C.S.I. MIAMI WORLD'S TOP SHOW

This week on Jerry Bruckheimer's CSI: Miami someone was killing off male models at a Miami modelling agency and David Caruso's Horatio Caine and his CSI crew uncovered insurance fraud that spiralled out of control and ultimately backfired against the two rotten homicidal owners who ended up killing each other in a truly eventful episode. But that kind of outrageous storytelling is only a part of the reason why this mega-successful CSI spin-off became the most watched TV series around the world.

Viewers in Germany, France, The UK and across the globe have fallen in love with the exotic locations and rich production values (an episode was shot at the Miami Grand Prix) as the forensic drama eclipsed the success of its mothership CSI and became the most watched American series in international markets in 2005, well ahead ABC's juggernauts "Lost" and "Desperate Housewives".

It is estimated that the drama is regularly watched by over 50 million viewers around the world, that is in addition to about 18 million who watch it in the US.

Last week the show reached an important milestone. Its 100th episode has secured a long and prosperous future for the drama in syndication and that is on top of the $900,000 per episode that, according to TV analysts, the show is pulling in on average in international markets.

So what makes this second most successful procedural in the US so appealing to international audiences? They say it is the beach. And the sexiness. And Miami itself. European audiences love the exotic backdrop of the drama and the cast and crew works overtime to make sure the visual texture of the series does justice to the city, its beauty and its diversity.

As for how long the franchise can continue? CBS president Les Moonves believes the financial model behind the drama is strong and will continue to allow the network to carry on with production for many years ahead.