CBS renews top-rated drama 'NCIS' for 9th season

[February 03, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Television's top-rated scripted series, "NCIS," will be back this fall for a ninth season.

CBS says it's renewing the drama that stars Mark Harmon and an ensemble cast including Michael Weatherly, Rocky Carroll and Pauley Perrette.

"NCIS" has climbed steadily in the ratings since its 2003 debut, with this week's episode drawing the show's biggest audience ever, nearly 23 million viewers.

"NCIS" is a spinoff of the action-legal drama "JAG." It has proved popular in TV markets worldwide, which CBS and CBS Studio executives called a tribute to the series' compelling stories that combine intrigue and humor.

[Associated Press]

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