2004–05 United States network television schedule

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 is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.

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 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.

Legend
Light blue indicates local programming.

Gray indicates encore programming.

Blue-gray indicates news programming.

Light green indicates sporting events.

Light purple indicates movies.

Red indicates series being burned off and other regularly scheduled programs, including specials.

Yellow highlights indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.

Cyan indicates the top 20 most watched programs of the season.

Magenta indicates the top 30 most watched programs of the season.

Monday
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
Notes:
 * NBC originally intended for Average Joe to air on its Fall schedule in the 8:00 p.m. ET slot; it chose to delay the reality dating series to Summer. The network originally scheduled The Contender to premiere on March 1, 2005 in the 8:00 p.m. ET slot, but opted to delay its premiere to March 9, before switching timeslots with American Dreams, which had been airing on Sundays during that hour.
 * Fox originally intended to air a Fall run of legal drama The Jury (which premiered on June 8) in its existing Tuesday slot prior to November; however on July 27, it cancelled the series due to low ratings. (The two remaining episodes of its 10-episode order aired as scheduled on July 30 and August 6.)

Wednesday
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
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
Notes:
 * Fox originally planned to keep The Jury on Fridays, while also slotting The Next Great Champ as its lead-in in the 8:00 p.m. ET hour; because of The Jury's cancellation, The Complex: Malibu was picked up last-minute to occupy the slot. The network also originally scheduled The Inside in the 8:00 p.m. ET hour (leading into Jonny Zero) for midseason.
 * The WB originally scheduled the sitcom Commando Nanny in the 9:30 p.m. ET slot; however, it was cancelled prior to the start of the Fall schedule due to production difficulties, resulting in its substitution by Blue Collar TV.

ABC
Returning series
 * 20/20
 * 8 Simple Rules
 * The ABC Monday Night Movie
 * ABC Thursday Night Movie
 * According to Jim
 * Alias
 * America's Funniest Home Videos
 * The Bachelor
 * The Bachelorette
 * Extreme Makeover
 * Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
 * George Lopez
 * Hope & Faith
 * Less than Perfect
 * Monday Night Football
 * My Wife and Kids
 * NYPD Blue
 * Primetime Live
 * The Wonderful World of Disney

New series
 * ABC Saturday Movie of the Week
 * The Benefactor
 * Blind Justice *
 * Boston Legal
 * Brat Camp *
 * Complete Savages
 * Dancing with the Stars *
 * Desperate Housewives
 * Empire *
 * Eyes *
 * Grey's Anatomy *
 * Hooking Up *
 * Jake in Progress *
 * Life as We Know It
 * Life of Luxury *
 * Lost
 * My Kind of Town *
 * Rodney
 * The Scholar *
 * Supernanny *
 * Wife Swap

Not returning from 2003–04:
 * 10-8: Officers on Duty
 * The Big House
 * The D.A.
 * The Drew Carey Show
 * I'm With Her
 * It's All Relative
 * Karen Sisco
 * Kingdom Hospital
 * Life with Bonnie
 * Line of Fire
 * Married to the Kellys
 * NHL on ABC (returned for 2021–22)
 * The Practice
 * Threat Matrix
 * The Ultimate Love Test

CBS
Returning series
 * 48 Hours
 * 60 Minutes
 * The Amazing Race
 * Big Brother
 * Cold Case
 * CBS Sunday Movie
 * CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
 * CSI: Miami
 * Everybody Loves Raymond
 * JAG
 * Joan of Arcadia
 * Judging Amy
 * The King of Queens
 * National Treasure
 * NCIS
 * Still Standing
 * Survivor
 * Two and a Half Men
 * Without a Trace
 * Yes, Dear

New series
 * Center of the Universe
 * Clubhouse
 * Crimetime Saturday
 * CSI: NY
 * The Cut *
 * Dr. Vegas
 * Fire Me...Please *
 * Listen Up
 * Numb3rs
 * Rock Star *
 * Wickedly Perfect *
 * The Will *

Not returning from 2003–04:
 * Becker
 * The Brotherhood of Poland, New Hampshire
 * Century City
 * The District
 * The Guardian
 * Hack
 * The Handler
 * Star Search
 * The Stones

Fox
Returning series
 * 24
 * America's Most Wanted
 * American Idol
 * Arrested Development
 * The Bernie Mac Show
 * Cops
 * Family Guy
 * King of the Hill
 * Malcolm in the Middle
 * The O.C.
 * The Simple Life
 * The Simpsons
 * That '70s Show
 * The Swan
 * Totally Outrageous Behavior
 * Tru Calling

New series
 * American Dad! *
 * The Complex: Malibu *
 * Hell's Kitchen *
 * House
 * The Inside *
 * Jonny Zero *
 * Life on a Stick *
 * My Big Fat Obnoxious Boss
 * Nanny 911
 * The Next Great Champ *
 * North Shore *
 * Quintuplets
 * Point Pleasant *
 * The Princes of Malibu *
 * The Rebel Billionaire: Branson's Quest for the Best
 * Renovate My Family *
 * The Sketch Show *
 * So You Think You Can Dance *
 * Stacked *
 * Trading Spouses
 * Who's Your Daddy? *
 * World's Craziest Videos *

Not returning from 2003–04:
 * A Minute with Stan Hooper
 * American Juniors
 * Boston Public
 * Cracking Up
 * Forever Eden
 * Joe Millionaire (revived and returned for 2021–22)
 * Luis
 * Method & Red
 * My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance
 * Oliver Beene
 * Skin (returned to Soapnet in 2005)
 * Wonderfalls

NBC
Returning series
 * American Dreams
 * The Apprentice
 * Crossing Jordan
 * Dateline NBC
 * ER
 * Fear Factor
 * Las Vegas
 * Last Comic Standing
 * Law & Order
 * Law & Order: Criminal Intent
 * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
 * Scrubs
 * Third Watch
 * The West Wing
 * Will & Grace

New series
 * $25 Million Dollar Hoax *
 * The Biggest Loser
 * Committed *
 * The Contender *
 * Father of the Pride
 * Hawaii
 * Hit Me Baby, One More Time *
 * Joey
 * Law & Order: Trial by Jury *
 * The Law Firm *
 * LAX
 * Medical Investigation
 * Medium *
 * Meet Mister Mom *
 * Most Outrageous Moments *
 * The Office *
 * Revelations *
 * Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Search *
 * Tommy Lee Goes to College *
 * I Want To Be a Hilton *

Not returning from 2003–04:
 * Average Joe
 * Boomtown
 * Come to Papa
 * Coupling
 * Crime & Punishment
 * Ed
 * Frasier (revived by Paramount+ in 2022)
 * Friends (returned on HBO Max in 2021)
 * Good Morning Miami
 * Happy Family
 * The Lyon's Den
 * Miss Match
 * The Restaurant
 * The Tracy Morgan Show
 * Whoopi

UPN
Returning series
 * All of Us
 * America's Next Top Model
 * Eve
 * Girlfriends
 * Half & Half
 * One on One
 * Star Trek: Enterprise
 * UPN's Night at the Movies
 * WWE SmackDown

New series
 * The Bad Girl's Guide *
 * Britney and Kevin: Chaotic *
 * Cuts *
 * Kevin Hill
 * The Road to Stardom with Missy Elliott *
 * R U the Girl with T-Boz & Chilli. *
 * Second Time Around
 * Veronica Mars

Not returning from 2003–04:
 * Amish in the City
 * Game Over
 * Jake 2.0
 * The Mullets
 * The Parkers
 * The Player
 * Rock Me Baby

The WB
Returning series
 * 7th Heaven
 * Blue Collar TV
 * Charmed
 * Everwood
 * Flix From the Frog
 * Gilmore Girls
 * Grounded for Life
 * High School Reunion
 * One Tree Hill
 * Reba
 * Smallville
 * Steve Harvey's Big Time
 * Summerland
 * The WB Thursday Night Movie
 * What I Like About You

New series
 * Big Man on Campus
 * Drew Carey's Green Screen Show *
 * Jack & Bobby
 * Living With Fran
 * The Mountain
 * The Starlet *

Not returning from 2003–04:
 * All About the Andersons
 * Angel
 * The Help
 * The Jamie Kennedy Experiment
 * Like Family
 * Run of the House
 * The Surreal Life
 * Tarzan

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.

ABC

 * According to Jim—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Alias—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Boston Legal—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Desperate Housewives—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * George Lopez—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Grey's Anatomy—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Hope & Faith—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Jake in Progress—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Less than Perfect—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Lost—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Rodney—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.

CBS

 * Cold Case—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * CSI: Crime Scene Investigation—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * CSI: Miami—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * CSI: NY—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * The King of Queens—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * NCIS—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Numbers—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Still Standing—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Two and a Half Men—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Without a Trace—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Yes, Dear—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.

Fox

 * 24—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * American Dad!—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Arrested Development—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * The Bernie Mac Show—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * House—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * King of the Hill—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Malcolm in the Middle—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * The O.C.—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * The Simpsons—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Stacked—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * That '70s Show—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.

NBC

 * Crossing Jordan—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * ER—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Joey—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Las Vegas—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Law & Order—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Law & Order: Criminal Intent—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Medium—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * The Office—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Scrubs—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * The West Wing—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Will & Grace—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.

UPN

 * All of Us—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Cuts—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Eve—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Girlfriends—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Half & Half—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * One on One—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Veronica Mars—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.

The WB

 * 7th Heaven—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Charmed—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Everwood—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Gilmore Girls—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Living With Fran—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * One Tree Hill—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Reba—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * Smallville—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.
 * What I Like About You—Renewed for the 2005–2006 season.

ABC

 * 8 Simple Rules—Ended after three seasons.
 * Blind Justice—Canceled after one season.
 * Complete Savages—Canceled after one season.
 * Eyes—Canceled after one season.
 * Life as We Know It—Canceled after one season.
 * My Wife and Kids—Ended after five seasons.
 * NYPD Blue—Ended after twelve seasons.

CBS

 * Center of the Universe—Canceled after one season.
 * Clubhouse—Canceled after one season.
 * Dr. Vegas—Canceled after one season.
 * Everybody Loves Raymond—Ended after nine seasons.
 * JAG—Ended after ten seasons.
 * Joan of Arcadia—Canceled after two seasons.
 * Judging Amy—Ended after six seasons.
 * Listen Up—Canceled after one season.

Fox

 * The Inside—Canceled after one season.
 * Jonny Zero—Canceled after one season.
 * Life on a Stick—Canceled after one season.
 * North Shore—Canceled after one season.
 * Point Pleasant—Canceled after one season.
 * Quintuplets—Canceled after one season.
 * Tru Calling—Canceled after two seasons.

NBC

 * American Dreams—Ended after three seasons.
 * Committed—Canceled after one season.
 * Father of the Pride—Canceled after one season.
 * Hawaii—Canceled after one season.
 * LAX—Canceled after one season.
 * Medical Investigation—Canceled after one season.
 * Third Watch—Ended after six seasons.

UPN

 * The Bad Girl's Guide—Canceled after one season.
 * Kevin Hill—Canceled after one season.
 * Second Time Around—Canceled after one season.
 * Star Trek: Enterprise—Ended after four seasons.

The WB

 * Grounded for Life—Ended after five seasons.
 * Jack & Bobby—Canceled after one season.
 * The Mountain—Canceled after one season.
 * Summerland—Canceled after two seasons.