The following is the 2003âÂÂ04 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 August 2004. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 2002âÂÂ03 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.
Other Legend
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Also not included are stations affiliated with Pax TV, as its schedule is composed mainly of syndicated reruns although it also carried a limited schedule of first-run programs.
The 2003âÂÂ2004 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 2004âÂÂ2005 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.
NOTE: On Fox, The Ortegas was supposed to air at 8:30-9, but it was cancelled.
NOTE: On The WB, Fearless was supposed to have started in the Fall at 9âÂÂ10, but it was delayed to midseason, then it was cancelled both due to production difficulties.
NOTE: On Fox, The O.C. was supposed to air at 9-10 after Tru Calling, but at the last minute stick with repeats.
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2002-03
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2002-03
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2002-03:
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2002-03:
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2002-03
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2002-03
Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.