“NCIS” and “48 Hours” Combined Series with Paramount Audio

Paramount Audio today announced the creation of a new original crossover podcast series combining two major CBS franchises: “48 Hours" and “NCIS.”

In “48 Hours: NCIS” two of the most iconic brands in media join forces for a one-of-a-kind audio series that merges the award-winning journalism of one of the most celebrated true crime news programs with the world’s No. 1 TV franchise. It will premiere on October 29, 2024.

The series will be hosted by award-winning CBS News correspondent and host of CBS’ “The Talk,” Natalie Morales. Raised in a military family as the daughter of a Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. Air Force, Morales joined CBS News in 2021, and her reporting is featured across several CBS News platforms including “48 Hours,” “CBS Mornings,” “CBS Sunday Morning” and others.

Exploring the real-life cases that NCIS agents will never forget, the series will begin with a look back at a case involving Marine wife Erin Corwin who was just 19 years old when she disappeared in California’s Joshua Tree National Park. Nearly two months later, her body was found in an abandoned mine in the unforgiving desert, and suspicions quickly fell on a fellow Marine. The premiere, six-episode season of “48 Hours: NCIS” untangles this twisted story of infidelity and betrayal that led to Erin’s tragic end.

“Growing up in a military family, I am honored to be able to tell the stories of those who have and continue to serve our country, and to offer unique insights into the inner workings of the NCIS as they help solve cases,” Morales said. “Erin Corwin’s story as a newly pregnant, young military wife is especially heartbreaking. It took the dedication of many NCIS agents to help find her in difficult desert conditions and to solve the mystery of how she died and who was responsible.”

The launch of “48 Hours: NCIS” comes on the heels of several key moments for “48 Hours” branded podcasts that have helped solidify it as one of the top true crime podcast franchises in the world. An example of original audio content that also serves as profit-generating marketing, these series have helped the franchise grow its audience beyond its strong flagship linear TV offering to successfully build upon and diversify its audience. Season 37 of “48 Hours” premieres Saturday, September 21st on CBS.

Some recent milestones include:

• Mini-series, “Blood is Thicker: The Hargan Family Killings,” was one of back-to-back Paramount Audio podcasts to debut at No. 1 on the Apple podcast charts this spring.
• “Blood is Thicker” also helped drive a 985% increase in subscribers to the 48 Hours+ offering on Apple, which launched in 2023 to super-serve true crime fans with early-access and ad-free content, while driving additional revenue for the company.
• Overall, average monthly downloads of “48 Hours” franchise podcasts increased 116% from 2022 to 2023, while all CBS News podcasts (which includes “48 Hours”) increased 59%.

Produced by CBS Studios, “NCIS” is the world’s most successful television franchise with more than 300 million viewers around the world across all platforms, including broadcast, cable, streaming and syndication (according to Nielsen and international Television Audience Measurement companies in key territories). In spring 2024, NCIS celebrated its 1,000th episode across the franchise, with new NCIS series joining the family including “NCIS: Origins” and “NCIS: Tony & Ziva.” Season 22 of NCIS will premiere on CBS on Monday, October 14th.

“I can’t think of a better way to showcase the power of Paramount’s IP than by crossing over two of CBS’ most successful franchises to create new, original digital content,” said Paramount Global EVP, Podcasting and Audio Steve Raizes. “We are beyond thrilled to be in a position to bring fans of ‘NCIS’ a deep dive into the real cases investigated by the agents portrayed on the iconic TV show, and the ‘48 Hours’ audience even more premium storytelling aligned with what they expect from the brand.”