Why Wasn't NCIS On Tonight? CBS's 3 November Preemption Explained, Plus the Return Date

Switched on CBS on Tuesday night expecting NCIS and got election maps instead? You weren't alone.

The short answer

3 November 2026 was US midterm election day. CBS handed its entire primetime block, 7pm to midnight Eastern, to election coverage. So all three Tuesday shows were bumped:

• NCIS (season 24)

• NCIS: New York (season 1, the new LL COOL J and Scott Caan spin-off that premiered on 6 October)

• NCIS: Origins (season 3)

Not even reruns aired. The whole night belonged to the vote count. Which, given that the results turned out to be huge, you can kind of understand. (We broke down what the midterm results mean for culture here.)

When are they back?

Tuesday, 10 November 2026, all in their usual slots:

1. 8pm ET: NCIS, "Speechless"

2. 9pm ET: NCIS: New York, "True Love"

3. 10pm ET: NCIS: Origins, "Baila Esta Cumbia"

For Indian viewers, 8pm ET on a Tuesday is 6:30am IST on Wednesday.

One thing to know about Origins

NCIS: Origins is running a reduced 10-episode order this season, per reports, which leaves six episodes after this break. And NCIS: Sydney is lined up to take over the 10pm slot at midseason. So if Origins is your favourite, make the most of these six.

My take

Honestly, one skipped week is nothing for a franchise this old. NCIS has survived cast exits, timeslot shuffles and a whole family of spin-offs. One election night? Easy.

Frequently asked questions

Why wasn't NCIS on on 3 November 2026?

CBS gave its full primetime block to US midterm election coverage, from 7pm to midnight Eastern.

When does NCIS return?

Tuesday 10 November 2026, with a new episode titled 'Speechless' at 8pm Eastern.

When do NCIS: New York and NCIS: Origins return?

Also on 10 November: NCIS: New York with 'True Love' at 9pm and NCIS: Origins with 'Baila Esta Cumbia' at 10pm Eastern.

How many episodes does NCIS: Origins have left?

Reports say Origins has a reduced 10-episode order this season, with six episodes left after the break.

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Vishal Waghela is the Co-Founder of AltBollywood and a proud neo-generalist who refuses to pick a lane. Film, music, memes, fashion, AI, internet subcultures: if pop culture touches it, he's already three rabbit holes deep. He writes the way he lives online, loud, emotional, a little chaotic and always honest about why culture makes us feel things. Come argue with him on Instagram at @vishal.waghe1a.