Last year’s ranking: Unranked
The ever-popular prime-time series “CSI” made its mark first on the networks, then on cable and now in syndication, with “CSI: Miami” dominating the off-net weeklies with a 4.0 average.

This season Mr. Bruckheimer’s “Cold Case” debuted in off-net play for stations, making a strong play for second place with a 2.3 average in its rookie season.

“The king of television with six successful series,” said one voter. “Nobody comes close.”

The “CSI” franchise itself broke multiple records in back-end participation. In 2004, Spike TV snatched up drama series “CSI: NY” for a record sum nearing $1.9 million per episode, toppling the original “CSI’s” $1.6 million-per-episode sale. The success of those dramas opened the door for successful debuts of other procedural dramas such as “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” in the off-net mix.

“This show is double-running all over stations and clogging time periods, so the cast will be highly popular next season,” said one expert.

Another added: “Another new entry this year, and finally a drama that works in syndication.”