NCIS: Tony & Zivahas started off strong by breaking records with its first trailer, but theNCISspinoff’s biggest change is set to be a massive risk despite the show’s growing anticipation.NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s storywill follow the iconicNCISpairing as they work hard to protect their daughter from threats in Europe. The show’s format will already divert fromNCIS' usual structure by focusing on a pairing rather than a team, but it will also shake up theNCISfranchise in a major way.
The upcoming Tony and Ziva spinoff comes from a growing trend of expansionin theNCISuniverseas the franchise has also introducedNCIS: SydneyandNCIS: Originsin recent years. With each new spinoff,NCIShas also been slowly growing, first with further satellite offices, and then narratively with deeper character analyses.NCIS: Tony & Zivamay even beNCIS' most unique show yet, but even with all the potential that the show has, it also carries a major risk for the franchise.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Will Be The First NCIS Spinoff To Not Air On Television
WhileNCIS: Tony & Zivawill diverge fromNCIS' typical procedural format, its biggest change is actually in how to watch the show. So far, all ofNCIS' spinoffs have premiered exclusively on live television, with the shows being transferred to online streaming services after the fact. However,NCIS: Tony & Zivawill be the first show to not air on television at all. Instead,NCIS: Tony & Zivawill be exclusively available to stream on Paramount+.
In addition toNCIS: Tony & Ziva’s new home,Paramount+ is not available in every country around the world. While people in different countries can pay for a Paramount+ subscription, the movies and shows available in each version of the service can differ. No information has been released yet whetherNCIS: Tony & Zivawill be available to watch in every version of Paramount+, but either way, its move to streaming is a significant change from its predecessors.
Being On Streaming Can Limit NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s Viewership
NCIS Is A Network Franchise
NCIS: Tony & Ziva’s move to streaming could work out great for the spinoff, but it also holds a lot of risks. For one thing,NCISis a widely known network franchise. It has a strong connection to CBS and has typically attracted viewers who watch routine television. As such, the franchise’s usual marketing is based on it being a network franchise.NCIS: Tony & Zivaswitches things up by not airing on television at all, which could push viewers away becauseNCIS' marketing tactics are not guaranteed to work forNCIS: Tony & Ziva.
NCIShas also typically attracted a much wider audience because it is available internationally on television.
NCIShas also typically attracted a much wider audience because it is available internationally on television. However, the benefits of airing on cable television go further. Cable television has different appeals than streaming. With cable, viewers can stumble upon shows and grow to love them when they had previously never heard about them. In contrast, viewers have to know what they want to watch when they watch shows on streaming services. This could be another obstacle forNCIS: Tony & Zivabecausestreaming has the potential to act as a limitation.
How NCIS: Tony & Ziva Can Ensure Its Success Despite Being A Streaming Series
NCIS: Tony & Ziva Has To Start Strong
NCIS: Tony & Zivaairing exclusively on streaming does not mean that the show is doomed to receive lower ratings. It just means that theNCISspinoff needs to start strong from the beginning.NCIS: Tony & Zivaneeds to be catchy from the premiereto encourage Paramount+ users to keep watching it, while also encouraging old Tony and Ziva fans to think buying a subscription is worthwhile.
Fortunately,NCIS: Tony & Zivaalready has a massive fan base simply because Tony and Ziva are some of the most iconicNCIScharacters, but that popularity may not be enough to sustain the spinoff in the long term. That is why the show needs to start strong and maintain interesting storylines to grow its fan base beyondNCIS. In addition,NCISseason 23could also refer to the couple to generate some interest through the network and help ensureNCIS: Tony & Ziva’s success.
NCIS: Tony & Ziva
Cast
NCIS: Tony & Ziva follows former NCIS agents Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David as they navigate danger across Europe. When Tony’s security company is attacked, the pair must uncover their pursuers and rekindle their trust to secure a future together. Set to be released in 2025, the series ties together personal and professional intrigue.
