2008–09 United States network television schedule

The 2008–09 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers the prime time hours from September 2008 through August 2009. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2007–08 season. The schedule omits the Public Broadcasting Service (whose programming is listed here).

NBC was the first to announce its fall schedule on April 2, 2008,[1] followed by ABC and The CW on May 13,[2][3] CBS on May 14,[4] Fox on May 15,[5] and MyNetworkTV on May 22.[6] The CW unveiled its Sunday lineup on May 27, 2008.[7]

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

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows released in May 2009 is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.[8]

New series are highlighted in bold.

Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by (R).

All times are U.S. Eastern and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian times.

All sporting events air live in all time zones in U.S. Eastern time, with local and/or late-night programming (including Fox affiliates during the 10 p.m. ET/PT hour) by affiliates after game completion.

Legend

  •   Light blue indicates local programming.
  •   Gray indicates encore programming.
  •   Blue-gray indicates news programming.
  •   Light green indicates sporting events.
  •   Red indicates series being burned off and other irregularly scheduled programs, including specials and movies.
  •   Light gold indicates programming produced outside of the United States.
  •  highlight  Yellow highlights indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
  •  highlight  Cyan highlights indicates numbers 11-20 most watched programs of the season.
  •  highlight  Magenta highlights indicates numbers 21-30 most watched programs of the season.
  •  highlight  Highlights indicates that it falls in multiple of the above categories.

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 VideosExtreme Makeover: Home EditionDesperate Housewives (9/9.9)Brothers & Sisters (23/7.2)
SummerShark TankDefying Gravity
CBSFall60 Minutes (14/8.9)The Amazing RaceCold Case (20/7.5)
(Tied with The Bachelor)
The Unit
WinterMillion Dollar Password
Mid-winterThe Amazing Race
SpringVarious programmingWithout a Trace (R)
SummerBig Brother
Mid-summerThere Goes the NeighborhoodCold Case (R)
The CWFallIn Harm's WayValentineEasy MoneyLocal programming
Late fallJericho (R)[a][b]The CW Sunday Night Movie[b]
SummerValentine
Mid-summerEasy Money
FoxFallFox NFL (4:15 p.m.)The OTThe SimpsonsKing of the HillFamily GuyAmerican Dad!
WinterHole in the Wall
SpringAmerican Dad! (R)King of the Hill (R)
Mid-springSit Down, Shut UpAmerican Dad! (R)
Late springKing of the Hill (R)
NBCFallFootball Night in AmericaNBC Sunday Night Football (8:15 p.m.) (continued to game completion) (8/10.0)
WinterDateline NBCSpecial programming
Late winterDateline NBCKingsThe Apprentice
SpringDateline NBC
SummerDateline NBCMerlinLaw & Order: Criminal Intent (R)Law & Order (R)

Notes:

  • On Sundays, The CW programming begins at 6:30 p.m. (EST).
  • CBS' Sunday Night primetime lineup is often delayed due to NFL on CBS game coverage running longer than scheduled, except in the Pacific and Mountain time zones, where the lineup airs as scheduled.
  • The 7 p.m. hour on Fox features animated series reruns in the Pacific and Mountain time zones during the NFL season.

Monday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallDancing with the Stars (3/12.9)Samantha Who?Boston Legal
WinterThe Bachelor (20/7.5)
(Tied with Cold Case)
True Beauty
SpringDancing with the Stars (3/12.9)Surviving SuburbiaCastle (25/6.9)
Late springThe BacheloretteHere Come the Newlyweds
SummerDating in the Dark
Late summerDating in the Dark (R)Dating in the DarkCastle (R)
CBSFallThe Big Bang TheoryHow I Met Your MotherTwo and a Half Men (12/9.1)
(Tied with CSI: Miami)
Worst WeekCSI: Miami (12/9.1)
(Tied with Two and a Half Men)
WinterRules of Engagement (24/7.1)
SummerHow I Met Your Mother (R)Rules of Engagement (R)The Big Bang Theory (R)
The CWFallGossip GirlOne Tree HillLocal programming
SummerOne Tree Hill (R)Gossip Girl (R)
FoxFallTerminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesPrison Break
WinterHouse (17/8.1)24 (22/7.3)
SpringLie to Me (R)
MNTFallCelebrity ExposéMagic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed
Mid-fallTwilight Zone (R)
WinterMasters of Illusion
Late winterMagic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed
SpringMasters of Illusion (R)
SummerTwilight Zone (R)
NBCEarly fallDeal or No DealAmerica's Toughest JobsDateline NBC
FallChuckHeroesMy Own Worst Enemy
WinterSuperstars of DanceMomma's Boys
Mid-winterChuckHeroesMedium
SpringDeal or No DealVarious programming
Late springI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!Law & Order: Criminal Intent (R)Dateline NBC
SummerThe Great American Road Trip

Tuesday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallOpportunity KnocksDancing with the Stars (7/10.7)Eli Stone
Mid-fallSpecial programmingAccording to Jim
WinterHomeland Security USAScrubsPrimetime: What Would You Do?
SpringAccording to JimDancing with the Stars (7/10.7)Cupid
SummerThe SuperstarsBetter Off Ted (R)Scrubs (R)Primetime
Mid-summerVarious programmingShaq Vs.
CBSFallNCIS (5/10.9)The Mentalist (6/10.8)Without a Trace (16/8.4)
Spring48 Hours (R)
SummerBig BrotherMedium (R)
The CWFall90210PrivilegedLocal programming
WinterReaper90210
Spring90210 (R)Hitched or Ditched
FoxFallHouse (17/8.1)Fringe
WinterAmerican Idol (2/14.6)
Mid-winterAmerican Idol (2/14.6)
SpringAmerican Idol (2/14.6)Fringe
Late springHouse (R)Mental
SummerHell's KitchenMore to Love
MNTFallStreet PatrolStreet Patrol (R)JAILJAIL (R)
WinterVice SquadVice Squad (R)
Late winterStreet PatrolJAILJAIL (R)
NBCFallThe Biggest LoserLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (26/6.7)
(Tied with ER and Bones)
SpringI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!Law & Order: Criminal Intent (R)Dateline NBC
SummerThe Great American Road Trip

Wednesday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallPushing DaisiesPrivate PracticeDirty Sexy Money
WinterDesperate Housewives (R)Lost (29/6.6)
(Tied with Ghost Whisperer and Numb3rs)
Life on Mars
Late winterScrubsBetter Off TedThe Unusuals
SpringWipeoutI Survived a Japanese Game ShowPrimetime
SummerCrash Course
CBSThe New Adventures of Old ChristineGary UnmarriedCriminal Minds (11/9.4)CSI: NY (15/8.6)
The CWFallAmerica's Next Top ModelStylistaLocal programming
Late fallStylista (R)
Winter13: Fear is Real90210 (R)
Mid-winterPrivileged
Late winterAmerica's Next Top Model
SpringHitched or Ditched (R)
SummerAmerica's Next Top Model (R)
FoxFallBones (26/6.7)
(Tied with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and ER)
'Til DeathDo Not Disturb
Mid-fallHouse (R)
WinterAmerican Idol (1/15.1)Lie to Me
Late winterLie to MeAmerican Idol (1/15.1)
SpringSo You Think You Can Dance
MNTFallThe World's Funniest MomentsThe Tony Rock ProjectUnder One Roof
SpringComics Unleashed (R)
Late springThe Twilight Zone (R)
NBCFallKnight RiderDeal or No DealLipstick Jungle
Mid-fallLifeLaw & Order
WinterThe Chopping Block
SpringLaw & Order (R)Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R)
Late springI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
SummerAmerica's Got Talent (R)America's Got TalentThe Philanthropist

Thursday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallUgly BettyGrey's Anatomy (10/9.6)Life on Mars
WinterPrivate Practice
SpringIn the MotherhoodSamantha Who?
Mid-springUgly Betty
SummerSamantha Who?
Mid-summerGrey's Anatomy (R)
CBSFallSurvivor (18/7.8)
(Tied with Eleventh Hour)
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (4/11.5)Eleventh Hour (18/7.8)
(Tied with Survivor)
WinterVarious programming
Mid-winterSurvivor (18/7.8)
(Tied with Eleventh Hour)
SpringHarper's Island
Late springVarious programming
SummerBig BrotherThe Mentalist (R)
The CWFallSmallvilleSupernaturalLocal programming
SummerSupernatural (R)
FoxFallHole in the WallKitchen Nightmares
Mid-fallVarious programming
WinterBones (26/6.7)
(Tied with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and ER)
Hell's Kitchen
SpringSo You Think You Can Dance
MNTMy Thursday Night Movie
NBCFallMy Name Is EarlKath & KimThe OfficeSaturday Night
Live Weekend
Update Thursday
ER (26/6.7)
(Tied with Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
and Bones)
Mid-fall30 Rock
SpringParks and RecreationSouthland
Late springI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!The Listener
Summer30 Rock (R)The Office (R)
Mid-summerParks and Recreation (R)The Office (R)Law & Order (R)

Notes:

  • The Moment of Truth was originally scheduled to air Thursdays at 8:00 on Fox, but was instead shelved, effectively canceling it.

Friday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallWife SwapSupernanny20/20
SpringSurviving SuburbiaThe Goode FamilyAccording to Jim (R)
SummerSupernanny (R)Ugly Betty (R)
CBSFallGhost Whisperer (29/6.6)
(Tied with Lost and Numb3rs)
The Ex ListNumb3rs (29/6.6)
(Tied with Ghost Whisperer and Lost)
Mid-fallVarious programming
WinterFlashpoint
The CWFallEverybody Hates ChrisThe GameAmerica's Next Top Model (R)Local programming
WinterEverybody Hates Chris (R)The Game (R)
Mid-winter13: Fear Is Real
Late winterAmerica's Next Top Model (R)
SpringPrivileged (R)Everybody Hates Chris (R)The Game (R)
FoxFallAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader?Don't Forget the Lyrics!
WinterTerminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesDollhouse
SpringPrison Break
Late springDon't Forget the Lyrics!House (R)
SummerAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader?Mental
MNTWWE Friday Night SmackDown
NBCFallAmerica's Toughest JobsVarious programmingLife
Mid-fallDeal or No DealCrusoeLipstick Jungle
Late fallLipstick JungleDateline NBC
WinterHowie Do ItFriday Night Lights (R)
SpringDateline NBC
Late springThe Chopping Block
SummerSouthland (R)

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.
ABCFallSaturday Night Football (continued to game completion)
Late fallVarious programming
SpringABC Saturday Movie of the Week
Late springABC Saturday Movie of the WeekPushing Daisies
SummerWipeout (R)Castle (R)Eli Stone
Mid-summerDirty Sexy Money
Late summerABC Saturday Movie of the WeekShark Tank (R)
CBSFallCrimetime Saturday48 Hours
WinterGame Show in My HeadCrimetime Saturday
Mid-winterCrimetime Saturday
SpringCrimetime SaturdayHarper's Island
SummerCrimetime Saturday
FoxCOPSCOPS (R)America's Most WantedLocal programming
MNTMy Saturday Night Movie
NBCFallVarious programmingKnight Rider (R)Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R)
Mid-fallKnight Rider (R)Various programming
Late fallCrusoe
WinterLaw & Order: Criminal Intent (R)Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R)Law & Order (R)
SpringLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (R)Southland (R)
Late springKingsLaw & Order (R)Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R)
SummerLaw & Order: Criminal Intent (R)

By network

ABC

CBS

The CW

Fox

MyNetworkTV

NBC

Renewals and Cancellations

Full-season pickups

ABC

CBS

The CW

  • 90210—On September 22, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.[55]

Fox

MyNetworkTV

NBC

  • Chuck—On August 28, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order, one month before the new season even premiered.[59]
  • Knight Rider—On October 21, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order,[60] then on December 3, 2008, NBC cut the order down to 17.[61]
  • Kath & Kim—On October 31, 2008, was given a full-season order.[62]
  • Life—On November 7, 2008, NBC picked up Life for a full season.[63]
  • Howie Do It—Twelve additional episodes were ordered by NBC.[64]

Renewals

ABC

CBS

The CW

Fox

NBC

Cancellations/Series endings

ABC

CBS

The CW

Fox

MyNetworkTV

The entire schedule of programs for MyNetworkTV except for WWE Smackdown did not pass on to the 2009/10 season due to the network's conversion to a programming service.

NBC

See also

Top weekly ratings

Total Viewers

18-49 Viewers

Notes

References