RENEWAL ALERT: NCIS

In a no-brainer announcement, CBS has officially renewed the hit drama NCIS for the 2011-2012 season. The most watched scripted show, NCIS has averaged 20.1 million viewers and a 4.1 in the demo. Last night, it hit a season and series high 22.8 million viewers. Only the unscripted powerhouse American Idol can top it in total viewers even though it skews old. Next season will be its ninth and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, it is getting a significantly higher total viewer number than its first season in 2003-2004 when it averaged 11-12 million viewers. CBS actually signed series star Mark Harmon to a two year extension ensuring the show will be on at least two more years though it was only officially renewed for one.

This is the third CBS show to get an early renewal, joining hit comedies Two and a Half Men and The Big Bang Theory. Many other renewals will come for CBS's successful lineup with the most obvious renewals being The Mentalist, NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, How I Met Your Mother, and CSI. Other likely renewals include Mike & Molly, Hawaii Five-0, Blue Bloods, and The Good Wife. On the fence for renewal or in danger of being cancelled are CSI: NY, CSI: Miami, The Defenders, Rules of Engagement, and $#*! My Dad Says. Still to premiere this spring are Mad Love, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior, and Chaos.