NCIS is most-watched global drama

CBS procedural NCIS has been named as the most-watched drama in the world.

The series has received the International Television Audience Award for a Drama TV Series at the Monte Carlo Television Festival, which is given to the top rating scripted dramas in international TV.

The most-watched comedy was the Twentieth Century Fox Television-distributed ABC series Modern Family, which succeeded CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.

According to the Festival and Eurodata TV, which provides ratings data to TBI, NCIS garnered more than 57.6 million viewers across 66 territories in 2013.

Earlier this year, TBI published Eurodata stats showing series from the NCIS franchise most regularly appeared in the rosters of top ten most-watched programmes globally. This latest accolade rubber-stamps the procedural’s international popularity.

“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,” said NCIS star and executive producer Mark Harmon, who plays lead character Jethro Gibbs, and executive producer Gary Glasberg in a statement.

CBS Studios International distributes NCIS, which has been the highest-rated show in the US for five years running and is heading into its twelfth season. At the LA Screenings last month, CBSSI launched the latest entrant from the franchise, NCIS: New Orleans, to international buyers.