The wait is over for fans of the Naval Criminal Investigative Service! If you're eager to catch up with Alden Parker and the team, you're in the right place. We're diving deep into Where to Watch NCIS Season 23 (Broadcast & Streaming), ensuring you don't miss a single pulse-pounding case, dramatic revelation, or unexpected twist. From network television to on-demand platforms and even options for international viewers, we've got your definitive guide to the latest chapter of television's longest-running procedural.
At a Glance: Your Quick Guide to NCIS Season 23
- U.S. Premiere Date: October 14
- New Episodes Air: Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on CBS
- Total Episodes: 12
- U.S. Streaming: Paramount+ (next-day for Essential, same-day for Premium subscribers)
- International Availability: Global TV (Canada), Paramount+ / local broadcasters (UK, Australia, etc.) typically next day.
- Key Storylines: Parker's quest for vengeance, a new NCIS Elite program, unexpected returns, and deeper dives into team members' personal lives.
Catching the Action Live: Your Broadcast Options in the U.S.
For many fans, there's nothing quite like gathering around the TV on a Tuesday night to watch NCIS as it unfolds. Season 23 has brought all the familiar thrills and new challenges, starting its run on October 14.
Every week, you can tune into CBS on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT to watch new episodes of NCIS. This prime-time slot has been the show's home for years, providing a consistent schedule for dedicated viewers. If you have a traditional cable TV subscription, an antenna for over-the-air broadcasts, or a live TV streaming service that includes CBS (like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or FuboTV), you're all set to watch new episodes in real-time.
Remember, the "ET/PT" distinction means that the episode airs simultaneously on the East and West Coasts. So, whether you're in New York or Los Angeles, 8 p.m. is your cue. If you're in the Central Time Zone, that means 7 p.m. CT, and Mountain Time viewers will catch it at 6 p.m. MT. Planning your Tuesday nights just got a little easier!
Seamless Streaming: Your On-Demand Access to NCIS Season 23
In today's TV landscape, flexibility is king. If your schedule doesn't permit live viewing, or you simply prefer to watch at your own pace, streaming is your best friend. For NCIS Season 23, the primary streaming destination in the U.S. is Paramount+.
Paramount+: Your Digital Headquarters for NCIS
Paramount+ offers two main tiers, and how quickly you can stream new NCIS episodes depends on your subscription:
- Paramount+ Essential (with ads): If you're on this plan, new episodes of NCIS Season 23 become available for streaming the next day after their CBS broadcast. This means you can catch up on Wednesday mornings, coffee in hand.
- Paramount+ Premium (ad-free with live CBS access): For those who want the ultimate flexibility, the Premium tier is the way to go. Not only do you get an ad-free experience, but you can also stream new episodes live as they air on CBS. This is a fantastic option if you're traveling or don't have traditional cable but still want to watch in sync with the broadcast. Even better, if you miss the live airing, it's immediately available on demand.
Beyond the current season, Paramount+ is also home to the extensive NCIS library, including previous seasons of the flagship show and its various spin-offs. It's truly a one-stop shop for all things NCIS.
The Global Reach: Watching NCIS Season 23 Internationally
NCIS has cultivated a massive international fanbase, and thankfully, viewers around the world have robust options for keeping up with the team.
- Canada: Canadian fans can tune into Global TV on Tuesdays, mirroring the U.S. broadcast schedule, typically starting October 14. Global TV also offers streaming options through its website or Global TV App, often making episodes available shortly after airing.
- United Kingdom: In the UK, new episodes of NCIS Season 23 typically become available the next day, starting Wednesday, October 15. This is usually through local broadcasters like Disney+ or Paramount+, depending on existing distribution agreements and previous seasons' availability. Check your local listings for the most accurate details.
- Australia: Similarly, Australian viewers can expect new episodes to arrive starting Wednesday, October 15. Channels like Network 10 (which is part of Paramount Global) often air NCIS, with streaming available on their catch-up service, 10 Play, or potentially Paramount+.
The exact timing and platform can sometimes vary by region and licensing agreements, so always a quick check of your local television guide or streaming service provider is recommended.
Unraveling the Season: What to Expect from NCIS Season 23
Season 23 is a compact yet intense ride, consisting of 12 episodes. This shorter run means every episode packs a punch, driving forward crucial character arcs and high-stakes investigations. This season has already kicked off with a bang, diverging from what might have been an earlier launch, as we discussed in our piece on the NCIS Season 23 premiere date change. The shift allowed the writers to craft an even more compelling narrative.
Meet the Main Players: NCIS Season 23 Cast
The heart of NCIS lies with its compelling characters, and Season 23 brings back a beloved ensemble while introducing some intriguing new faces.
- Timothy “Tim” McGee: Sean Murray
- Nicholas “Nick” Torres: Wilmer Valderrama
- Jessica Knight: Katrina Law
- Dr. Jimmy Palmer: Brian Dietzen
- Kasie Hines: Diona Reasonover
- Leon Vance: Rocky Carroll
- Alden Parker: Gary Cole
- Vice Admiral Harriet Parker: Nancy Travis
- Carla Marino: Rebecca De Mornay
This season promises deep dives into the personal lives and professional challenges of these key figures, especially Alden Parker, whose past takes center stage.
Episode by Episode: A Glimpse into the Season 23 Storylines
Here’s a breakdown of what we know about the compelling cases and personal dramas that define NCIS Season 23:
- 1: Prodigal Son (Part 1) (October 14): The season opens with Alden Parker grappling with a profound loss—his father’s murder. His single-minded pursuit of mob boss Carla Marino not only jeopardizes his own future but also puts the entire team at risk. It’s a raw, emotional start that sets a very personal tone for Parker’s arc.
- 2: Prodigal Son (Part 2) (October 21): Parker’s quest for vengeance continues, leading to deadly consequences. The repercussions extend to his sister, Navy Vice Admiral Harriet Parker, who finds herself in an impossible predicament, caught between family loyalty and duty.
- 3: The Sound and the Fury (October 28): The team investigates a petty officer’s death, which soon becomes entangled with a complex blackmail investigation. Special Agent Sawyer joins the team for this case. Meanwhile, Torres faces a terrifying turn of events, and Knight is presented with an incredible opportunity: to train with the elite NCIS Elite program.
- 4: Gone Girls (November 4): A U.S. marine is suspected of kidnapping a man's wife, drawing the NCIS team into a frantic search and a morally ambiguous investigation.
- 5: Now and Then (II): This episode is a significant crossover, continuing directly from NCIS: Origins S02E05 "Funny How Time Slips Away (I)". The team reopens a cold case from the 1990s involving a naval officer’s death, leading them on a desperate manhunt as old secrets resurface.
- 6: Page-Turner: McGee finds himself in an unexpected predicament when he’s kidnapped while promoting his latest "Deep Six" crime novel. The team’s investigation leads them to his self-professed "#1 fan" and uncovers a potential link to a murder case involving stolen classified documents. A true test of McGee's own literary skills.
- 7: God Only Knows: A kidnapped teenager leads NCIS to a Navy SEAL who survived Taliban captivity. The team must determine if his post-traumatic stress led him to commit murder. Meanwhile, Jimmy Palmer shares his crucial findings about Parker’s mother’s mysterious death with Director Vance, setting the stage for more personal revelations.
- 8: Stolen Moments: When a man is shot by the Secret Service outside the Vice President’s official residence, the NCIS team gets some unexpected assistance: an AI chatbot being beta-tested by the Department of Justice. This episode delves into the ethics and efficiency of integrating advanced technology into sensitive investigations.
- 9: Heaven and Nature: In a lighter but still action-packed episode, McGee and Torres race to recover a stolen truck filled with toys for the Navy’s annual Christmas drive. Amidst the holiday cheer, the truth about Parker’s mother is finally revealed, bringing a major arc to its conclusion. Knight is also given her first high-stakes NCIS: Elite mission, tasked with tracking down a former team member.
- 10: Her: Knight’s first NCIS: Elite mission turns deeply personal and complex. She is ordered to hunt down and arrest Eleanor Bishop, the former NCIS team member now designated a wanted cyber-terrorist. Bishop, in turn, reaches out to Torres, leading to a highly anticipated and emotional face-to-face encounter, nearly five years after her abrupt departure from the team.
- 11: Episode 11: Details to be announced.
- 12: Episode 12: Details to be announced.
This season clearly focuses on strong individual character arcs, particularly for Parker and Knight, while weaving in compelling case-of-the-week plots and even a major crossover event.
Watching NCIS Season 23 from Anywhere: The VPN Advantage
Sometimes, geographical restrictions can be frustrating, especially if you're traveling or living abroad and want to keep up with your favorite shows from back home. This is where a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can be incredibly useful.
A VPN allows you to connect to servers in different countries, effectively making it appear as if your internet traffic is originating from that location. For instance, if you're an American traveling in Europe, you could connect to a U.S. server via a VPN, then access Paramount+ or a live CBS stream as if you were back home.
Here's how it generally works:
- Choose a Reputable VPN Service: Services like ExpressVPN, NordVPN, or CyberGhost are popular choices, known for their speed and reliability.
- Install the VPN App: Download and install the VPN software on your device (computer, phone, tablet, smart TV, etc.).
- Connect to a Server: Open the VPN app and select a server location in the country where NCIS Season 23 is available (e.g., the U.S. for CBS/Paramount+, Canada for Global TV).
- Access Your Desired Service: Once connected, open your streaming app or website (e.g., Paramount+) and start watching NCIS Season 23 as usual.
Keep in mind that while VPNs are legal and widely used, some streaming services have measures in place to detect and block VPN traffic. Choosing a robust VPN service that actively works to bypass these blocks is key for a consistent viewing experience.
The Buzz: Will Tony and Ziva Return in NCIS Season 23?
Long-time NCIS fans constantly hope for the return of beloved characters, and few are as iconic as Tony DiNozzo (Michael Weatherly) and Ziva David (Cote de Pablo). There have been persistent rumors swirling that Tony DiNozzo and Ziva David might make an appearance in NCIS Season 23.
This speculation is particularly fueled by the upcoming spin-off, "NCIS: Tony and Ziva," which is confirmed to bring the fan-favorite couple back for their own adventures. Given the interconnected nature of the NCIS universe, a crossover or a cameo in the flagship series wouldn't be out of the question as a way to build hype for their new show or to tie up loose ends. While nothing has been officially confirmed for Season 23, the possibility of seeing them again, even briefly, adds an extra layer of excitement for viewers. Keep an eye on those episode synopses and social media – you never know when a familiar face might pop up!
Making the Most of Your NCIS Viewing Experience
With Season 23 in full swing, you have a plethora of options to ensure you don't miss any of the action. Whether you're a traditional broadcast viewer, a dedicated streamer, or an international fan navigating global content, there's a clear path to follow Alden Parker and his team. Dive into the intense new cases, follow the personal dramas, and stay tuned for what promises to be one of NCIS's most memorable seasons yet. Get ready to watch, because the NCIS team is back, and they're bringing the heat!