2008–09 United States network television schedule

The 2008–09 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 2007–08 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.

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 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 some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian times.

All sporting events air live in all time zones in U.S. Eastern time, with local and/or late-night programming (including Fox affiliates during the 10 p.m. ET/PT hour) by affiliates after game completion.

Legend
Light blue indicates local programming.

Gray indicates encore programming.

Blue-gray indicates news programming.

Light green indicates sporting events.

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

Light gold indicates programming produced outside of the United States.

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

Cyan highlights indicates numbers 11-20 most watched programs of the season.

Magenta highlights indicates numbers 21-30 most watched programs of the season.

Highlights indicates that it falls in multiple of the above categories.

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.

Thursday
Notes:
 * The Moment of Truth was originally scheduled to air Thursdays at 8:00 on Fox, but was instead shelved, effectively canceling it.

ABC
Returning series:
 * 20/20
 * ABC Saturday Movie of the Week
 * According to Jim
 * America's Funniest Home Videos
 * The Bachelor
 * The Bachelorette
 * Boston Legal
 * Brothers & Sisters
 * Dancing with the Stars
 * Desperate Housewives
 * Dirty Sexy Money
 * Eli Stone
 * Extreme Makeover: Home Edition
 * Grey's Anatomy
 * Here Come the Newlyweds
 * I Survived a Japanese Game Show
 * Just for Laughs
 * Lost
 * Primetime
 * Primetime: What Would You Do?
 * Private Practice
 * Pushing Daisies
 * Samantha Who?
 * Saturday Night Football
 * Scrubs (moved from NBC)
 * Supernanny
 * Ugly Betty
 * Wife Swap
 * Wipeout

New series:
 * Better Off Ted *
 * Castle *
 * Crash Course *
 * Cupid *
 * Dating in the Dark *
 * Defying Gravity *
 * The Goode Family *
 * Homeland Security USA *
 * Life on Mars
 * Opportunity Knocks
 * Shaq Vs. *
 * Shark Tank *
 * The Superstars *
 * Surviving Suburbia *
 * True Beauty *
 * The Unusuals *

Not returning from 2007–08:
 * The ABC Friday Night Movie
 * Big Shots
 * Carpoolers
 * Cashmere Mafia
 * Cavemen
 * Dance Machine
 * Dance War: Bruno vs. Carrie Ann
 * Duel
 * High School Musical: Get in the Picture
 * Hopkins
 * Men in Trees
 * Miss Guided
 * The Mole
 * Notes from the Underbelly
 * October Road
 * Oprah's Big Give
 * Wanna Bet?
 * Women's Murder Club
 * The Wonderful World of Disney (returned for 2019–20)

CBS
Returning series:
 * 48 Hours
 * 60 Minutes
 * The Amazing Race
 * The Big Bang Theory
 * Big Brother
 * Cold Case
 * Criminal Minds
 * CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
 * CSI: Miami
 * CSI: NY
 * Flashpoint
 * Ghost Whisperer
 * How I Met Your Mother
 * Million Dollar Password
 * NCIS
 * The New Adventures of Old Christine
 * Numb3rs
 * Rules of Engagement
 * Survivor
 * Two and a Half Men
 * The Unit
 * Without a Trace

New series:
 * Eleventh Hour
 * Elite XC Saturday Night Fights
 * The Ex List
 * Game Show in My Head *
 * Gary Unmarried
 * Harper's Island *
 * The Mentalist
 * There Goes the Neighborhood *
 * Worst Week

Not returning from 2007–08:
 * Cane
 * Jericho (reruns to broadcast on The CW, from late 2008)
 * Kid Nation
 * Moonlight
 * Power of 10
 * Secret Talents of the Stars
 * Shark
 * Swingtown
 * Viva Laughlin
 * Welcome to The Captain

The CW
Returning series:
 * America's Next Top Model
 * Everybody Hates Chris
 * The Game
 * Gossip Girl
 * One Tree Hill
 * Reaper
 * Smallville
 * Supernatural

New series:
 * 13: Fear is Real *
 * 90210
 * The CW Sunday Night Movie
 * Easy Money
 * Hitched or Ditched *
 * In Harm's Way
 * Privileged
 * Stylista
 * Valentine

Not returning from 2007–08:
 * Aliens in America
 * Beauty and the Geek
 * Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants
 * CW Now
 * Farmer Wants a Wife (moved to Fox in 2022–23)
 * Girlfriends
 * Life Is Wild
 * Online Nation
 * Pussycat Dolls Present: Girlicious
 * WWE SmackDown (moved to MyNetworkTV)

Fox
Returning series:
 * 24
 * America's Most Wanted
 * American Dad!
 * American Idol
 * Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?
 * Bones
 * Cops
 * Don't Forget the Lyrics!
 * Family Guy
 * Hell's Kitchen
 * House
 * King of the Hill
 * Kitchen Nightmares
 * NFL on Fox
 * The OT
 * Prison Break
 * The Simpsons
 * So You Think You Can Dance
 * Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles
 * 'Til Death

New series:
 * Dollhouse *
 * Do Not Disturb
 * Fringe
 * Hole in the Wall
 * Lie to Me
 * Mental *
 * More to Love *
 * Osbournes Reloaded *
 * Secret Millionaire
 * Sit Down, Shut Up *

Not returning from 2007–08:
 * Back to You
 * Canterbury's Law
 * Fox Friday Night Movie
 * K-Ville
 * The Moment of Truth
 * Nashville
 * New Amsterdam
 * The Next Great American Band
 * The Return of Jezebel James
 * Unhitched

MyNetworkTV
Returning series:
 * Magic's Biggest Secrets Revealed
 * Celebrity Exposé
 * Jail
 * Masters of Illusion
 * My Thursday Night Movie
 * My Saturday Night Movie
 * Street Patrol
 * Under One Roof
 * WWE SmackDown (moved from The CW)

New series:
 * Dead Man Running
 * The Tony Rock Project
 * Vice Squad
 * The World's Funniest Moments

Not returning from 2007–08:
 * The Academy
 * The Best of In Living Color
 * Control Room Presents
 * Decision House
 * IFL Battleground
 * Meet My Folks
 * My Friday Night Movie
 * NFL Total Access
 * Paradise Hotel 2
 * Whacked Out Videos

NBC
Returning series:
 * 30 Rock
 * America's Got Talent
 * The Celebrity Apprentice 2
 * The Biggest Loser
 * Chuck
 * Dateline NBC
 * Deal or No Deal
 * ER
 * Football Night in America
 * Heroes
 * I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!
 * Law & Order
 * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
 * Life
 * Lipstick Jungle
 * Medium
 * My Name Is Earl
 * NBC Sunday Night Football
 * The Office

New series:
 * America's Toughest Jobs
 * The Chopping Block *
 * Crusoe
 * The Great American Road Trip *
 * Howie Do It
 * Kath & Kim
 * Kings *
 * Knight Rider
 * The Listener *
 * Merlin *
 * Momma's Boys
 * My Own Worst Enemy
 * Parks and Recreation *
 * The Philanthropist *
 * Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Thursday
 * Southland *
 * Superstars of Dance *

Not returning from 2007–08:
 * 1 vs. 100 (moved to GSN)
 * American Gladiators
 * Amnesia
 * The Baby Borrowers
 * Bionic Woman
 * Celebrity Circus
 * Celebrity Family Feud (moved to ABC in 2014–15)
 * Clash of the Choirs
 * Fear Itself
 * Friday Night Lights (moved to The 101 Network)
 * Journeyman
 * Last Comic Standing
 * Las Vegas
 * Most Outrageous Moments
 * My Dad Is Better Than Your Dad
 * Nashville Star
 * Phenomenon
 * Quarterlife
 * Scrubs (moved to ABC)
 * The Singing Bee (moved to CMT)

ABC

 * Private Practice—On October 22, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.
 * Samantha Who?—On October 31, 2008, it received a full-season order, adding seven episodes.

CBS

 * Gary Unmarried—On November 14, 2008, it was picked up for a full 22-episode season.
 * The Mentalist—On October 15, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.

The CW

 * 90210—On September 22, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.

Fox

 * Fringe—On October 1, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order.
 * Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles—On October 17, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order, despite its declining ratings this season.
 * 'Til Death—Despite lower ratings, Fox ordered a fourth season of the show.

MyNetworkTV

 * WWE SmackDown—The only program to carry over in the network's conversion to a programming service.

NBC

 * Chuck—On August 28, 2008, it was picked up for a full-season order, one month before the new season even premiered.
 * Knight Rider—On 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 & Kim—On October 31, 2008, was given a full-season order.
 * Life—On November 7, 2008, NBC picked up Life for a full season.
 * Howie Do It—Twelve additional episodes were ordered by NBC.

ABC

 * America's Funniest Home Videos—Renewed for twentieth season on April 23, 2009.
 * Brothers & Sisters—Renewed for a fourth season on April 23, 2009.
 * Castle—Renewed for a second season on May 15, 2009.
 * Desperate Housewives—Renewed for a sixth season on April 23, 2009.
 * Grey's Anatomy—Renewed for a sixth season on April 23, 2009.
 * Private Practice—Renewed for a third season on April 23. 2009.
 * Scrubs—Renewed for a ninth season on April 23, 2009.
 * Shark Tank—Renewed for a second season in August 2009.

CBS

 * The Amazing Race—Renewed for a fifteenth season on April 17, 2009.
 * The Big Bang Theory—Renewed for a third and fourth season on March 18, 2009.
 * Cold Case—Renewed for a seventh season.
 * Criminal Minds—Renewed for a fifth season.
 * CSI: Crime Scene Investigation—Renewed for a tenth season.
 * CSI: Miami—Renewed for an eighth season.
 * CSI: NY—Renewed for a sixth season.
 * How I Met Your Mother—Renewed for a fifth season.
 * Gary Unmarried—Renewed for a second season.
 * Ghost Whisperer—Renewed for a fifth season on March 13, 2009.
 * The Mentalist—Renewed for a second season.
 * NCIS—Renewed for a seventh season.
 * The New Adventures of Old Christine—Renewed for a fifth season.
 * Numb3rs—Renewed for a sixth season.
 * Rules of Engagement—Renewed for a fourth season.
 * Survivor—Renewed for a nineteenth and twentieth season on March 1, 2009.
 * Two and a Half Men—Renewed for a seventh, eighth and ninth season on March 18, 2009.

The CW

 * 90210—Renewed for a second and third season on February 24, 2009.
 * Gossip Girl—Renewed for a fourth season on February 24, 2009.
 * One Tree Hill—Renewed for a seventh season on February 24, 2009.
 * Smallville—Renewed for a ninth season.
 * Supernatural—Renewed for a fifth season on February 24, 2009.

Fox

 * 24—Renewed for an eighth and final season on May 16, 2007.
 * American Dad!—Renewed for a fifth and sixth season on October 30, 2008.
 * Bones—Renewed for a fifth and sixth season on May 16, 2009.
 * Dollhouse—Renewed for a second season on May 15, 2009.
 * Family Guy—Renewed for an eighth season on May 5, 2008.
 * Fringe – Renewed for a second season on April 26, 2009.
 * House—Renewed for a sixth season.
 * Lie to Me—Renewed for a second season on May 13, 2009.
 * Kitchen Nightmares—Renewed for third season on March 22, 2009.
 * The Simpsons—Renewed for a twenty-first and twenty-second season on February 26, 2009.
 * So You Think You Can Dance—Renewed for a sixth and seventh season on May 15, 2009.
 * 'Til Death—Renewed for a fourth season on January 9, 2009.

NBC

 * 30 Rock—Renewed for a fourth season on January 15, 2009.
 * The Apprentice—Renewed for a ninth season.
 * Chuck—Renewed for a third season on May 17, 2009.
 * Heroes—Renewed for a fourth season on March 5, 2008.
 * Law & Order—Renewed for a twentieth season.
 * Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—Renewed for an eleventh season on April 3, 2009.
 * The Office—Renewed for a sixth season on January 15, 2009.
 * Parks and Recreation—Renewed for a second season.

ABC

 * According to Jim—Canceled on May 19, 2009, after eight seasons. The series concluded on June 2, 2009.
 * Boston Legal—It was announced on May 13, 2008 that season five would be the final season. The series concluded on December 8, 2008.
 * Cupid —Canceled on May 18, 2009.
 * Defying Gravity—Canceled on October 29, 2009.
 * Dirty Sexy Money—Canceled on November 20, 2008.
 * Eli Stone—Canceled on November 20, 2008.
 * The Goode Family—Canceled on August 8, 2009.
 * Homeland Security USA—Canceled on May 19, 2009.
 * In the Motherhood—Canceled on May 15, 2009.
 * Just for Laughs—Canceled on April 7, 2010, after three seasons.
 * Life on Mars—Canceled on March 3, 2009. The series concluded on April 1, 2009.
 * Opportunity Knocks—Canceled on October 16, 2008.
 * Pushing Daisies—Canceled on November 20, 2008.
 * Samantha Who?—Canceled on May 18, 2009, after two seasons.
 * Surviving Suburbia—Canceled on August 8, 2009.
 * The Unusuals—Canceled on May 17, 2009.

CBS

 * Eleventh Hour – Canceled on May 19, 2009.
 * Elite XC Saturday Night Fights – On October 20, Elite XC shut down operations, thus cancelling the show.
 * The Ex List – 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 – Due to declining ratings, CBS decided not to air any more episodes.
 * Harper's Island Cancelled on July 14, 2009.
 * Million Dollar Password – Canceled due to declining ratings.
 * The Unit – Canceled on May 19, 2009, after four seasons.
 * Worst Week – Canceled on May 20, 2009.
 * Without a Trace – Canceled on May 19, 2009, after seven seasons.

The CW

 * 13: Fear Is Real—Canceled on May 21, 2009.
 * Easy Money—MRC canceled the series on November 16, 2008.
 * Everybody Hates Chris—Chris Rock chose to end the series after four seasons.
 * The Game—Canceled on May 20, 2009. Moved to BET in January 2011.
 * In Harm's Way—The CW decided to get end the MRC Sunday night on November 23, 2008, effectively canceling the show.
 * Privileged—Canceled on May 19, 2009.
 * Reaper—Canceled on May 20, 2009, after two seasons.
 * Stylista—Canceled on May 21, 2009.
 * Valentine—Canceled on November 23, 2008.

Fox

 * Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader?—It 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 Disturb—Canceled on September 25, 2008, marking the first cancellation of the season.
 * Don't Forget the Lyrics!—Canceled 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 Wall—Pulled 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 Hill—It 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.
 * Mental—Canceled on March 9, 2010.
 * More to Love—Canceled on March 9, 2010.
 * Osbournes Reloaded—Canceled on May 18, 2009.
 * Prison Break—It 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 Millionaire—Canceled on May 18, 2009. On September 10, 2009, it was announced that ABC would pick up the series for another season.
 * Sit Down, Shut Up – Canceled on May 18, 2009.
 * Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles—Canceled 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.


 * Celebrity Exposé
 * Comics Unleashed (syndicated program on MyNetworkTV's schedule)
 * Jail
 * Magic's Biggest Secrets Revealed
 * Masters of Illusion
 * My Saturday Night Movie (the network's time on Saturday nights was given back to local affiliates for their own purposes)
 * Street Patrol
 * The Tony Rock Project
 * The Twilight Zone (repeats of 2002 UPN series)
 * Under One Roof
 * Vice Squad
 * World's Funniest Moments

NBC

 * America's Toughest Jobs—Canceled on March 13, 2009.
 * The Chopping Block—Canceled on March 26, 2009.
 * Crusoe—The series concluded on January 31, 2009.
 * Deal or No Deal—Canceled on May 19, 2009. The syndicated version of the show got picked up by MyNetworkTV when it transitioned to a programming service.
 * ER—It was announced on April 2, 2008 that season fifteen would be the final season. The series concluded on April 2, 2009.
 * Howie Do It—Canceled on May 19, 2009.
 * Kath & Kim—Canceled on May 19, 2009.
 * Kings—Canceled on April 21, 2009.
 * Knight Rider—Canceled on May 19, 2009.
 * Life—Canceled on May 4, 2009, after two seasons.
 * Lipstick Jungle—Canceled on March 28, 2009, after two seasons.
 * The Listener—Pulled from the schedule on July 23, 2009, after 8 episodes.
 * Medium—It was announced on May 19, 2009 that Medium will be moving to CBS next season.
 * Merlin—Canceled during the summer due to declining ratings.
 * Momma's Boys—Canceled on March 13, 2009.
 * My Name Is Earl—Canceled on May 19, 2009, after four seasons.
 * My Own Worst Enemy—Canceled on November 12, 2008. The series concluded on December 15, 2008.
 * The Philanthropist—Canceled on October 20, 2009.
 * Superstars of Dance—Canceled on May 19, 2009.

Top weekly ratings

 * Data sources: AC Nielsen, TV by the Numbers