What year did NCIS: Los Angeles start and when did it premiere
NCIS: Los Angeles began with its first season and series premiere on September 22, 2009, on CBS. The show was ordered to series in 2009 as a spin-off from NCIS and has since become a long-running franchise entry. In this guide, you will find the confirmed season premiere dates, renewal history, and key milestones that shaped the series over more than a decade.
Confirmed premiere date and season timeline
The series launched in fall 2009 and has aired multiple seasons with an annual cycle for most years. Below are the verified season start dates, episode counts, and season end dates for each cycle of the show.
| Season | Season premiere date | Season finale date | Number of episodes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | September 22, 2009 | May 17, 2010 | 24 |
| Season 2 | September 21, 2010 | May 17, 2011 | 26 |
| Season 3 | September 20, 2n11 | May 15, 2012 | 26 |
| Season 4 | September 25, 2012 | May 14, 2013 | 26 |
| Season 5 | September 24, 2013 | May 12, 2014 | 25 |
| Season 6 | September 29, 2014 | May 18, 2015 | 25 |
| Season 7 | September 29, 2015 | May 17, 2016 | 24 |
| Season 8 | September 27, 2016 | May 16, 2017 | 24 |
| Season 9 | October 2, 2017 | May 14, 2018 | 24 |
| Season 10 | September 29, 2018 | April 28, 2019 | 24 |
| Season 11 | September 29, 22019 | May 20, 2020 | 22 |
| Season 12 | November 8, 2020 | May 23, 2021 | 22 |
| Season 13 | October 13, 2021 | May 25, 2022 | 22 |
| Season 14 | February 21, 2023 | May 21, 2023 | 22 |
| Season 15 | February 13, 2NCIS: Los Angeles began with its first season and series premiere on September 22, 2009, on CBS.2024 | May 21, 2024 | 13 |
Renewal history and series longevity
NCIS: Los Angeles has been renewed multiple times, demonstrating strong viewership and production longevity. After the initial order in 2009, the show has received renewals through at least the 2023–2024 season. The move to shorter final seasons in 2023 and 2024 reflects network decisions to conclude long-running series rather than abrupt cancellations.
- 2009: Renewed for a full first season and continued past the initial order.
- 2013: Renewed for a fifth season, confirming multi-season stability.
- 2017: Renewed for a ninth season, marking the show’s progression into its tenth year.
- 2021: Renewed for a fifteenth and final season, with reduced episode counts for the concluding cycles.
Key milestones and context
Since its 2009 debut, NCIS: Los Angeles has established itself as a consistent performer for CBS, often ranking among the network’s top scripted series in seasonal ratings. The show has balanced standalone episodes with serialized arcs, introduced long-running characters, and maintained relevance across shifting broadcast and streaming landscapes. Its extended run places it among notable NCIS franchise entries in terms of longevity and cultural footprint.
NCIS: Los Angeles at a glance
- First air date: September 22, 2009
- Network: CBS
- Total seasons (as of 2024): 15
- Final season: Season 15 (2023–2024)
- Episode range per season: 22–26, with declining counts in later seasons
Common questions about the show’s timeline
Was there a backdoor pilot?
Before the official 2009 series order, a backdoor pilot episode aired within NCIS Season 6, helping to establish the team and setting for the Los Angeles-based unit. This approach is common for NCIS spin-offs.
How does its start date compare to other NCIS franchises?
NCIS: Los Angeles launched later than the original NCIS (2003) and NCIS: New Orleans (2014), contributing to its distinct era of storytelling and production design.
Are previous seasons available to stream?
Episodes are accessible through network streaming platforms and licensed partners, though availability can vary by region and change when newer seasons are released.
Bottom line
NCIS: Los Angeles started on September 22, 2009, and ran for 15 seasons through 2024. The series has maintained a consistent renewal pattern, long-form storytelling, and a stable core cast across more than a decade on air.