The following is the 2008–09 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 2008 through May 2009. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 2007–08 season. The schedule omits the Public Broadcasting Service (whose programming is listed here).
Note: On Sundays, The CW programming begins at 5 p.m. Eastern; the full schedule is available here
Note: 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. Note: The 7pm hour on Fox features animated series reruns in the Pacific and Mountain time zones during the NFL season.
The Spring schedule officially began on March 20, 2009
Note: On Sundays, CW programming begins at 5 p.m. Eastern; the full schedule is available here
The Summer schedule officially began on May 18, 2009.
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.
Cancellations and series endings
ABC
According to Jim – Cast member Larry Joe Campbell announced in December 2008 that the sets had been bulldozed.
Boston Legal – On May 13, 2008, ABC announced that in the fall of 2008, Boston Legal would air its fifth and final season of 13 episodes. It last aired in December 2008.
Cupid – Officially canceled on May 18, 2009.
Defying Gravity – Officially canceled during the summer due to low ratings.
Dirty Sexy Money – On November 20, 2008, ABC decided not to order further episodes for this current season resulting in the show being "effectively cancelled".
Eli Stone – On November 20, 2008, ABC decided not to order further episodes for this current season resulting in the show being "effectively cancelled".
The Goode Family – Due to declining ratings, ABC has decided not to renew the show for a second season.
Homeland Security USA – Due to declining ratings, ABC has decided to pull the remaining episodes of the season.
In the Motherhood – Due to poor ratings, ABC did not show the remaining episodes of this series.
Life on Mars – On March 3, 2009, ABC announced that the show will not be renewed. The series aired its last episode on April 1, 2009.
Opportunity Knocks – On October 16, 2008, the show was placed on hiatus after three episodes to make room for the Dancing with the Stars recap show. ABC planned on airing the six remaining episodes as part of their summer schedule, but this never materialized.
Pushing Daisies – On November 20, 2008, ABC decided not to order further episodes for this current season resulting in the show being "effectively cancelled".
Samantha Who? – On May 17, 2009, ABC announced the show will not return for a third season.
Surviving Suburbia – Due to declining ratings, ABC has decided to not renew the show for a second season.
The Unusuals – On May 17, 2009, ABC announced that the series would not be returning for a second season.
CBS
Eleventh Hour – Officially 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 to be 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 – It was moved to Saturdays, and CBS made it a mini-series.
Million Dollar Password – canceled due to declining ratings.
The Price Is Right Primetime – Officially canceled by CBS in May 2009
The Unit – CBS Announced that this will be fourth and final season The unit, the series concluded on May 10, 2009.
Worst Week – Due to low ratings, CBS decided not to renew the show for a second season.
Without a Trace – Officially canceled May 19, 2009.
The CW
13: Fear Is Real – On May 21, 2009 it was officially cancelled.
4Real – On May 21, 2009 it was officially cancelled
The CW Sunday Night Movie - On May 21, 2009 it was officially cancelled.
Easy Money – MRC decided to cancel the series on November 16, 2008.
Everybody Hates Chris – Cast member Chris Rock is planning to cancel the series after four seasons.
The Game – On May 20, 2009 it was officially cancelled.
In Harm's Way – The CW decided to get rid of the MRC Sunday night, thus effectively canceling the show on November 23, 2008.
Jericho – On May 21, 2009, CW announced that they would not be airing repeats anymore.
Privileged On May 19, 2009, CW officially announced that Privileged won't come back for a second season.
Reaper On May 20, 2009 it was officially cancelled.
Stylista – On May 21, 2009 it was officially cancelled.
Valentine – MRC decided to cancel the series on November 23, 2008.
Fox
Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader? – Fox has announced that the show will not be returning for another season in the fall.
Do Not Disturb – On September 25, 2008, the show was canceled after three episodes. It became the first cancellation of the season.
Don't Forget the Lyrics! – Fox has announced that the show would not be returning for another season in the fall.
Hole in the Wall – Due to poor ratings, Fox has canceled the show. It later moved to Cartoon Network.
MADtv – On November 12, 2008, Fox announced that MADtv would end its 14-year run after this season in 2009.
Prison Break – On January 13, 2009, Fox entertainment President Kevin Reilly announced that "this will be the last year" of Prison Break.
Sit Down, Shut Up – Officially canceled May 18, 2009.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles – Officially canceled May 18, 2009.
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
Whacked Out Videos
World's Funniest Moments
NBC
America's Toughest Jobs – On March 13, 2009, it was confirmed that the series would not be returning for a second season.
The Chopping Block – On March 26, 2009 the show was canceled due to poor ratings.
Crusoe – NBC decided not to order any more episodes of this show.
Deal or No Deal – Officially canceled on May 19, 2009. The syndicated version of the show will continue.
ER – NBC announced at the end of the last season that this would be the final season of ER. It aired its final episode on April 2, 2009.
Howie Do It – Officially canceled on May 19, 2009.
Kath & Kim – Officially canceled on May 19, 2009.
Kings – NBC has pulled Kings from Sunday nights, placing the remaining episodes on Saturday and not ordering any more episodes.
Knight Rider – Officially canceled on May 19, 2009.
Life – On May 4, 2009 NBC announced that Life will not be returning for a third season.
Lipstick Jungle – Officially canceled on March 28, 2009.
The Listener – On July 23, 2009, NBC pulled the remaining episodes of the series due to decling ratings.
Medium – On May 19, 2009 it was announced that Medium will be moving to CBS next season.
Merlin – canceled during the summer due to declining ratings.
Momma's Boys – On March 13, 2009, it was confirmed that the series had been canceled and would not be returning for a second season.
My Name Is Earl – NBC Announced that this will be fourth and final season, the series will concluded on May 14, 2009
My Own Worst Enemy – On November 12, 2008, it was announced that the show had been canceled due to low ratings.
The Philanthropist – canceled during the summer due to declining ratings.
Superstars of Dance – On May 19, 2009, it was announced that NBC would not be ordering a second season of the show.
Data sources: AC Nielsen, TV By The Numbers
