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. 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.Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported on TimBrooks.net/Ratings
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 Hawaii–Aleutian 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
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.ABC FallAmerica's Funniest Home VideosExtreme Makeover: Home EditionDesperate Housewives Brothers & Sisters SummerShark TankDefying GravityCBS Fall60 Minutes The Amazing RaceCold Case The Unit WinterMillion Dollar Password Mid-winterThe Amazing Race SpringVarious programmingWithout a Trace SummerBig Brother Mid-summerThere Goes the NeighborhoodCold Case The CW FallIn Harm's WayValentineEasy MoneyLocal programming Late fallJericho The CW Sunday Night Movie SummerValentine Mid-summerEasy MoneyFox FallFox NFL The OTThe SimpsonsKing of the HillFamily GuyAmerican Dad! WinterAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader? Mid-winterHole in the Wall SpringAmerican Dad! King of the Hill Mid-spring King of the Hill Sit Down, Shut Up Late spring Sit Down, Shut UpAmerican Dad! King of the Hill SummerKing of the Hill Mid-summer'Til Death The Simpsons Late summerThe Simpsons American Dad! NBC FallFootball Night in AmericaNBC Sunday Night Football WinterDateline NBCSpecial programming Late winterDateline NBCKings The Apprentice SpringDateline NBC SummerDateline NBCMerlinLaw & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order 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
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallDancing with the Stars Samantha Who?Boston Legal WinterThe Bachelor True Beauty SpringDancing with the Stars Surviving SuburbiaCastle Late springThe BacheloretteHere Come the Newlyweds SummerDating in the DarkCBS FallThe Big Bang TheoryHow I Met Your MotherTwo and a Half Men Worst WeekCSI: Miami WinterRules of Engagement SummerHow I Met Your Mother Rules of Engagement The Big Bang Theory The CW FallGossip GirlOne Tree HillLocal programming SummerOne Tree Hill Gossip Girl Fox FallTerminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesPrison Break WinterHouse 24 SpringLie to Me MNT FallCelebrity ExposéMagic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed Mid-fallTwilight Zone WinterMasters of Illusion Late winterMagic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed SpringMasters of Illusion SummerTwilight Zone NBC Early fallDeal or No DealAmerica's Toughest JobsDateline NBC FallChuckHeroesMy Own Worst Enemy WinterSuperstars of DanceMomma's Boys Mid-winterChuckHeroesMedium SpringDeal or No DealVarious programming Late springI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dateline NBC SummerThe Great American Road Trip
Tuesday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallOpportunity KnocksDancing with the Stars Eli Stone Mid-fallSpecial programmingAccording to Jim WinterHomeland Security USAScrubsPrimetime: What Would You Do? SpringAccording to JimDancing with the Stars Cupid SummerThe SuperstarsBetter Off Ted Scrubs Primetime Mid-summerVarious programmingShaq Vs.CBS FallNCIS The Mentalist Without a Trace Spring48 Hours SummerBig BrotherMedium The CW Fall90210PrivilegedLocal programming WinterReaper90210 Spring90210 Hitched or DitchedFox FallHouse Fringe WinterAmerican Idol Mid-winterAmerican Idol SpringAmerican Idol Fringe Late springHouse Mental SummerHell's KitchenMore to LoveMNT FallStreet PatrolStreet Patrol JAILJAIL Winter Vice SquadVice Squad Late winterStreet Patrol JAILJAIL NBC FallThe Biggest LoserLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit SpringI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dateline NBC SummerThe Great American Road Trip
Wednesday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallPushing DaisiesPrivate PracticeDirty Sexy Money WinterLost Lost Life on Mars Late winterScrubsBetter Off Ted SpringThe Unusuals Late springWipeoutI Survived a Japanese Game ShowPrimetimeCBS The New Adventures of Old Christine Gary UnmarriedCriminal Minds CSI: NY The CW FallAmerica's Next Top ModelStylistaLocal programming Late fallStylista Winter13: Fear is Real90210 Mid-winterPrivileged Late winterAmerica's Next Top Model SpringHitched or Ditched SummerAmerica's Next Top Model Fox FallBones 'Til Death Do Not Disturb Mid-fallHouse WinterAmerican Idol Lie to Me Late winterLie to MeAmerican Idol SpringSo You Think You Can DanceMNT FallThe World's Funniest Moments The Tony Rock Project Under One Roof SpringComics Unleashed Late springThe Twilight Zone NBC FallKnight RiderDeal or No DealLipstick Jungle Mid-fallLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order Winter Life Late winterThe Chopping Block SpringLaw & Order Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Late springI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! SummerAmerica's Got Talent America's Got TalentThe Philanthropist
Thursday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallUgly BettyGrey's Anatomy Life on Mars WinterPrivate Practice Spring In the Motherhood Samantha Who? Mid-springUgly Betty SummerSamantha Who? Mid-summerGrey's Anatomy CBS FallSurvivor: Gabon – Earth's Last Eden CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Eleventh Hour WinterVarious programming Mid-winterSurvivor: Tocantins – The Brazilian Highlands SpringHarper's Island Late springVarious programming SummerBig BrotherThe Mentalist The CW FallSmallvilleSupernaturalLocal programming SummerSupernatural Fox FallHole in the WallKitchen Nightmares Mid-fallVarious programming WinterBones Hell's Kitchen SpringSo You Think You Can DanceMNTMy Thursday Night MovieNBC FallMy Name Is EarlKath & KimThe Office Saturday NightLive WeekendUpdate ThursdayER Mid-fall30 Rock Spring Parks and RecreationSouthland SummerI'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!The Listener Mid-summer30 Rock The Office Late summerParks and Recreation Law & Order Notes: The Moment of Truth was originally scheduled to air Thursdays at 8:00 on Fox, but was instead shelved, effectively canceling it.
Friday
Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWife SwapSupernanny20/20 Spring Surviving Suburbia The Goode FamilyAccording to Jim SummerSupernanny Ugly Betty CBS FallGhost Whisperer The Ex ListNumb3rs Mid-fallVarious programming WinterFlashpointThe CW FallEverybody Hates ChrisThe GameAmerica's Next Top Model Local programming WinterEverybody Hates Chris The Game Mid-winter13: Fear Is Real Late winterAmerica's Next Top Model SpringPrivileged Everybody Hates Chris The Game Fox FallAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader?Don't Forget the Lyrics! WinterTerminator: The Sarah Connor ChroniclesDollhouse SpringPrison Break Late springDon't Forget the Lyrics!House SummerAre You Smarter than a 5th Grader?MentalMNTWWE Friday Night SmackDownNBC FallAmerica's Toughest JobsVarious programmingLife Mid-fallDeal or No DealCrusoeLipstick Jungle Late fallLipstick JungleDateline NBC WinterHowie Do ItFriday Night Lights SpringDateline NBC Late springThe Chopping Block SummerSouthland
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.ABC FallSaturday Night Football Late fallVarious programming SpringABC Saturday Movie of the Week Late springABC Saturday Movie of the WeekPushing Daisies Early summerWipeout Castle Eli Stone SummerDirty Sexy Money Mid-summerVarious programmingCBS FallCrimetime Saturday48 Hours WinterGame Show in My HeadCrimetime Saturday Mid-winterCrimetime Saturday SpringCrimetime SaturdayHarper's Island SummerCrimetime SaturdayFox Fall COPSCOPS America's Most WantedLocal programming SpringCOPS COPSMNTMy Saturday Night MovieNBC FallVarious programmingKnight Rider Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Mid-fallKnight Rider Various programming Late fallCrusoe WinterLaw & Order: Criminal Intent Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Law & Order SpringLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit Southland Late springKingsLaw & Order Law & Order: Special Victims Unit SummerLaw & Order: Criminal Intent
By network
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 MafiaMany TV Series Face Uncertain Futures , Yahoo!, March 13, 2008 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 Jericho (reruns) 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