The 2008âÂÂ09 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers the prime time hours from September 2008 to August 2009. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2007âÂÂ08 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, followed by ABC and The CW on May 13, CBS on May 14, Fox on May 15, and MyNetworkTV on May 22. The CW unveiled its Sunday lineup on May 27, 2008.
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcasts times for network shows may vary. Ion Television is also not included since the network's schedule consisted mainly of syndicated reruns and movies.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows released in May 2009 is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
New series to broadcast television are highlighted in bold. Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by .
All times are U.S. Eastern and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska, and HawaiiâÂÂAleutian times.
All sporting events air live in all time zones in U.S. Eastern time, with local and/or late-night programming scheduled by affiliates after game completion.
Legend
Sunday
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
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Notes:
- The Moment of Truth was originally scheduled to air Thursdays at 8:00 on Fox, but was instead shelved, effectively canceling it.
Friday
Saturday
By network
ABC
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2007âÂÂ08:
CBS
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2007âÂÂ08:
The CW
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2007âÂÂ08:
Fox
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2007âÂÂ08:
MyNetworkTV
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2007âÂÂ08:
NBC
Returning series:
New series:
Not returning from 2007âÂÂ08:
Renewals and cancellations
Full-season pickups
ABC
- Private PracticeâÂÂOn October 22, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.
- Samantha Who?âÂÂOn October 31, 2008, it received a full-season order, adding seven episodes.
CBS
- Gary UnmarriedâÂÂOn November 14, 2008, it was picked up for a full 22-episode season.
- The MentalistâÂÂOn October 15, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.
The CW
- 90210âÂÂOn September 22, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.
Fox
- FringeâÂÂOn October 1, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.
- 'âÂÂOn October 17, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order, despite its declining ratings this season.
- 'Til DeathâÂÂDespite lower ratings, Fox ordered a fourth season of the show.
MyNetworkTV
NBC
- ChuckâÂÂOn August 28, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order, one month before the new season even premiered.
- Knight RiderâÂÂOn October 21, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order, then on December 3, 2008, NBC cut the order down to 17.
- Kath & KimâÂÂOn October 31, 2008, was given a full-season order.
- LifeâÂÂOn November 7, 2008, NBC picked up Life for a full season.
- Howie Do ItâÂÂTwelve additional episodes were ordered by NBC.
Renewals
ABC
CBS
The CW
- 90210âÂÂRenewed for a second and third season on February 24, 2009.
- Gossip GirlâÂÂRenewed for a fourth season on February 24, 2009.
- One Tree HillâÂÂRenewed for a seventh season on February 24, 2009.
- SmallvilleâÂÂRenewed for a ninth season.
- SupernaturalâÂÂRenewed for a fifth season on February 24, 2009.
Fox
- 24âÂÂRenewed for an eighth and final season on May 16, 2007.
- American Dad!âÂÂRenewed for a fifth and sixth season on October 30, 2008.
- BonesâÂÂRenewed for a fifth and sixth season on May 16, 2009.
- DollhouseâÂÂRenewed for a second season on May 15, 2009.
- Family GuyâÂÂRenewed for an eighth season on May 5, 2008.
- Fringe â Renewed for a second season on April 26, 2009.
- HouseâÂÂRenewed for a sixth season.
- Lie to MeâÂÂRenewed for a second season on May 13, 2009.
- Kitchen NightmaresâÂÂRenewed for third season on March 22, 2009.
- The SimpsonsâÂÂRenewed for a twenty-first and twenty-second season on February 26, 2009.
- So You Think You Can DanceâÂÂRenewed for a sixth and seventh season on May 15, 2009.
- 'Til DeathâÂÂRenewed for a fourth season on January 9, 2009.
NBC
- 30 RockâÂÂRenewed for a fourth season on January 15, 2009.
- The ApprenticeâÂÂRenewed for a ninth season.
- ChuckâÂÂRenewed for a third season on May 17, 2009.
- HeroesâÂÂRenewed for a fourth season on March 5, 2008.
- Law & OrderâÂÂRenewed for a twentieth season.
- 'âÂÂRenewed for an eleventh season on April 3, 2009.
- The OfficeâÂÂRenewed for a sixth season on January 15, 2009.
- Parks and RecreationâÂÂRenewed for a second season.
Cancellations/Series endings
ABC
- According to JimâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009, after eight seasons. The series concluded on June 2, 2009.
- Boston LegalâÂÂIt was announced on May 13, 2008 that season five would be the final season. The series concluded on December 8, 2008.
- Cupid âÂÂCanceled on May 18, 2009.
- Defying GravityâÂÂCanceled on October 29, 2009.
- Dirty Sexy MoneyâÂÂCanceled on November 20, 2008 six episodes into the second season.
- Eli StoneâÂÂCanceled on November 20, 2008 five episodes into the second season.
- The Goode FamilyâÂÂCanceled on August 8, 2009.
- Homeland Security USAâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009.
- In the MotherhoodâÂÂCanceled on May 15, 2009.
- 'âÂÂCanceled on April 7, 2010, after three seasons.
- Life on MarsâÂÂCanceled on March 3, 2009. The series concluded on April 1, 2009.
- Opportunity KnocksâÂÂCanceled on October 16, 2008.
- Pushing DaisiesâÂÂCanceled on November 20, 2008 six episodes into the second season.
- Samantha Who?âÂÂCanceled on May 18, 2009, after two seasons.
- Surviving SuburbiaâÂÂCanceled on August 8, 2009.
- The UnusualsâÂÂCanceled on May 17, 2009.
CBS
- Eleventh Hour â Canceled on May 19, 2009.
- Elite XC Saturday Night Fights â On October 20, Elite XC shut down operations, thus cancelling the show.
- The Ex List â This was the first new drama of the season cancelled. The series was replaced with repeats of CBS dramas and new episodes of The Price Is Right Primetime.
- Game Show in My Head â Due to declining ratings, CBS decided not to air any more episodes.
- Harper's Island Cancelled on July 14, 2009.
- Million Dollar Password â Canceled due to declining ratings.
- The Unit â Canceled on May 19, 2009, after four seasons.
- Worst Week â Canceled on May 20, 2009.
- Without a Trace â Canceled on May 19, 2009, after seven seasons.
The CW
- 'âÂÂCanceled on May 21, 2009.
- Easy MoneyâÂÂMRC canceled the series on November 16, 2008.
- Everybody Hates ChrisâÂÂChris Rock chose to end the series after four seasons.
- The GameâÂÂCanceled on May 20, 2009. Moved to BET in January 2011.
- In Harm's WayâÂÂThe CW decided to get end the MRC Sunday night on November 23, 2008, effectively canceling the show.
- PrivilegedâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009.
- ReaperâÂÂCanceled on May 20, 2009, after two seasons.
- StylistaâÂÂCanceled on May 21, 2009.
- ValentineâÂÂCanceled on November 23, 2008.
Fox
- Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?âÂÂIt was announced on August 4, 2009, that the series would move to syndication. On November 6, 2014, it was announced that the series would return for a fourth season.
- Do Not DisturbâÂÂCanceled on September 25, 2008, marking the first cancellation of the season.
- Don't Forget the Lyrics!âÂÂCanceled on August 3, 2009, after two seasons. On January 25, 2010, it was announced that the series would move to syndication. On April 28, 2021, it was announced that the series would return for a third season.
- Hole in the WallâÂÂPulled from the schedule and canceled on May 18, 2009, due to poor ratings. On July 20, 2010, It was announced that Cartoon Network would pick up the series for another season.
- King of the HillâÂÂIt was announced on October 30, 2008, that season thirteen would be the final season. The series concluded on September 13, 2009. The last four episodes were aired on syndication on May 3 to 6, 2010. On January 31, 2023, it was announced that a revival on Hulu was officially confirmed to be ordered.
- MentalâÂÂCanceled on March 9, 2010.
- More to LoveâÂÂCanceled on March 9, 2010.
- Osbournes ReloadedâÂÂCanceled on May 18, 2009.
- Prison BreakâÂÂIt was announced on January 13, 2009, that season four would be the final season. The series concluded on May 15, 2009. On January 15, 2016, it was announced that the series would return for a fifth season.
- Secret MillionaireâÂÂCanceled on May 18, 2009. On September 10, 2009, it was announced that ABC would pick up the series for another season.
- Sit Down, Shut UpâÂÂPulled from the schedule and canceled on May 18, 2009. The remaining nine episodes aired on Saturdays at midnight from later in the year.
- 'âÂÂCanceled on May 18, 2009, after two seasons.
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
- America's Toughest JobsâÂÂCanceled on March 13, 2009.
- The Chopping BlockâÂÂCanceled on March 26, 2009.
- CrusoeâÂÂThe series concluded on January 31, 2009.
- Deal or No DealâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009. The syndicated version of the show got picked up by MyNetworkTV when it transitioned to a programming service.
- ERâÂÂIt was announced on April 2, 2008 that season fifteen would be the final season. The series concluded on April 2, 2009.
- Howie Do ItâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009.
- Kath & KimâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009.
- KingsâÂÂCanceled on April 21, 2009.
- Knight RiderâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009.
- LifeâÂÂCanceled on May 4, 2009, after two seasons.
- Lipstick JungleâÂÂCanceled on March 28, 2009, after two seasons.
- The ListenerâÂÂPulled from the schedule on July 23, 2009, after 8 episodes.
- MediumâÂÂIt was announced on May 19, 2009 that Medium will be moving to CBS next season.
- MerlinâÂÂCanceled during the summer due to declining ratings.
- Momma's BoysâÂÂCanceled on March 13, 2009.
- My Name Is EarlâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009, after four seasons.
- My Own Worst EnemyâÂÂCanceled on November 12, 2008. The series concluded on December 15, 2008.
- The PhilanthropistâÂÂCanceled on October 20, 2009.
- Superstars of DanceâÂÂCanceled on May 19, 2009.
See also
Top weekly ratings
Total Viewers
18-49 Viewers
Notes
References