The 2005–06 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers the prime time hours from September 2005 to August 2006. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2004–05 season.
This would be the final season of broadcasting for both UPN and The WB; their respective parent companies, CBS Corporation and Time Warner (now Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery, respectively), would consolidate the two networks to form The CW the following season. It was also the final season in which Monday Night Football would be regularly broadcast on ABC; the long-running "game of the week" showcase would move to ESPN after the 2005 NFL season, following a 35-year run on ABC (which would resume airing MNF—albeit only for selected regular season and wild card games simulcast with ESPN—in 2021.) From February 10 to 26, 2006, NBC preempted its regular prime time schedule in order to air coverage of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
PBS is not included, as member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. i: Independent Television (renamed from its original brand, Pax TV, on July 1, and now known as 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 2006 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. .
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.ABCAmerica's Funniest Home VideosExtreme Makeover: Home Edition Desperate Housewives Grey's Anatomy CBS Fall60 Minutes Cold Case CBS Sunday Movie SummerBig BrotherCold Case Without a Trace Fox FallThe OTKing of the HillThe SimpsonsThe War at HomeFamily GuyAmerican Dad!Local programming WinterMalcolm in theMiddle Late winter Free Ride Spring American Dad! SummerAmerican Dad! The War at Home NBC FallDateline NBCThe West WingLaw & Order: Criminal IntentCrossing Jordan SpringDateline NBCThe WB FallReba Charmed Blue Collar TVBlue Collar TV Local programming Mid-fallSupernatural WinterCharmed SummerJust Legal
Notes: On September 17, 2006, The WB aired The Night of Favorites and Farewells starting at 5:00 p.m. ET. The special included the pilot episodes of Felicity, Angel, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Dawson's Creek. The special served as the network's last nationally scheduled broadcast.
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 FallWife SwapMonday Night Football WinterThe Bachelor Late winterSupernannyMiracle Workers SpringWhat About Brian Late springHow to Get the Guy SummerWife Swap Supernanny CBS FallThe King of QueensHow I Met Your MotherTwo and a Half Men Out of Practice CSI: Miami Winter Courting Alex Late winterThe New Adventures of Old Christine SummerHow I Met Your Mother Mid-summerTwo and a Half Men The New Adventures of Old Christine Fox Fall Arrested Development Kitchen ConfidentialPrison BreakLocal programming Mid-fallPrison Break Late fallArrested DevelopmentNanny 911 WinterSkating with Celebrities24 Late winterPrison Break SpringHell's Kitchen Hell's KitchenNBC FallSurfaceLas VegasMedium WinterDeal or No Deal The Apprentice Spring SummerTreasure Hunters Treasure Hunters Mid-summerVarious programmingUPN One on One All of Us Girlfriends Half & HalfLocal programmingThe WB Fall7th HeavenJust Legal Mid-fallRelated SpringEverwood Summer7th Heaven
Notes: Emily's Reasons Why Not and Jake in Progress premiered on ABC on January 9, 2006, at 8:00 and 8:30 p.m. respectively, and were removed from the schedule after airing one episode. One Ocean View premiered on ABC on July 31, 2006, at 10 p.m. and was removed from the schedule after airing two episodes.
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 FallAccording to Jim RodneyCommander in Chief Boston Legal Spring Hope & FaithSons & Daughters Mid-SpringHope & Faith Less than Perfect SummerGeorge Lopez Primetime: The OutsidersCBS FallNCIS The Amazing Race: Family EditionClose to Home Mid-fallVarious programming WinterVarious programmingLove Monkey Late winterThe Unit The Amazing Race SummerBig BrotherRock Star48 Hours Fox FallBonesHouse Local programming WinterAmerican Idol SpringHouse NBC FallThe Biggest Loser My Name Is Earl The OfficeLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit WinterFear FactorScrubs Spring Most Outrageous MomentsScrubs Scrubs Teachers Late springFear FactorLast Comic StandingUPN FallAmerica's Next Top Model Sex, Love & SecretsLocal programming Mid-fallVarious programming WinterVeronica Mars SummerVeronica Mars The WB FallGilmore GirlsSupernatural SpringPepper Dennis SummerGilmore Girls
Notes: Get This Party Started premiered on UPN on February 7, 2006, at 9:00 p.m. and was removed from the schedule after airing two episodes. Tuesday Night Book Club premiered on CBS on June 13, 2006, at 10:00 p.m. and was removed from the schedule after airing two episodes.
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 FallGeorge LopezFreddieLost Invasion SpringThe Evidence Mid-springAliasInvasion Late springGeorge Lopez Freddie Commander in Chief SummerLost Mid-summerGeorge Lopez Primetime: Medical MysteriesCBS Fall Still Standing Yes, DearCriminal Minds CSI: NY SpringThe Amazing Race SummerRock StarFox FallMLB on Fox Mid-fall That '70s Show StackedTrading Spouses: Meet Your New MommyLocal programming WinterAmerican Idol Bones SpringBonesAmerican Idol Unan1mous Late springSo You Think You Can DanceNBC FallThe Apprentice: Martha StewartE-RingLaw & Order Mid-fallE-RingThe Apprentice: Martha Stewart WinterThe Biggest Loser Late winterThe Biggest LoserLaw & Order SpringDeal or No Deal Law & OrderHeist Mid-springHeistLaw & Order Late springDateline NBC SummerAmerica's Got TalentUPN FallAmerica's Next Top ModelVeronica MarsLocal programming WinterSouth Beach SpringAmerica's Next Top Model Late springUPN Wednesday Night Movie SummerAmerica's Next Top Model Eve Cuts The WB FallOne Tree HillRelated WinterBeauty and the Geek SpringThe Bedford Diaries SummerBlue Collar TV One Tree Hill
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 FallAliasNight StalkerPrimetime Late fallABC Thursday Night Movie WinterDancing with the Stars Crumbs Late winterExtreme Makeover: Home EditionAmerican Inventor SpringAmerican InventorCommander in Chief SummerMaster of ChampionsGrey's Anatomy Primetime Mid-summerGrey's Anatomy CBS FallSurvivor: Guatemala – The Maya Empire CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Without a Trace WinterVarious programming Mid-winterSurvivor: Panama – Exile Island SpringGameshow Marathon SummerBig BrotherFox FallThe O.C.ReunionLocal programming WinterThat '70s ShowThat '70s Show The O.C. Late winter The Loop SpringThat '70s Show Late springSo You Think You Can DanceNBC Fall Joey Will & GraceThe ApprenticeER WinterWill & Grace Four KingsMy Name Is EarlThe Office SpringMy Name Is Earl SummerMy Name Is Earl The Office Windfall Mid-summerAmerica's Got TalentUPN Everybody Hates Chris Love, Inc. Eve CutsLocal programmingThe WB FallSmallvilleEverwood WinterBeauty and the Geek SpringSupernatural
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 FallSupernanny Hope & Faith Hot Properties20/20 WinterDancing with the Stars In Justice Late winterAmerica's Funniest Home Videos SpringAmerica's Funniest Home Videos Late springAmerica's Funniest Home Videos Hope & Faith SummerKyle XY CBS FallGhost WhispererThresholdNumbers Late fallClose to Home Summer NCIS The Unit Fox FallThe Bernie Mac ShowMalcolm in the Middle Killer InstinctLocal programming Winter Trading Spouses: Meet Your New Mommy Mid-winterThe Bernie Mac Show Late winterNanny 911 SpringThe Bernie Mac Show Mid-springFox Friday Night Movie Summer24 Mid-summerThat '70s Show 24 Late summerFox Friday Night MovieNBC FallDateline NBCThree WishesLaw & Order: Criminal Intent WinterMost Outrageous MomentsMost Outrageous Moments Dateline NBCThe Book of Daniel Mid-winterDateline NBC Late winterDeal or No DealLas VegasConviction SpringDateline NBCLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit SummerLaw & Order UPNWWE Friday Night SmackDown!Local programming The WB FallWhat I Like About You TwinsReba Living with Fran Mid-fall Living with Fran Twins SpringSurvival of the Richest Modern Men Late springWhat I Like About You Twins Living with Fran
Notes: Inconceivable premiered on NBC on September 23, 2005, at 10:00 p.m. and was removed from the schedule after airing two episodes.
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 FallLost Invasion Commander in Chief Mid-fallABC Saturday Movie of the WeekDesperate Housewives Late fallAmerica's Funniest Home Videos ABC Saturday Movie of the Week WinterABC Saturday Movie of the Week SpringThe Wonderful World of DisneyThe Evidence SummerABC Saturday Movie of the WeekCBSCrimetime Saturday48 HoursFox COPSCOPS America's Most WantedLocal programmingNBC FallNBC Saturday Night MovieLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit WinterDateline NBCLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit Conviction SpringLaw & Order: Criminal Intent
By network
ABC
Returning series: 20/20 ABC Thursday Night Movie ABC Saturday Movie of the Week According to Jim America's Funniest Home Videos Alias The Bachelor Boston Legal Dancing with the Stars Desperate Housewives Extreme Makeover: Home Edition George Lopez Grey's Anatomy Hope & Faith Jake in Progress Less than Perfect Lost Monday Night Football Primetime Rodney Supernanny Wife Swap The Wonderful World of Disney
New series: American Inventor Commander in Chief Crumbs Emily's Reasons Why Not The Evidence Freddie Hot Properties How to Get the Guy In Justice Invasion Kyle XY Master of Champions Miracle Workers Night Stalker The One: Making a Music Star One Ocean View Sons & Daughters What About Brian
Not returning from 2004–05: 8 Simple Rules The ABC Monday Night Movie The Bachelorette (revived and returned for 2007–08) The Benefactor Blind Justice Complete Savages Extreme Makeover Eyes Life as We Know It Life of Luxury My Wife and Kids NYPD Blue
CBS
Returning series: 48 Hours 60 Minutes The Amazing Race Big Brother CBS Sunday Movie Cold Case CSI: Crime Scene Investigation CSI: Miami CSI: NY The King of Queens NCIS Numbers Still Standing Survivor Two and a Half Men Without a Trace Yes, Dear
New series: Close to Home Courting Alex Criminal Minds Gameshow Marathon Ghost Whisperer How I Met Your Mother Love Monkey The New Adventures of Old Christine Out of Practice Threshold Tuesday Night Book Club The Unit
Not returning from 2004–05: Center of the Universe Clubhouse Dr. Vegas Everybody Loves Raymond JAG Joan of Arcadia Judging Amy Listen Up Wickedly Perfect The Will
Fox
Returning series: 24 America's Most Wanted American Dad! American Idol Arrested Development The Bernie Mac Show Cops Family Guy Fox Friday Night Movie Hell's Kitchen House King of the Hill Malcolm in the Middle MLB on Fox Nanny 911 The O.C. The Simpsons So You Think You Can Dance Stacked That '70s Show Trading Spouses
New series: Bones Free Ride Head Cases Killer Instinct Kitchen Confidential The Loop