In what year did CSI first premiere?

CSI: Crime Scene Investigation first premiered in 2000. Its pilot episode aired on CBS in the United States on October 6, 2000, introducing viewers to Gil Grissom, Catherine Willows, Nick Stokes, Warrick Brown, and Jim Brass.

Created by Anthony E. Zuiker and produced with Jerry Bruckheimer, the series followed forensic investigators solving crimes in Las Vegas. Its focus on DNA, trace evidence, ballistics, and crime-scene reconstruction helped turn forensic procedure into a major television genre.

A common mix-up is confusing the premiere year with the year CSI became a major ratings hit. The show began on Friday nights before moving to Thursdays during its first season, where its audience grew substantially. CSI later launched a large franchise, including CSI: Miami, CSI: NY, CSI: Cyber, and CSI: Vegas.

The original series ultimately ran for 15 seasons, but its first broadcast year remains 2000—not 1999, 2001, or 2002.