When it comes to executives looking to fill the schedules and win the ratings, there's nothing like a good spin-off. Think about it, CSI begat CSI: Miami begat CSI: NY (though the Floridian variation recently went to that great retirement state in the sky). But that's pure amateur-league compared to another 'initial' success...
Donald Belissario's JAG (which ran for most of a decade) helped introduce and launch spin-off NCIS in 2003, which has arguably eclipsed its parent show and become America's most popular, top-rated action drama and highest-paid syndication show. In 2009, the stable was joined by NCIS: LA, again using the format of devoting a regular episode to introduce some of the new cast (in this case, Chris O'Donnell). Now history may repeat itself gain with news from CBS that a special two-parter later in NCIS's 2012/13 season will pave the way for yet ANOTHER spin-off.
Though the latest programme doesn't yet have a formal title (we bet it'll be NCIS something!), we do know the premise: a floating task-force team of disperate agents selected to work together to solve crimes across the whole of America.. so think of this as NCIS: The Sweeney? Writer / Excutive producer Shane Brennan will steer the show.
The only fly in the ointment of the ongoing NCIS juggernaut is the ongoing dispute between Belissario and CBS as to whether the spin-offs can be counted as spin-offs from the original show or from later incarnations - a technicality that the prolific show-runner notes could cost him millions.
However, purely on a ratings-level, it seems the NCIS franchise has never been in such a strong position...
