Originally pitched towards the studio, network, and later also marketed for audiences as a "Top Gun" meets "A Few Good Men" hybrid series, the pilot episode of "JAG" first aired on NBC on September 23, 1995, but the series was later canceled on May 22, 1996, after finishing 79th in the ratings, leaving one episode unaired. Rival network CBS picked up the series for a Mid-season replacement, beginning on January 3, 1997. For several seasons, "JAG" climbed in the ratings and was on the air for nine additional seasons. "JAG" furthermore spawned the hit series "NCIS", which in turn spun off ' and '.