BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. | CBS Corp. chief executive Les Moonves says every effort was made to keep the actress who plays Ziva David on TV’s highest-rated show, “NCIS.”

This publicity image released by CBS shows, cast members, from left, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray and Michael Weatherly in a scene from "NCIS." De Pablo will not be returning to the series. CBS Corp. chief executive Les Moonves said Monday, July 29, 2013, that every effort was made to keep actress Cote de Pablo on TV's highest-rated show, "NCIS." (AP Photo/CBS, Michael Yarish)
This publicity image released by CBS shows, cast members, from left, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray and Michael Weatherly in a scene from “NCIS.” De Pablo will not be returning to the series. CBS Corp. chief executive Les Moonves said Monday, July 29, 2013, that every effort was made to keep actress Cote de Pablo on TV’s highest-rated show, “NCIS.” (AP Photo/CBS, Michael Yarish)
This publicity image released by CBS shows, cast members, from left, Cote de Pablo, Sean Murray and Michael Weatherly in a scene from “NCIS.” De Pablo will not be returning to the series. CBS Corp. chief executive Les Moonves said Monday, July 29, 2013, that every effort was made to keep actress Cote de Pablo on TV’s highest-rated show, “NCIS.” (AP Photo/CBS, Michael Yarish)

Moonves says Cote de Pablo was offered, in his words, “a lot of money” because the network didn’t want to lose her from the crime drama. Moonves says the offer was then upped.

But he says the actress decided she didn’t want to continue on the show.

He noted the social media outcry from de Pablo’s disappointed fans, but asserted CBS did everything possible to keep her.

A representative for de Pablo didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

“NCIS” stars Mark Harmon as head of a Navy criminal investigations division. It returns for its 11th season this fall.