CBS Renews NCIS for Season 9

CBS has renewed NCISfor Season 9, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler announced Wednesday.

Ratings: NCIS sets yet another series high

Following a series-high 22.85 million viewers on Tuesday, star Mark Harmon signed a two-year contract that would also name him an executive producer on the CBS series, Deadline.com reports. With Harmon on board, NCIS becomes to first CBS drama to get renewed for next season.

"It's simply amazing that a show in its eighth season continues to perform at such an elite level," Tassler said. "This is a tribute to the hard work of its talented writers, producers and cast for bringing to life such compelling stories and characters with intrigue and humor. The quality of the storytelling is also evident by the series' incredibly devoted fan base who we thank for their passion and commitment to NCIS on CBS, in online communities and around the world." 

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In its eighth season, NCIS averages 19.6 million viewers, making it the No. 1 scripted drama for the second year in a row.

NCIS premiered in 2003-2004 as a spin-off of JAG. Since its debut, the show's ratings progressively climbed, becoming a top 10 program in its fifth season — 2007-08. Ratings continued to rise, finishing 2008-2009 ranked fifth among prime-time programs. Last season, NCIS ranked fourth overall.