The 2011âÂÂ12 network television schedule for the five major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers prime time hours from September 2011 through August 2012. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2010âÂÂ11 season.
NBC was the first to announce its fall schedule on May 15, 2011, followed by Fox on May 16, ABC on May 17, CBS on May 18 and The CW on May 19, 2011.
The CW was the first to announce their midseason schedule on November 2, 2011, followed by CBS and NBC on November 14, 2011, ABC on November 18, 2011, and Fox on December 1, 2011.
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. MyNetworkTV is also not included since its programming comprises syndicated reruns, with limited original programming. The CW is not included on weekends, when it does not offer network programming. Ion Television primarily airs syndicated reruns, along with new episodes of Flashpoint.
New series are highlighted in bold.
All times are U.S. Eastern Time and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central and Mountain times.
From July 27 to August 12, 2012, all of NBC's primetime programming was preempted in favor of coverage of the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
Legend
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
By network
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2010âÂÂ11:
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2010âÂÂ11:
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2010âÂÂ11:
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2010âÂÂ11:
Returning series
New series
Not returning from 2010âÂÂ11:
Renewals and cancellations
Full season pickups
ABC
- Happy EndingsâÂÂPicked up for a full season on November 3, 2011.
- Last Man StandingâÂÂPicked up for a full season on November 3, 2011.
- Once Upon a TimeâÂÂPicked up for a full season on November 3, 2011.
- RevengeâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 13, 2011.
- Shark TankâÂÂPicked up two additional episodes, totaling to 15 episodes on February 28, 2012.
- SuburgatoryâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 13, 2011.
CBS
The CW
- Hart of DixieâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 12, 2011.
- RingerâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 12, 2011.
- The Secret CircleâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 12, 2011.
Fox
- New GirlâÂÂPicked up for 24 episodes on September 28, 2011.
NBC
- GrimmâÂÂPicked up for a full season on November 21, 2011.
- Harry's LawâÂÂPicked up for a full season on January 6, 2012.
- Up All NightâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 4, 2011, plus an additional 2 episodes on November 21, 2011.
- WhitneyâÂÂPicked up for a full season on October 4, 2011.
Renewals
ABC
- 20/20âÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a thirty-fifth season on May 15, 2012.
- America's Funniest Home VideosâÂÂPicked up for a twenty-third season on May 11, 2012.
- The BachelorâÂÂPicked up for a seventeenth cycle on May 10, 2012.
- Body of ProofâÂÂPicked up for a third season on May 11, 2012.
- CastleâÂÂPicked up for a fifth season on May 10, 2012.
- Dancing with the StarsâÂÂPicked up for a fifteenth cycle on May 10, 2012.
- Don't Trust the B---- in Apartment 23âÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
- Grey's AnatomyâÂÂPicked up for a ninth season on May 10, 2012.
- Happy EndingsâÂÂPicked up for a third season on May 11, 2012.
- Last Man StandingâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
- The MiddleâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 10, 2012.
- Modern FamilyâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 10, 2012.
- Once Upon a TimeâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 10, 2012.
- PrimetimeâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a twenty-fourth season on May 15, 2012.
- Private PracticeâÂÂPicked up for a sixth and final season on May 11, 2012.
- RevengeâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 10, 2012.
- Saturday Night FootballâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a seventh season on May 15, 2012.
- ScandalâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
- Shark TankâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 10, 2012.
- SuburgatoryâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 10, 2012.
- Wife SwapâÂÂPicked up for an eighth season on May 11, 2012.
CBS
- 2 Broke GirlsâÂÂPicked up for a second season on March 14, 2012.
- 48 HoursâÂÂPicked up for a twenty-fifth season on March 14, 2012.
- 60 MinutesâÂÂPicked up for a forty-fifth season on March 14, 2012.
- The Amazing RaceâÂÂPicked up for a twenty-first cycle on March 14, 2012.
- The Big Bang TheoryâÂÂPicked up for two additional seasons on January 12, 2011, running through its seventh season in 2013/14.
- Blue BloodsâÂÂPicked up for a third season on March 14, 2012.
- Criminal MindsâÂÂPicked up for an eighth season on March 14, 2012.
- 'âÂÂPicked up for a thirteenth season on March 14, 2012.
- 'âÂÂPicked up for a ninth season on May 13, 2012.
- The Good WifeâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on March 14, 2012.
- Hawaii Five-0âÂÂPicked up for a third season on March 14, 2012.
- How I Met Your MotherâÂÂPicked up for an eighth season on March 4, 2011.
- The MentalistâÂÂPicked up for a fifth season on March 14, 2012.
- Mike & MollyâÂÂPicked up for a third season on March 14, 2012.
- NCISâÂÂPicked up for a tenth season on March 14, 2012.
- 'âÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on March 14, 2012.
- Person of InterestâÂÂPicked up for a second season on March 14, 2012.
- Rules of EngagementâÂÂPicked up for a seventh season on May 21, 2012.
- SurvivorâÂÂPicked up for two more cycles in the 2012/13 season on November 17, 2011.
- Two and a Half MenâÂÂPicked up for a tenth season on May 12, 2012, which is fully recovered from the firing of star Charlie Sheen.
- Undercover BossâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on March 14, 2012.
- UnforgettableâÂÂRevived for a second season on June 29, 2012.
The CW
- 90210âÂÂPicked up for a fifth season on May 3, 2012.
- America's Next Top ModelâÂÂPicked up for a nineteenth cycle on February 21, 2012.
- Gossip GirlâÂÂPicked up for a sixth and final season on May 11, 2012.
- Hart of DixieâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
- NikitaâÂÂPicked up for a third season on May 11, 2012.
- SupernaturalâÂÂPicked up for an eighth season on May 3, 2012.
- The Vampire DiariesâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 3, 2012.
Fox
- American Dad!âÂÂPicked up for a seventh production cycle on February 23, 2011.
- American IdolâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a twelfth season on May 14, 2012.
- Bob's BurgersâÂÂOn October 31, 2011, Fox ordered 9 additional episodes to the second production cycle, leaving some episodes out, airing in the 2012/13 season.
- BonesâÂÂPicked up for an eighth season on March 29, 2012.
- The Cleveland ShowâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 9, 2011.
- Family GuyâÂÂPicked up for an eleventh season on May 9, 2011.
- FringeâÂÂPicked up for a fifth and final season on April 26, 2012.
- GleeâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on April 9, 2012.
- Kitchen NightmaresâÂÂPicked up for a fifth production cycle on February 2, 2012.
- MobbedâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for more specials on May 14, 2012.
- New GirlâÂÂPicked up for a second season on April 9, 2012.
- Raising HopeâÂÂPicked up for a third season on April 9, 2012.
- The SimpsonsâÂÂPicked up for a twenty-third production cycle on November 11, 2010, plus an additional extension through its twenty-fifth production cycle in 2013/14.
- TouchâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 9, 2012.
- The X FactorâÂÂPicked up for a second season on November 2, 2011.
Ion Television
- FlashpointâÂÂPicked up for a fifth season on January 3, 2012.
NBC
- 30 RockâÂÂPicked up for a seventh and final season on May 10, 2012.
- The ApprenticeâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a thirteenth cycle on May 13, 2012.
- Betty White's Off Their RockersâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a second season on May 13, 2012.
- The Biggest LoserâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a fourteenth cycle on May 13, 2012.
- CommunityâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 10, 2012.
- Dateline NBCâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a twenty-second season on May 13, 2012.
- Fashion StarâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
- Football Night in AmericaâÂÂOn August 19, 2009, NBC announced they will extend NFL on NBC through 2013, plus an additional extension through 2022 on December 14, 2011.
- GrimmâÂÂPicked up for a second season on March 16, 2012.
- 'âÂÂPicked up for a fourteenth season on May 9, 2012.
- NBC Sunday Night FootballâÂÂOn August 19, 2009, NBC announced they will extend NFL on NBC through 2013, plus an additional extension through 2022 on December 14, 2011.
- The OfficeâÂÂPicked up for a ninth and final season on May 11, 2012.
- ParenthoodâÂÂPicked up for a fourth season on May 10, 2012.
- Parks and RecreationâÂÂPicked up for a fifth season on May 11, 2012.
- Rock Center with Brian WilliamsâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a second season on May 13, 2012.
- SmashâÂÂPicked up for a second season on March 22, 2012.
- Up All NightâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
- The VoiceâÂÂAnnounced on the 2012/13 schedule for a third season on May 13, 2012.
- WhitneyâÂÂPicked up for a second season on May 11, 2012.
Cancellations/Series endings
ABC
- Bachelor PadâÂÂIt was announced on March 16, 2013, that would not pick for the fourth season.
- Charlie's AngelsâÂÂCanceled on October 14, 2011, after seven low rated episodes. The remaining episodes aired through November 10, 2011.
- Cougar TownâÂÂIt was announced on May 10, 2012, that TBS would carry future seasons of the series, ending its run on ABC.
- Desperate HousewivesâÂÂIt was announced on August 5, 2011, that season eight would be the final season. The series concluded on May 13, 2012.
- 'âÂÂCanceled as a regular series on December 15, 2011. The series finale aired on January 13, 2012. Moved to HGTV in 2020. On June 7, 2023, it was announced that the show would later return to ABC in the 2024-25 schedule.
- GCBâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- Man Up!âÂÂCanceled on December 8, 2011, after eight low rated episodes. The 5 remaining episodes were moved to ABC's online website.
- MissingâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- Pan AmâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- The RiverâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- Work ItâÂÂCanceled on January 13, 2012, due to low ratings, harsh reviews and controversy after airing only 2 episodes.
- You Deserve ItâÂÂCanceled on May 15, 2012.
CBS
- 'âÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012, after ten seasons. The series was credited as a key player in the network's ratings rise. This is the first CSI series to be canceled.
- A Gifted ManâÂÂCanceled on May 12, 2012.
- How to Be a GentlemanâÂÂCanceled, cut back from 13 episodes to 9 episodes, and changed the airdate from Thursdays to Saturdays for the remaining episodes on October 7, 2011, after only 2 episodes airing. The series was later pulled from Saturdays on October 18, 2011, after only one episode airing on Saturday.
- NYC 22âÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012.
- RobâÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012.
The CW
- H8RâÂÂCanceled on October 6, 2011, after four low rated episodes.
- One Tree HillâÂÂIt was announced on May 19, 2011, that season nine would be the final season. The series concluded on April 4, 2012.
- RemodeledâÂÂCanceled on February 9, 2012, after four low rated episodes. The remaining episodes aired through between February 22; and the last two episodes were August 13 and 20, 2012.
- RingerâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- The Secret CircleâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
Fox
- AlcatrazâÂÂCanceled on May 9, 2012.
- Allen GregoryâÂÂCanceled on January 8, 2012.
- Breaking InâÂÂOfficially canceled on May 10, 2012.
- The FinderâÂÂCanceled on May 9, 2012.
- HouseâÂÂIt was announced on February 8, 2012, that season eight would be the final season. The series concluded on May 21, 2012.
- I Hate My Teenage DaughterâÂÂCanceled on May 10, 2012.
- Napoleon DynamiteâÂÂCanceled on May 14, 2012.
- Q'Viva! The ChosenâÂÂCanceled on May 14, 2012.
- Terra NovaâÂÂCanceled on March 5, 2012, but being shopped to other networks.
NBC
- Are You There, Chelsea?âÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- AwakeâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- BentâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- Best Friends ForeverâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012.
- ChuckâÂÂIt was announced on May 15, 2011, that season five would be the final season. The series concluded on January 27, 2012.
- Escape RoutesâÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012.
- Fear FactorâÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012. Was revived for MTV in May 2017.
- The FirmâÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012.
- Free AgentsâÂÂCanceled on October 6, 2011, after four low rated episodes.
- Harry's LawâÂÂCanceled on May 11, 2012, after two seasons.
- The Playboy ClubâÂÂCanceled on October 4, 2011, after three low rated episodes. This was the first cancellation of the season.
- Prime SuspectâÂÂCanceled on January 5, 2012.
- The Sing-OffâÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012. Renewed for a fourth season on March 14, 2013.
- Who Do You Think You Are?âÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012. Moved to TLC in July 2013. The series later returned to NBC in the 2021-22 schedule.
- Who's Still Standing?âÂÂCanceled on May 13, 2012.
See also
Top weekly ratings
Total Viewers
18âÂÂ49 Viewers
Notes
References