How to watch NCIS season 20 online tonight: release date and time, trailer and more

NCIS season 20 poster features the cast — save for Gibbs
(Image credit: CBS)

Yes, folks, it's finally time to watch NCIS season 20 online. to see the premiere's big crossover event with NCIS: Hawai'i. The long-running CBS drama returns after a big cliffhanger involving supervisory special agent Alden Parker (Gary Cole). 

NCIS season 20 channel, start time

NCIS season 20 premieres today (Monday, Sept. 19)
Time — 9 p.m. ET / 8 p.m. CT
• U.S. — Watch on CBS via Fubo.TV or Paramount Plus
• Watch anywhere — try ExpressVPN 100% risk free

After Gibbs left his leadership role last year to stay in Alaska, Parker took over the team. However, now he is on the run with ex-wife Vivian (Teri Polo) while the other agents try to clear his name and find the person who framed Parker. 

Their investigation pulls in NCIS: Hawai'i's Special Agent Jane Tennant (Vanessa Lachey) and Computer Specialist Ernie Malick (Jason Antoon), who are in town to meet with Director Leon Vance (Rocky Carroll). With their help, the team tracks down their prime suspect, the Raven.

In the second half of the crossover, Tennant leads her team, along with agents Nick Torres (Wilmer Valderrama) and Jessica Knight (Katrina Law), in a search for the Raven on the island of Oahu. During their investigation, they discover the Raven's nefarious plans to  the world’s largest international maritime warfare exercise.

Here is everything you need to watch NCIS season 20. Plus, watch a promo below:

How to watch NCIS season 20 from anywhere on Earth

Just because CBS isn't available everywhere doesn't mean you can't watch NCIS season 20 if you're away from home. Watching the show along with the rest of the internet can be pretty easy with the right VPN (virtual private network). You can stream the show from wherever you go.

We've evaluated many VPN services, and our top pick is ExpressVPN. It meets the VPN needs of the vast majority of users, offering outstanding compatibility with most devices and impressive connection speeds. It's also affordable at $12.95 per month. (Signing up for longer periods of six months or a year reduces the cost even more.)

ExpressVPN

We think speed, security and simplicity make ExpressVPN second to none. During our tests, we saw fast connection times, and we're impressed by the service's ability to access more than 3,000 services spread out across 160 locations in 94 countries. There's a 30-day money-back guarantee if you're not satisfied.

How to watch NCIS season 20 in the US

In the U.S., viewers can watch the NCIS season 20 premiere Monday, Sept. 19 at 9 p.m. ET/PT. 

CBS is a local broadcast network that can accessed with one of the best TV antennas or through a cable TV package.

If you've already cut the cord and don't have cable, you can watch CBS on a live TV service, like FuboTV, Hulu With Live TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream.

Of these options, we recommend FuboTV, one of the best streaming services on the market.

You can also watch your local CBS station's live feed on Paramount Plus with a Premium subscription.

Fubo.TVa 7-day free trial

Fubo.TV is one of the best live TV services with CBS. The streamer all of the local broadcast networks and most of the top cable channels. Who needs cable? Not Fubo subscribers. And it's got a 7-day free trial so you don't need to pay up front.

Paramount Plus

Paramount Plus has your local CBS station's live feed. Its deep library includes Survivor and Big Brother episodes, as well as originals like Star Trek: Picard, The Good Fight and the iCarly revival. You need a Premium membership to watch the CBS live feeds for NCIS season 19. Save on your monthly costs with our Paramount Plus coupon codes.

How to watch NCIS season 20 in the UK

Bad news for British fans of NCIS — season 20 doesn't have a release date on any UK channels.

The previous 19 seasons are streaming on Disney Plus. 

If you want to watch live using a streaming service you already for pay, check out ExpressVPN.

How to watch NCIS season 20 in Canada

Canadians will see NCIS season 20 at the same time and date as Americans. It's broadcasting on Global TV, at 9 p.m. ET.

How to watch NCIS season 20 in Australia

Unfortunately, it looks like Aussies also won't be able to watch NCIS season 20 live, as it doesn't appear to be airing on any local channels. 

The previous 19 seasons are streaming on Disney Plus. 

ExpressVPN can help anyone traveling abroad access their paid subscription services.

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Kelly Woo
Streaming Editor

Kelly is the streaming channel editor for Tom’s Guide, so basically, she watches TV for a living. Previously, she was a freelance entertainment writer for Yahoo, Vulture, TV Guide and other outlets. When she’s not watching TV and movies for work, she’s watching them for fun, seeing live music, writing songs, knitting and gardening.