Apparently, “NCIS” is as popular across the globe as it is in the United States.
The CBS drama was named the most-watched drama in the world on Wednesday at the 54th Monte-Carlo Television Festival, where it was given the International Television Audience Award for a Drama TV Series.
Also read: CBS Orders ‘NCIS’ Spinoff, ‘Odd Couple,’ ‘Madam Secretary,’ Others
The series, which stars and is executive produced by Mark Harmon, had more than 57.6 million total worldwide viewers in 66 countries that represented nearly 3 billion total viewers last year, CBS said.
(The International Audience Award is based on the total of TV ratings of the best performing episode in the broadcast countries among the 66 countries included in the survey.)
Also read: Zoe McLellan Joins CBS’s ‘NCIS’ Spinoff
“As ‘NCIS’ enters its 12th season, we couldn’t be happier to learn we’re now the #1 drama in the world,” Harmon and fellow executive producer Gary Glasberg said. “It’s no secret that determination and teamwork have allowed our cast and crew to continue to deliver a show we’re truly proud of. We also know we wouldn’t be here without the support and loyalty of the best fans in television. Thanks to our worldwide audience for helping us start the new season off right.”
In the U.S., “NCIS” has ranked as the most-watched drama for five years, averaging 20.02 million viewers with its most recent season. Among all programs, it ranks third behind “Sunday Night Football” and CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory.”
In the 18-49 demographic most important to advertisers, the series ranked fifth among all dramas last season with a 3.3 rating/9 share.