the stage for everything that has come after it, apparently.

The show, which follows the Major Case Response Team (MCRT) from the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, has consistently drawn in a large audience. For instance, the original NCIS opened its Season 22 with about 6.4 million viewers and a 0.4 rating in the key demographic. That’s pretty much on par with its previous averages, so it shows a steady viewership base. This kind of consistent performance from the flagship show helps give us a benchmark when we think about how other parts of the franchise are doing, you know?

Beyond the main series, there have been other stories, like the one involving Tony & Ziva. That particular espionage spinoff, which brings Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo back together for Paramount+, just shows how much interest there is in expanding these character arcs. The success of these related projects helps paint a picture of the overall strength of the NCIS brand, which is pretty significant, wouldn't you say?

NCIS: Origins – The New Chapter

NCIS: Origins, as a new addition, is a prequel series to the original NCIS. It takes us back in time to explore the early career of Leroy Jethro Gibbs. Austin Stowell plays this younger version of Gibbs, giving fans a chance to see how the character became the person we know from the main series. This kind of origin story is often very appealing to long-time viewers, as it fills in gaps and adds more depth to the overall narrative, you know?

The show is a CBS drama, and its arrival was something many people were looking forward to. Prequels, in a way, have a unique challenge. They need to stand on their own while also connecting strongly to the established story that came before them. This means they have to attract both new viewers and keep the interest of existing fans who might have very specific ideas about the characters and their past, which is a bit of a balancing act, really.

The premise of Origins, focusing on the beginnings of a character as central as Gibbs, naturally creates a lot of curiosity. It's about seeing the formative experiences that shaped him, and that can be a powerful draw. So, the question of how many people are tuning in becomes quite important for a series like this, which is trying to build its own identity within a much larger and very successful universe, as a matter of fact.

Initial Viewership Numbers

When NCIS: Origins first came out, its debut performance in terms of ratings was certainly something people watched closely. The show started with about five million viewers, and it also had a 0.3 demo rating. This kind of number gives us a first look at how many people were curious enough to tune in for the very first episode. It’s like a first impression, you know, for a new show trying to make its mark.

To put that into a bit of context, that debut number was just slightly lower than what the main NCIS series typically brings in. For example, as we mentioned, the original NCIS opened its Season 22 with 6.4 million viewers and a 0.4 rating. So, while Origins had a strong start, it wasn't quite at the same level as the long-running flagship show. This is pretty common for new shows, especially prequels, as they build their audience over time, you know?

It's also worth noting that these initial numbers were compared to other shows in the franchise, like NCIS: Hawaii’s same-day ratings from its third season. This comparison helps give a broader picture of how Origins fits into the overall performance of the NCIS family of shows. A debut of five million viewers is, in some respects, a solid start for a new series, even if it's not the top performer right out of the gate, wouldn't you say?

Current Performance and Trends

Looking at its ongoing performance, NCIS: Origins has shown some interesting trends. As of a recent check, it's currently ranked as the 15th most popular show on CBS. When you look at all of television, it stands at the 47th spot overall. This means it's doing pretty well on its home network, and it's certainly visible across the broader TV landscape, which is good to see, you know?

The show is being watched by a total number of 1,973,000 people, and that translates to a 0.62% rating. What's interesting about this figure is that it was up by 2% from the week before. This kind of week-over-week growth, even if it's just a little, can be a positive sign. It suggests that the show might be gaining some momentum or, at least, holding onto its audience, you know, which is always a good thing for a series trying to establish itself.

However, there have been some ups and downs, as is often the case with television shows. In a ratings list put together by TV Line, it was noted that NCIS: Origins reached an audience low as the show got closer to its midseason finale. This reduced viewership is, arguably, a bit concerning. It means that while the show started strong, it might have lost some viewers along the way, which is a challenge many shows face as their first season progresses, you know?

Understanding these fluctuations is pretty important. A dip in viewership, especially nearing a midseason break, can sometimes make networks a bit nervous. It makes you wonder what factors might be contributing to these changes in audience numbers. Perhaps it's competition from other shows, or maybe viewers are catching up through other means, but the raw numbers certainly tell a story of a show that has seen its audience shift a bit since its debut, you know?

Looking Ahead: Season 2 and Beyond

Despite some of the recent dips in viewership, there's some very good news for fans of NCIS: Origins. The show was actually renewed for a second season back in February 2025. This is a pretty big deal, as it shows that CBS has confidence in the series and its ability to continue telling compelling stories. A renewal, you know, means the network sees enough potential to invest further in the show's future, which is always a positive sign for any television program, wouldn't you say?

The second season of NCIS: Origins is set to debut on October 14, 2025. This gives fans a clear date to look forward to, and it also gives the production team time to craft new episodes. Knowing that a second season is coming can also help stabilize viewership, as people are more likely to invest their time in a show they know isn't going to be suddenly canceled. It creates a sense of security for the audience, you know, which is rather important.

The decision to renew the show, even with some viewership fluctuations, suggests that the network might be looking at more than just same-day live ratings. They could be considering delayed viewing, streaming numbers, or the overall value of the NCIS brand. So, while the immediate numbers might have had some lower points, the long-term outlook for NCIS: Origins seems quite promising, at least for now, you know, with a second season already confirmed.

Online Popularity and Audience Engagement

Beyond traditional viewership numbers, how a show performs online can also tell us a lot about its popularity and how engaged its audience is. An "engagement score" is a way to measure online audience activity, and it gives us a different perspective on a show's reach. For NCIS: Origins, its online presence is also something to consider when we talk about its overall performance, you know?

As of Tuesday, July 15, 2025, NCIS: Origins was ranked as the #404 most popular show online. This number, while perhaps not as high as some might expect, still indicates a level of online presence and discussion. It means people are searching for it, talking about it, and engaging with its content in the digital space. Online popularity, you know, can be a good indicator of buzz and fan interest, even if it doesn't always directly translate to live TV ratings.

The IMDb rating for the show, which is weighted to help keep it reliable, also contributes to this picture of online engagement. People often check IMDb for reviews and ratings before watching a show, so a good score there can encourage new viewers. This kind of online activity, from discussions to ratings, shows that there's a community around NCIS: Origins that is actively thinking about and interacting with the show, which is a good sign for its longevity, in a way. You can learn more about the broader NCIS universe on our site, too.

So, while the traditional ratings tell one part of the story, the online engagement metrics add another layer. They show that even if live viewership has its ups and downs, there's still a dedicated audience that is following the show and discussing it. This combined view gives us a more complete picture of how NCIS: Origins is truly doing, you know, in the larger scheme of things.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NCIS: Origins renewed for another season?

Yes, it is! NCIS: Origins was renewed for a second season back in February 2025. The new season is actually set to debut on October 14, 2025, so fans have a specific date to look forward to. This decision shows confidence from the network in the show's future, you know, which is pretty exciting for everyone who enjoys the series.

How did NCIS: Origins perform in its debut?

When NCIS: Origins first premiered, it debuted with about five million viewers. It also achieved a 0.3 demo rating. This initial performance gave the show a solid start, though it was just a little bit down from what the main NCIS series typically brings in for its premieres, you know, but it was still a respectable number for a brand new show.

How does NCIS: Origins compare to the original NCIS?

In its debut, NCIS: Origins had slightly lower numbers than the original NCIS. For example, the main NCIS series opened its Season 22 with 6.4 million viewers and a 0.4 rating. So, while Origins started strong with five million viewers and a 0.3 demo rating, it was just a little bit below the established flagship show's performance. You can find more details about how these shows compare on this page, you know, for a deeper look.

For more detailed information on television ratings and how they are compiled, you might want to check out resources like a trusted TV ratings site, which often provides breakdowns of viewership data, you know, for many different shows.