Why 'NCIS' Season 18 Will Be Cut Short

“NCIS” Season 18 will not be as long as usual. The flagship show, as well as the "Los Angeles" and "New Orleans" spinoffs, are on the list of shows that CBS will be cutting short this season.

The 2019-20 seasons of many TV shows were brought to a halt in mid-March when COVID-19 forced a shut down in Hollywood. “NCIS” Season 17 was cut short by four episodes in the spring, airing only 20 of a planned 24 installments. Season 18 will be even shorter.

“NCIS” Season 18 and "NCIS: New Orleans” Season 7 will have 16 episodes each. Meanwhile, “NCIS: Los Angeles” Season 12 will stick around a little longer with 18 episodes. Typically, a full season of a CBS procedural includes about 22 episodes.

Most broadcast shows are now producing shorter seasons and launching each show later than usual. Other TV shows being cut short on the CBS network include, “Blue Bloods,” “Bull,” “The Neighborhood,” “SEAL Team” and “Magnum P.I.” These seasons will also range from 16 to 18 each, says TV Line.

Since each show has had to follow numerous COVID-19 protocols, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to each episode, according to Deadline. Testing, personal protective equipment, and deep cleaning measures have added to production budgets significantly. Not only will there be fewer episodes on the network, but they’ve dished out more money than usual.

Since most TV shows are getting a later premiere slot, with all three "NCIS" shows due in November rather than the usual September start, the episodes are expected to air until May 2021.

While these drama series are getting fewer episodes in its new upcoming seasons, a few comedy series like ABC’s “black-ish” and Fox’s “Last Man Standing,” are so far getting an entire season with 22 episodes each.

The “NCIS” returns to CBS with new episodes on Tuesday, Nov. 17 while “NCIS: New Orleans” and “NCIS: Los Angeles” premiere Sunday, Nov. 8.