Why the Tony/Ziva NCIS Spinoff Went to Paramount+ and Not CBS
If you’re a bit jealous that Paramount+ will be the exclusive home of the new NCIS spinoff revolving around Tony and Ziva, know that the head of CBS Entertainment is, as well.
Announced on Feb. 28 as a Paramount+ original and reuniting franchise vets Michael Weatherly and Cote de Pablo on-screen for the first time since October 2013, the yet-to-be titled spinoff will follow Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they go on the run across Europe, trying to figure out who is targeting them, so that they and daughter Tali can finally have their “happily ever after.”
Filming begins this summer, on location in Europe.
That this lonnnnnng-awaited “Tiva” reunion will eventually stream on Paramount+ and not air “free” on CBS irks some fans of the primetime super-couple. And CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach feels their pain, in a sense.
Asked if she is “jealous” that the #Tiva series is bound for Paramount+ and not CBS, Reisenbach told Deadline, “Yeah, a little bit, I’m not going to lie, sure. I’m a Tiva fan like everyone else.
“But we all work together. We are all one ecosystem,” the exec added, “and I have no doubt that [the CBS prequel spinoff NCIS:] Origins and the [NCIS] shows that live on the network will drive viewers over at P+, and likewise their show will send them back our way. And that’s what matters most, that people are watching it…. It’s such a treat for the fans no matter wherever it airs.”
CBS Studios president David Stapf in turn told Deadline, “No,” there was never talk of producing the #Tiva spinoff for CBS, stressing, “it was always designed to be a streaming show.”
“Tony and Ziva, it’s one of the most unrequited love stories for the audience,” Stapf explained. “So, reuniting them with a global audience” — via Paramount+ distribution — “is the intent on that show.”
As for whether CBS might air at least the first episode of the Tony/Ziva spinoff, as America’s Most Watched Network has sometimes done with other Paramount+ originals, Stapf said that’s “a good question,” though a premature one, seeing as filming doesn’t even begin until this summer. “We haven’t dealt with it yet,” he said.
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The fact that no one comments that they will be able to do more streaming without network censors is always lost on people.
Just too busy mad it’s not free.
Unless you’re watching with an over the air antenna, then it’s not free. Everything else is pay, one way or another.
I think it’s more that they’re going to do just 10-12 episodes or so and not a full 22-episode TV season.
Doesn’t matter. Their main reason is more money, regardless of the other factors.
Something tells me it will eventually show up on CBS if only to gain eyeballs and entice NCIS viewers. Once it’s filmed and they know what kind of product they had. Like Sydney. Probably will air next summer if not sooner.
I don’t think it will. This year was a big exception because the strike forced lots of shows to be pushed back and other shows just disappeared. They had to fill the void with streaming shows. If this spinoff is a hit like Tulsa king or mayor of Kingstown. It won’t.
I’m not paying for it so I won’t be watching.
I wish it was free but I would pay to watch Weatherly (Dinozzo) on any show. I already subscribe to Paramount + and have as long as it’s been around. Tony was NCIS for me. Personally I am glad TIVA is not on NCIS and on their own. No head slaps. Hallelujah!
Streaming will allow for a more serious TV-MA experience and editing for a 2nd run on CBS.
This show deserves to be offered on the regular CBS station as one of their newly scheduled shows. By putting it on Paramount+ you are asking more people to pay for another streaming service. Very disappointed with the network.
lol. You’re funny.
Competition is about convincing people they have the best shows. What’s better than creating a spinoff with 2 favourite characters from one of their longest and (maybe) most successful show ever. It’s a good tactic.
Rarely ever works when spin offs are on a different networks, Far too many politics involved on who be be in it, who can be referenced. Their back story might even have to be changed a little as CBS own the rights to backstory. Doubt this will go for more than 1 season, that’s if it even go’s a full season. Over all though don’t get this channel where I live, so if I can watch it be down to which channels they allow distribution right to around the world.
Paramount+ is CBS’ streaming service so essentially the same thing. P+ already shows all the NCIS shows. Streaming shows usually do 8 to 12 shows for a season. They were never going to do 22 or 24. The premise of the show also doesn’t lend itself to a number of seasons so it may always have been intended as just one season. As for getting Paramount+ in your area, it is a streaming network. You just have to have internet and subscribe to it.
Don’t worry, eventually it will make its way to CBS.
Paramount + needs all of the new content it can get. I haven’t watched anything on Paramount + since Frasier ended. I would prefer this series air on CBS, but I can understand why it is not.
Over on Peacock, the only thing I am watching now is the different versions of Traitors. There isn’t much there, there, for my viewing habits. Still waiting for Poker Face to comeback.
I would watch the old mystery of series from back in the 70s as it originally aired, but Peacock doesn’t offer it. The mystery wheel included, Columbo, McMillian & Wife, Banacek, and McCloud.
Ye, Columbo is on cable right now, but it doesn’t have the original intro to the opening.
The whole Columbo series is available on Freevee (minus The NBC Mystery Movie.intro)
Easy answer…they want to force people to spend money on streaming. They also get to say and do things that they can’t on network TV. I think that’s why they moved Evil to Paramount+. But still, the main answer is forcing people to pay.
I think it’s just a way to get more people to pay for streaming services. Very disappointed
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Why put this on the worst streaming service?
Might as well not make it, not worth the price or the time subscribing to a service that’s worse than Netflix was when they first started!
So it’s being made as a streaming show, does that mean you get the entire season immediately or one episode each week? The great thing about streaming was the binge watching but if you have to wait till the season ends with one episode each week you have to work hard to avoid spoilers. So here’s hoping to an entire season at once.
I refuse to pay money for streaming. They really must not care if most fans will watch. I’ll wait a few years until it makes it to cbs.
That really stinks for people that have been waiting for them to come to NCIS or have a spin off to have to pay to stream it. I want watch it. Don’t want to spend anymore money for another streaming service. I am sure others feel that way. I never finished watching Seal Team after it left CBS. Won’t watch this!
All you have to do is wait until all the episodes drop then subscribe for a free trial period, watch everything you want to watch then drop it before you get charged.
A lot of people can’t afford to keep logging into all these TV channels. We have to pay for so as much as I love. The NCIS shows I can’t watch this one.
It’s a shame.
It’s a shame that seniors have trouble stretching their income to buy meds and food but have a television they can’t afford to pay to watch anymore! Sad sad sad!
Well to me the perfect scenario with Tony & Ziva (which I’m so excited I can’t stand) would be for Mark Harmon “Gibbs” to return as well. All originals that I believe would be THE Perfect Show again. I understand there is or was a riff between Abby & Gibbs. But, if Gibbs doesn’t come back, maybe Abby will? I watch the original NCIS every Saturday on We TV all day long as well as Wednesday.