CBS to Test a Third Version of ‘NCIS’ Franchise

This time next year, there might be three versions of “NCIS” on CBS.

The network is developing another possible spinoff of the hugely popular crime series the same way it did in 2009, when two special episodes of the original “NCIS” created an opening for the show that became “NCIS: Los Angeles.” This time, the special episodes â€" called a “planted spinoff” in television parlance, because it is a way to test a new show idea in plain sight â€" will revolve around a New Orleans office of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, or NCIS.

A CBS spokesman confirmed the spinoff plans, which were first reported by Deadline.com. The two-parter will be produced in February and broadcast sometime in the spring; if CBS likes what it sees, it could order “NCIS: New Orleans” or a similarly named show for the 2014-15 television season.

“The NCIS New Orleans office handles cases from Pensacola through Mississippi and Louisiana to the Texas panhandle,” CBS’s description of the potential show says. “New Orleans, with its rich setting of music, fun and debauchery, is a magnet for military personnel on leave. And with fun comes trouble. It is a natural backdrop for a unique, character-driven spinoff.”

“NCIS” itself is a spinoff of “JAG,” which was televised until 2005. According to Nielsen, “NCIS” has become bigger than its parent ever was: new episodes of the series had an average of 21 million viewers last season, enough to make it America’s most-watched entertainment TV series on any network. “NCIS: Los Angeles” was not far behind, with about 17 million viewers last season.

If CBS moves forward on a third version of “NCIS,” it risks saturating the audience â€" but its experience with another crime franchise, “C.S.I.,” might give it confidence. For nearly a decade there were three versions of “C.S.I.” on CBS â€" the first one set in Las Vegas, another in Miami and a third in New York.

CBS has since canceled the two spinoffs to make way for other series, but the original “C.S.I.” continues to perform strongly for the network.