2004–05 United States network television schedule explained

The 2004–05 network television schedule for the six major English-language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers the prime time hours from September 2004 to August 2005. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2003–04 television season.

Beginning this season, largely resulting from continuing declines in prime time television viewership on that night of the week, the major networks ceased producing original scripted programs for broadcast on Saturday evenings (an exception being ABC's The Wonderful World of Disney, although it often featured rebroadcast material, mainly in the form of Disney theatrical films). From this point on, Saturday prime time network schedules would instead consist of nonfiction reality-based programs, rebroadcasts of scripted prime time series (most commonly featuring dramatic series), unaired episodes of de facto cancelled series that were being "burned off" after having been pulled from their previous timeslot on a different night, theatrical or made-for-television movies, and/or sporting events (which became increasingly common in the time period beginning with the 2012–13 season).

PBS is not included, as member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Pax TV (now Ion Television) is also not included; although the network aired a few original first-run series, Pax's schedule at the time consisted primarily of syndicated reruns and movies.

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows released in May 2005 is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.[1]

New series are highlighted in bold.

Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by .

All times are U.S. Eastern and Pacific Time, except for certain live events (such as Monday Night Football) that are broadcast simultaneously in all time zones. Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska, and Hawaii-Aleutian times.

All sporting events air live in all time zones, with local and/or late-night programming (including those normally aired by Fox affiliates during the 10:00 p.m. ET/PT hour) being shown after the game's completion.

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 Videos Desperate Housewives Boston Legal
SpringGrey's Anatomy
SummerMy Kind of TownDesperate Housewives
CBS60 Minutes Cold Case CBS Sunday Movie
FoxFallKing of the HillMalcolm in the MiddleThe SimpsonsArrested DevelopmentMy Big Fat Obnoxious BossLocal programming
WinterFamily Guy The Simpsons
Late winterThe Simpsons Kelsey Grammer Presents: The Sketch Show
Late springThe SimpsonsFamily GuyAmerican Dad!
SummerMalcolm in the Middle King of the Hill The Simpsons
Mid-summerThe Princes of Malibu
Late summerThe Simpsons
NBCFallDateline NBCAmerican Dreams Crossing Jordan
WinterThe Contender
SummerDateline NBC
The WBFallSteve Harvey's Big Time ChallengeCharmedJack & BobbyLocal programming
Mid-fallThe Mountain
WinterSummerlandSteve Harvey's Big Time Challenge
SpringCharmed
SummerWB Sunday Movie

Monday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallThe BenefactorNFL Monday ShowcaseMonday Night Football
NovemberLife of Luxury
WinterThe BacheloretteSupernanny
SpringThe Bachelor
SummerThe ScholarThe ABC Monday Night Movie
Mid-SummerThe ABC Monday Night Movie
CBSFallStill StandingListen UpEverybody Loves Raymond Two and a Half Men
MayEverybody Loves Raymond (R)
SummerStill Standing
Mid-SummerThe King of Queens (R)Everybody Loves Raymond Two and a Half Men Rock Star
FoxFallNorth ShoreRenovate My FamilyLocal programming
Follow-upTrading Spouses: Meet Your New MommyThe Swan
Winter24
Late WinterAmerican Idol
SpringNanny 911
SummerHell's Kitchen
NBCFallFear FactorLas VegasLAX
November$25 Million Dollar Hoax
December Various Programming
WinterMedium
UPNFallOne on OneHalf & HalfGirlfriendsSecond Time AroundLocal programming
WinterCutsHalf & Half
SummerAll of Us
The WBFall7th HeavenEverwood
SpringSummerland
Follow-upEverwood
SummerSummerland
Note: Fox originally scheduled Athens (a drama series that was to center on the lives of a group of young adults in a fictional New England college town) as a midseason replacement in the 8:00 p.m. ET slot; however, the network cancelled the series last-minute.

Tuesday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallMy Wife & KidsGeorge LopezAccording to JimRodneyNYPD Blue
SpringBlind Justice
Mid-SummerEmpire
Late SummerAccording to Jim Rodney Boston Legal
CBSFallNCIS ClubhouseJudging Amy
NovemberThe Amazing Race
SummerFire Me...Please48 Hours
Mid-SummerBig BrotherRock Star
FoxFallTrading Spouses: Meet Your New MommyThe Next Great ChampLocal programming
Late FallHouse
WinterAmerican Idol
SummerTrading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy
NBCFallLast Comic StandingFather of the PrideScrubs
Late FallThe Biggest Loser
WinterThe Biggest LoserScrubsCommitted
Mid-Winter Most Outrageous Moments / (R)
SpringWill & Grace (R)Scrubs (R)The Office
Late SpringMost Outrageous MomentsMost Outrageous Moments
SummerAverage Joe: The Joes Strike BackI Want To Be a Hilton
Mid-SummerMeet Mister Mom
Late Summer Various ProgrammingTommy Lee Goes to CollegeThe Office
UPNFallAll of UsEveVeronica MarsLocal programming
Late Spring The Bad Girl's Guide
Summer Half & HalfGirlfriends
Mid-SummerOne on OneAll of UsHalf & Half
Late SummerEveR U the Girl with T-Boz and Chilli
The WBFallGilmore GirlsOne Tree Hill
WinterHigh School Reunion
Mid-WinterOne Tree Hill
SpringThe Starlet
Follow-upOne Tree Hill
Notes:

Wednesday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallLost The BachelorWife Swap
WinterAlias
SpringEyes
SummerSupernannyDancing with the StarsLost
Mid-SummerBrat CampBrat Camp
CBSFall60 Minutes
Follow-up60 Minutes WednesdayThe King of QueensCenter of the Universe
WinterYes, Dear
Mid-SummerThe CutRock StarThe King of Queens
Follow-upStill StandingYes, Dear
FoxFallThat '70s ShowQuintupletsThe Bernie Mac ShowThe Bernie Mac ShowLocal programming
Follow-upNanny 911
WinterThe Simple LifeAmerican Idol
Spring American Idol Life on a Stick
Mid-SpringThe Simple LifeStacked
Late Spring That '70s ShowThat '70s ShowStacked
SummerStackedThe Inside
Mid-SummerSo You Think You Can DanceThe Bernie Mac Show
NBCFallHawaiiThe West Wing
Law & Order
Follow-upLAX
WinterSports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search
SpringAmerican Dreams
Follow-upDateline NBCRevelations
SummerPsychic DetectivesLaw & Order
Mid-SummerMost Outrageous MomentsMost Outrageous Moments
Late SummerMeet Mister Mom
UPNFallAmerica's Next Top ModelKevin HillLocal programming
WinterThe Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott
SpringAmerica's Next Top Model
SummerEveEveVeronica Mars
Mid-SummerR U the Girl with T-Boz and Chilli
The WBFallSmallvilleThe Mountain
Follow-upJack & Bobby
Late FallBig Man on Campus
WinterJack & Bobby
SummerBeauty and the GeekSmallville
Mid-SummerOne Tree Hill
Note: Fox originally intended for Method & Red to remain in the 9:30 p.m. ET slot, but cancelled it due to low ratings. The network also intended to air Life on a Stick at 8:30 p.m. ET and The Bernie Mac Show at 9:30 p.m. ET in midseason, but ultimately chose instead to air That '70s Show and Life on a Stick in those respective timeslots.

Thursday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFallExtreme MakeoverLife as We Know ItPrimetime Live
JanuaryLife as We Know ItExtreme Makeover
Follow-upExtreme Makeover
SpringJake in ProgressJake in Progress
Follow-upABC Thursday Night Movie
Mid-SummerExtreme MakeoverHooking Up
CBSFall Without a Trace
JanuaryWickedly Perfect
February
SummerThe Cut
Mid-SummerBig Brother
FoxFallThe O.C.North ShoreLocal programming
WinterPoint Pleasant
SpringTru Calling
SummerThe O.C.
Mid-SummerThat '70s ShowThat '70s Show
NBCFallJoeyWill & GraceThe Apprentice
ER
JuneHit Me Baby, One More Time
JulyJoeyWill & GraceWill & Grace
Follow-upWill & GraceThe Law Firm
AugustScrubsWill & Grace
UPNWWE Thursday Night SmackDown!Local programming
The WBFallBlue Collar TVDrew Carey's Green Screen ShowVarious drama encores (R)
Follow-upThe WB Thursday Night Movie
SpringBlue Collar TVBlue Collar TVBlue Collar TVBlue Collar TV
SummerBeauty and the Geek
Mid-SummerSmallvilleEverwood
Note: Fox originally intended to place Tru Calling in the 9:00 p.m. ET slot, but elected to push up its second season to Spring and run North Shore in the Fall instead.

Friday

Network8:00 PM8:30 PM9:00 PM9:30 PM10:00 PM10:30 PM
ABCFall8 Simple RulesComplete SavagesHope & FaithLess than Perfect20/20
Winter8 Simple Rules (R)
SpringAmerica's Funniest Home Videos
Summer8 Simple RulesHope & Faith
CBSFallJoan of ArcadiaJAGDr. Vegas
Follow-up (R)
WinterNumb3rs
SummerJAG
Mid-Summer60 Minutes IIThe Cut
FoxFallThe Complex: MalibuThe Next Great Champ (R) Local programming
Follow-upThe Simpsons (R)That '70s Show (R)The Complex: Malibu
Late FallTotally Outrageous BehaviorWorld's Craziest VideosRenovate My Family
DecemberFox Friday Night Movie
WinterThe Bernie Mac ShowThe Bernie Mac ShowJonny Zero
SpringMalcolm in the MiddleNanny 911
Follow-upFox Friday Night Movie
Late SummerThe Bernie Mac ShowArrested DevelopmentMalcolm in the MiddleArrested Development
NBCFallDateline NBCThird WatchMedical Investigation
SpringMedical Investigation
Mid-SpringThird Watch
SummerDateline NBC
Late SummerCrossing Jordan
UPNFallAmerica's Next Top Model (R)Local programming
WinterThe Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott (R)
SpringAmerica's Next Top Model (R)
SummerUPN's Night at the Movies
The WBFallWhat I Like About YouGrounded for LifeRebaBlue Collar TV
Follow-upReba (R)
Late FallBlue Collar TV
WinterBlue Collar TV
SpringReba (R)Living With Fran
SummerWhat I Like About You
Mid-SummerBlue Collar TV
Notes:

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 DisneyDesperate Housewives
SpringLittle House on the PrairieABC Saturday Movie of the Week
Late springThe Wonderful World of DisneyDesperate Housewives
SummerAmerica's Funniest Home Videos
CBSFallCrimetime Saturday48 Hours Mystery
WinterThe WillCrimetime Saturday
Mid-winterCrimetime Saturday
Late winterWickedly PerfectCrimetime Saturday
SpringCrimetime Saturday
SummerBig BrotherCrimetime Saturday
FoxCOPSCOPS America's Most WantedLocal programming
NBCFallVarious programming
Mid-fallNBC Saturday Night Movie
WinterLaw & Order
Late winterLAX
SpringCrossing Jordan Law & Order
SummerNBC Saturday Night MovieDateline NBC

By network

ABC

Returning series

New series

Not returning from 2003–04:

CBS

Returning series

New series

Not returning from 2003–04:

Fox

Returning series

New series

Not returning from 2003–04:

NBC

Returning series

New series

Not returning from 2003–04:

UPN

Returning series

New series

Not returning from 2003–04:

The WB

Returning series

New series

Not returning from 2003–04:

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

Notes and References

  1. Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported in: Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine. .