The following is the 2003–04 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 2003 through August 2004. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 2002–03 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as Monday Night Football.
New series are highlighted in bold.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows 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 in: Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine. .
Yellow indicates the programs in the top 10 for the season. Cyan indicates the programs in the top 20 for the season. Magenta indicates the programs in the top 30 for the season. Other 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 scheduled programs, including specials.
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Also not included are stations affiliated with Pax TV, as its schedule is composed mainly of syndicated reruns although it also carried a limited schedule of first-run programs.
The 2003–2004 season marked the final time that the major networks scheduled substantial original scripted drama series on Saturdays. After years of declining ratings on that particular evening, beginning with the 2004–2005 season the networks ceased scheduling original dramas on Saturdays, choosing instead to fill the schedule with non-fiction programming and reruns.
From August 13 to 29, 2004, all of NBC's primetime programming was preempted in favor of coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics.
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 Videos10-8: Officers on Duty AliasThe Practice WinterExtreme Makeover: Home Edition Spring SummerCBS60 Minutes Cold Case CBS Sunday Movie (#23/7.8)(Tied with The West Wing and Navy: NCIS)Fox FallKing of the Hill King of the HillThe SimpsonsThe Bernie Mac ShowMalcolm in the MiddleArrested DevelopmentLocal programming Winter King of the Hill Oliver Beene SpringKing of the Hill King of the HillThe Simpsons Late spring Oliver BeeneArrested Development SummerKing of the Hill Malcolm in the Middle The Simple Life Quintuplets Mid-summerThe CasinoNBC FallDateline NBCAmerican DreamsLaw & Order: Criminal Intent The Lyon's Den WinterCrossing Jordan Spring SummerThe WB FallSmallville Charmed TarzanLocal programming Late fallOne Tree Hill WinterThe Surreal Life SpringHigh School Reunion Late springSteve Harvey's Big Time Challenge Charmed Summer NOTE: On Fox, The Ortegas was supposed to air at 8:30-9, but it was cancelled.
Monday Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABCFallPrimetime MondayMonday Night Football (#9/11.2)(Tied with Everybody Loves Raymond)WinterThe ABC Monday Night MovieSummerMy Wife & KidsGeorge LopezAccording to JimHope & FaithWeddings Gone Wacky, Wonderful & Wild: Anything for LoveCBSYes, DearStill Standing (#26/7.7)(Tied with Judging Amy)Everybody Loves Raymond (#9/11.2)(Tied with Monday Night Football)Two and a Half Men (#14/9.9)(Tied with My Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance)CSI: Miami (#8/11.9)FoxFallThe Next Joe MillionaireSkin Local Programming December Fox Night at the Movies Winter American IdolMy Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance (#14/9.9)(Tied with Two and a Half Men) MarchThat '70s Show Cracking UpForever Eden Follow UpThe Bernie Mac ShowThat '70s Show SpringThe Bernie Mac ShowThe Swan SummerNorth ShoreThe CasinoNBCFallFear Factor (#22/7.9)Las Vegas (#28/7.6)Third WatchFollow UpAverage Joe (#29/7.4) WinterSpringThe RestaurantSummerFor Love or MoneyWho Wants to Marry My Dad?UPNFallThe ParkersEveGirlfriendsHalf & Half Local ProgrammingWinterSpringSummerOne on OneHalf & HalfThe WB Fall7th HeavenEverwood Winter Spring SummerSuperstar USA Follow UpSummerland (Repeats)
Tuesday Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABC Fall8 Simple RulesI'm with HerAccording to JimLess than PerfectNYPD Blue WinterLine of Fire Follow UpNYPD Blue Spring It's All Relative Follow UpLess than Perfect SummerNYPD 24/7 Mid-SummerExtreme Makeover: Home EditionIn the Jury RoomCBSFallNavy: NCIS (#23/7.8)(Tied with The West Wing and the CBS Sunday Movie)The GuardianJudging Amy (#26/7.7)(Tied with Still Standing)WinterSpringCentury CityFollow UpThe GuardianSummerMid-SummerBig BrotherThe Amazing RaceFoxFall MLB Post-Season Games / World Series NovemberEncore programming24 Local Programming DecemberThat '70s Show The Simple Life WinterAmerican Idol (#2/14.9) Spring SummerThe Bernie Mac ShowMethod & Red The Jury Mid-SummerTrading Spouses: Meet Your New MommyThat '70s Show Quintuplets NBCFallWhoopi Happy Family Frasier (#30/7.3)(Tied with The King of Queens)Good Morning, MiamiLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit (#18/8.7)WinterThe Tracy Morgan ShowWhoopiHappy FamilyFollow-upWhoopiHappy FamilyScrubsSpringFear FactorSummerNext Action StarLast Comic StandingMid-SummerScrubsHappy FamilyUPNFallOne on OneAll of UsRock Me BabyThe Mullets Local ProgrammingFollow-upGirlfriends (Repeats)WinterAmerica's Next Top Model 2SpringRock Me BabyOne on OneSummerAll of UsEveAmerica's Next Top Model AugustThe PlayerThe WBFallGilmore GirlsOne Tree HillWinterSpring High School Reunion Follow UpOne Tree Hill SummerSummerland NOTE: On The WB, Fearless was supposed to have started in the Fall at 9–10, but it was delayed to midseason, then it was cancelled both due to production difficulties.
Wednesday Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABCFallMy Wife & KidsIt's All RelativeThe Bachelor (#21/8.3) / The BacheloretteKaren SiscoWinterCelebrity Mole: YucatánSpringMy Wife & KidsExtreme MakeoverStephen King's Kingdom HospitalFollow-upThe Bachelor (#21/8.3)Extreme MakeoverSummerThe Drew Carey ShowThe Drew Carey ShowThe Ultimate Love TestCBSFall60 Minutes IIThe King of Queens (#30/7.3)(Tied with Frasier)BeckerThe Brotherhood of Poland, New HampshireWinter48 Hours InvestigatesSpringThe StonesFollow UpYes, DearSummerFoxFallThat '70s ShowA Minute with Stan Hooper The O.C. Local ProgrammingDecemberThe Simple LifeWinterFebruaryAmerican Idol (#3/14.1)SpringSummerQuintupletsThe Simple LifeMethod & RedNBCFallEdThe West Wing (#23/7.8)(Tied with the CBS Sunday Movie and Navy: NCIS)Law & Order (#12/10.8)WinterThe Apprentice (Repeats)SpringThird WatchSummerNext Action StarLaw & OrderUPNFallStar Trek: EnterpriseJake 2.0 Local ProgrammingWinterAmerica's Next Top Model (Repeats)MarchGame OverThe MulletsStar Trek: EnterpriseSpringAprilStar Trek: EnterpriseI'm Still AliveSummerStar Trek: EnterpriseMid-SummerAmish in the CityThe PlayerThe WBFallSmallvilleAngelWinterSpringSummerFlix from the FrogMid-SummerSmallvilleSmallville
Thursday Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABCFallThreat MatrixExtreme MakeoverPrimetimeWinterFebruaryExtreme MakeoverSpringExtreme Makeover: Home Edition (Repeats)Stephen King's Kingdom HospitalSummerWhose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway?Mid-SummerExtreme MakeoverExtreme MakeoverCBSFallSurvivor: Pearl Islands (#7/12.3)CSI: Crime Scene Investigation (#1/15.9)Without a Trace (#11/11.1)WinterCSI: Miami (Repeats)SpringSurvivor: All-Stars (#7/12.3)SummerJoan of ArcadiaMid-SummerBig BrotherFoxFall MLB Post-Season Games / World SeriesNovemberTru Calling Various Encore Programming Local ProgrammingDecember The Simple Life (Repeats) The Simple Life (Repeats)WinterMid-JanuaryMy Big Fat Obnoxious Fiance (Repeats)Spring Various Encore ProgrammingSummerNorth ShoreTru CallingMid-SummerFox Night at the MoviesNBCFallFriends (#4/13.6)ScrubsWill & Grace (#13/10.4)CouplingER (#6/12.9)NovemberGood Morning, MiamiScrubsWinterWill & Grace (#13/10.4)The Apprentice (#5/13.0)SpringFrasierWill & Grace (#13/10.4)ScrubsSummerCome to PapaMid-SummerWill & GraceScrubsLast Comic StandingUPNWWE SmackDown Local ProgrammingThe WBFallSteve Harvey's Big Time ChallengeThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentWhat I Like About YouRun of the HouseWinterAll About the AndersonsThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentFollow UpThe Surreal LifeSpring Like FamilyThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentFollow UpFlix from the FrogSummerPepsi SmashThe Jamie Kennedy ExperimentRebaMid-SummerBlue Collar TVRebaBlue Collar TVFollow UpStudio 7 NOTE: On Fox, The O.C. was supposed to air at 9-10 after Tru Calling, but at the last minute stick with repeats.
Friday Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABCFallGeorge LopezMarried to the KellysHope & FaithLife with Bonnie20/20WinterSpringThe Big HouseThe D.A.Follow-upMarried to the Kellys20/20SummerMarried to the KellysLife with BonnieMid-Summer8 Simple RulesLess than PerfectCBSFallJoan of ArcadiaJAGThe HandlerWinterSpringCSI: Miami (Repeats)Summer48 HoursFoxFallWanda at LargeLuisBoston Public Local ProgrammingFollow-up Fox Friday Night Movie WinterTotally Outrageous BehaviorWorld's Craziest VideosBoston PublicSpringBoston PublicWonderfallsMid-springPlaying It StraightFollow-upTotally Outrageous BehaviorWorld's Craziest VideosForever EdenMay Fox Friday Night MovieSummerThe Bernie Mac ShowMethod & RedThe JuryNBCFallMiss Match Dateline NBCBoomtownFollow-upDateline NBCMiss MatchThird WatchWinterEdSpringDateline NBCSummerLas VegasUPNFallUPN's Night at the Movies Local ProgrammingWinterSpringGame OverAll of UsStar Trek: EnterpriseFollow-upUPN's Night at the MoviesMid-SummerStar Trek: EnterpriseAmish in the CityThe WBFallRebaLike FamilyGrounded for LifeAll About the AndersonsWinterWhat I Like About YouLike FamilySpringThe HelpFollow-upRun of the HouseSummerWhat I Like About YouGrounded for LifeRebaRebaMid-SummerBlue Collar TV
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 FallThe Wonderful World of DisneyL.A. Dragnet WinterAmerica's Funniest Home Videos Spring Summer Whose Line Is It Anyway?Whose Line Is It Anyway? CBS Fall48 Hours InvestigatesHackThe District WinterStar Search SpringCBS Saturday Night Movie SummerThe Amazing Race Big BrotherVarious programmingFox COPSCOPS America's Most WantedLocal programmingNBC FallNBC Saturday Night MovieLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit Winter The Tracy Morgan ShowWhoopi Law & Order SpringNBC Saturday Night Movie SummerLaw & Order: Crime & Punishment
By network ABC
Returning series 8 Simple Rules 20/20 The ABC Monday Night Movie According to Jim Alias America's Funniest Home Videos The Bachelor The Bachelorette L.A. Dragnet The Drew Carey Show Extreme Makeover George Lopez Less than Perfect Life with Bonnie The Mole Monday Night Football My Wife and Kids NYPD Blue The Practice Primetime Whose Line Is It Anyway? The Wonderful World of Disney
New series 10-8: Officers on Duty * The Big House * The D.A. * Extreme Makeover: Home Edition * Hope & Faith I'm with Her In the Jury Room * It's All Relative Karen Sisco Kingdom Hospital * Line of Fire * Married to the Kellys NYPD 24/7 * Primetime Monday Threat Matrix The Ultimate Love Test * Weddings Gone Wacky, Wonderful & Wild: Anything for Love *
Not returning from 2002-03 ABC Saturday Movie of the Week ABC Thursday Night Movie The Family Lost at Home MDs Miracles Push, Nevada Regular Joe That Was Then Veritas: The Quest
CBS
Returning series 48 Hours 60 Minutes 60 Minutes II The Amazing Race Becker Big Brother CBS Sunday Movie CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Miami The District Everybody Loves Raymond The Guardian Hack JAG Judging Amy The King of Queens Still Standing Star Search Survivor Without a Trace Yes, Dear
New series