2003–04 United States network television schedule

The following is the 2003–04 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 2003 through June 2004. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 2002–03 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as Monday Night Football.

New series are highlighted in bold.

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.[1]

  Yellow indicates the programs in the top 10 for the season.
  Cyan indicates the programs in the top 20 for the season.
  Magenta indicates the programs in the top 30 for the season.

Other Legend

  •   Light blue indicates local programming.
  •   Gray indicates encore programming.
  •   Blue-gray indicates news programming.
  •   Light green indicates sporting events.
  •   Light Purple indicates movies.
  •   Red indicates series being burned off and other scheduled programs, including specials.

PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary.

The 2003–2004 season marked the final time that the major networks scheduled substantial original scripted drama series on Saturdays. After years of declining ratings on that particular evening, beginning with the 2004–2005 season the networks ceased scheduling original dramas on Saturdays, choosing instead to fill the schedule with non-fiction programming and reruns.

From August 13 to 29, 2004, all of NBC's primetime programming was preempted in favor of coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Sunday

Network7:00 p.m.7:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallAmerica's Funniest Home Videos10-8: Officers on DutyAliasThe Practice
WinterExtreme Makeover: Home Edition
CBS60 Minutes (16/9.4)Cold Case (17/9.3)CBS Sunday Movie (#23/7.8)
(Tied with The West Wing and Navy: NCIS)
FoxFallKing of the Hill (R)King of the HillThe SimpsonsThe Bernie Mac ShowMalcolm in the MiddleArrested DevelopmentLocal programming
WinterKing of the HillOliver Beene
SpringKing of the Hill (R)King of the HillThe Simpsons (R)
Late springOliver BeeneArrested Development (R)
SummerKing of the Hill (R)Malcolm in the Middle (R)The Simple Life (R)Quintuplets (R)
Mid-summerThe Casino
NBCFallDateline NBCAmerican DreamsLaw & Order: Criminal Intent (19/8.6)
(Tied with Crossing Jordan)
The Lyon's Den
WinterCrossing Jordan (19/8.6)
(Tied with Law & Order: Criminal Intent)
The WBFallSmallville (R)CharmedTarzanLocal programming
Late fallOne Tree Hill
WinterThe Surreal Life
SpringHigh School Reunion
Late springSteve Harvey's Big Time Challenge (R)Charmed (R)

NOTE: On Fox, The Ortegas was supposed to air at 8:30-9, but it was cancelled.

Monday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallPrimetime MondayMonday Night Football (#9/11.2)
(Tied with Everybody Loves Raymond)
WinterThe ABC Monday Night Movie
SummerMy Wife & KidsGeorge LopezAccording to JimHope & FaithWeddings Gone Wacky, Wonderful & Wild: Anything for Love
CBSYes, DearStill Standing (#26/7.7)
(Tied with Judging Amy)
Everybody Loves Raymond (#9/11.2)
(Tied with Monday Night Football)
Two and a Half Men (#14/9.9)
(Tied with My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance)
CSI: Miami (#8/11.9)
FoxFallThe Next Joe MillionaireSkinLocal Programming
DecemberFox Night at the Movies
WinterAmerican IdolMy Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance (#14/9.9)
(Tied with Two and a Half Men)
MarchThat '70s ShowCracking UpForever Eden
Follow UpThe Bernie Mac ShowThat '70s ShowThat '70s Show
SpringThe Bernie Mac ShowThe Swan
SummerNorth ShoreThe Casino
NBCFallFear Factor (#22/7.9)Las Vegas (#28/7.6)Third Watch
Follow UpAverage Joe (#29/7.4)
SpringThe Restaurant
SummerFor Love or MoneyWho Wants to Marry My Dad?
UPNFallThe ParkersEveGirlfriendsHalf & HalfLocal Programming
SummerOne on OneHalf & Half
The WBFall7th HeavenEverwood
SummerSuperstar USA
Follow UpSummerland (Repeats)

Tuesday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFall8 Simple RulesI'm with HerAccording to JimLess than PerfectNYPD Blue
WinterLine of Fire
Follow UpNYPD Blue
SpringIt's All Relative
Follow UpLess than Perfect
SummerNYPD 24/7
Mid-SummerExtreme Makeover: Home EditionIn the Jury Room
CBSFallNavy: NCIS (#23/7.8)
(Tied with The West Wing and the CBS Sunday Movie)
The GuardianJudging Amy (#26/7.7)
(Tied with Still Standing)
SpringCentury City
Follow UpThe Guardian
Mid-SummerBig BrotherThe Amazing Race
FoxFallMLB Post-Season Games / World Series
NovemberThat '70s ShowThat '70s Show24Local Programming
DecemberThe Simple Life
WinterAmerican Idol (#2/14.9)
SummerThe Bernie Mac ShowMethod & RedThe Jury
Mid-SummerTrading Spouses: Meet Your New MommyThat '70s ShowQuintuplets
NBCFallWhoopiHappy FamilyFrasier (#30/7.3)
(Tied with The King of Queens)
Good Morning, MiamiLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (#18/8.7)
WinterThe Tracy Morgan ShowWhoopiHappy Family
Follow-upWhoopiHappy FamilyScrubs
SpringFear Factor
SummerNext Action StarLast Comic Standing
Mid-SummerScrubsHappy Family
UPNFallOne on OneAll of UsRock Me BabyThe MulletsLocal Programming
Follow-upGirlfriends (Repeats)
WinterAmerica's Next Top Model 2
SpringRock Me BabyOne on One
SummerAll of UsEveAmerica's Next Top Model
AugustThe Player
The WBFallGilmore GirlsOne Tree Hill
SpringHigh School Reunion
Follow UpOne Tree Hill
SummerSummerland

NOTE: On The WB, Fearless was supposed to have started in the Fall at 9–10, but it was delayed to midseason, then it was cancelled both due to production difficulties.

Wednesday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallMy Wife & KidsIt's All RelativeThe Bachelor/The Bachelorette (#21/8.3)Karen Sisco
WinterCelebrity Mole: Yucatán
SpringMy Wife & KidsExtreme MakeoverStephen King's Kingdom Hospital
Follow-upThe Bachelor (#21/8.3)Extreme Makeover
SummerThe Drew Carey ShowThe Drew Carey ShowThe Ultimate Love Test
CBSFall60 Minutes IIThe King of Queens (#30/7.3)
(Tied with Frasier)
BeckerThe Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire
Winter48 Hours Investigates
SpringThe Stones
Follow UpYes, Dear
FoxFallThat '70s ShowA Minute with Stan HooperThe O.C.Local Programming
DecemberThe Simple Life
FebruaryAmerican Idol (#3/14.1)
SummerQuintupletsThe Simple LifeMethod & Red
NBCFallEdThe West Wing (#23/7.8)
(Tied with the CBS Sunday Movie and Navy: NCIS)
Law & Order (#12/10.8)
WinterThe Apprentice (Repeats)
SpringThird Watch
SummerNext Action StarLaw & Order
UPNFallStar Trek: EnterpriseJake 2.0Local Programming
WinterAmerica's Next Top Model (Repeats)
MarchGame OverThe MulletsStar Trek: Enterprise
AprilStar Trek: EnterpriseI'm Still Alive
SummerStar Trek: Enterprise
Mid-SummerAmish in the CityThe Player
The WBFallSmallvilleAngel
SummerFlix from the Frog
Mid-SummerSmallvilleSmallville

Thursday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallThreat MatrixExtreme MakeoverPrimetime
FebruaryExtreme Makeover
SpringExtreme Makeover: Home Edition (Repeats)Stephen King's Kingdom Hospital
SummerWhose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway?
Mid-SummerExtreme MakeoverExtreme Makeover
CBSFallSurvivor: Pearl Islands (#7/12.3)CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (#1/15.9)Without a Trace (#11/11.1)
WinterCSI: Miami (Repeats)
SpringSurvivor: All-Stars (#7/12.3)
SummerJoan of Arcadia
Mid-SummerBig Brother
FoxFallMLB Post-Season Games / World Series
NovemberTru CallingVarious Encore ProgrammingLocal Programming
DecemberThe Simple Life (Repeats)The Simple Life (Repeats)
Mid-JanuaryMy Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance (Repeats)
SpringVarious Encore Programming
SummerNorth ShoreTru Calling
Mid-SummerFox Night at the Movies
NBCFallFriends (#4/13.6)ScrubsWill & Grace (#13/10.4)CouplingER (#6/12.9)
NovemberGood Morning, MiamiScrubs
WinterWill & Grace (#13/10.4)The Apprentice (#5/13.0)
SpringFrasierWill & Grace (#13/10.4)Scrubs
SummerCome to Papa
Mid-SummerWill & GraceScrubsLast Comic Standing
UPNWWE Thursday Night SmackDownLocal Programming
The WBFallSteve Harvey's Big Time ChallengeThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentWhat I Like About YouRun of the House
WinterAll About the AndersonsThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment
Follow UpThe Surreal Life
SpringLike FamilyThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment
Follow UpFlix from the Frog
SummerPepsi SmashThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentReba
Mid-SummerBlue Collar TVRebaBlue Collar TV

NOTE: On Fox, The O.C. was supposed to air at 9-10 after Tru Calling, but at the last minute stick with repeats.

Friday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallGeorge LopezMarried to the KellysHope & FaithLife with Bonnie20/20
SpringThe Big HouseThe D.A.
Follow-upMarried to the Kellys20/20
SummerMarried to the KellysLife with Bonnie
Mid-Summer8 Simple RulesLess than Perfect
CBSFallJoan of ArcadiaJAGThe Handler
SpringCSI: Miami (Repeats)
Summer48 Hours
FoxFallWanda at LargeLuisBoston PublicLocal Programming
Follow-upA Minute With Stan HooperWanda at Large
WinterTotally Outrageous BehaviorWorld's Craziest Videos
SpringBoston PublicWonderfalls
Follow-upTotally Outrageous BehaviorWorld's Craziest VideosForever Eden
MayFox Night at the Movies
SummerThe Bernie Mac ShowMethod & RedThe Jury
NBCFallMiss MatchDateline NBCBoomtown
Follow-upDateline NBCMiss MatchThird Watch
WinterEd
SpringDateline NBC
SummerLas Vegas
UPNFallUPN's Night at the MoviesLocal Programming
SpringGame OverAll of UsStar Trek: Enterprise
Follow-upUPN's Night at the Movies
Mid-SummerStar Trek: EnterpriseAmish in the City
The WBFallRebaLike FamilyGrounded for LifeAll About the Andersons
WinterWhat I Like About YouLike Family
SpringThe Help
Follow-upRun of the House
SummerWhat I Like About YouGrounded for LifeRebaReba
Mid-SummerBlue Collar TV

Saturday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallThe Wonderful World of DisneyLA Dragnet
WinterAmerica's Funniest Home Videos (R)
SummerWhose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway? (R)
CBSFall48 Hours InvestigatesHackThe District
WinterStar Search
SpringCBS Saturday Night Movie
SummerThe Amazing Race (R)Big BrotherVarious programming
FoxCOPSCOPS (R)America's Most WantedLocal programming
NBCFallNBC Saturday Night MovieLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (R)
WinterThe Tracy Morgan ShowWhoopi (R)Law & Order (R)
SpringNBC Saturday Night Movie
SummerLaw & Order: Crime & Punishment

By network

ABC

CBS

Fox

NBC

UPN

The WB

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.

Renewals and cancellations

Renewals

ABC

CBS

Fox

NBC

UPN

The WB

Cancellations/series endings

ABC

CBS

Fox

NBC

UPN

The WB

References