CBS is developing a spinoff of its naval procedural drama NCIS, according to Entertainment Weekly.

A leap in ratings this season has prompted the network to prepare the new show's launch for early next autumn, although an insider maintained that plans are "still in the early stages".

A new set of naval police officers will reportedly be introduced in a future episode this season, with the franchise then expanding in 2009/10.

Forward movement on the NCIS spinoff will reportedly put the brakes on CBS's Criminal Minds offshoot.

NCIS is itself a spinoff from legal drama JAG.