The2007–08 network television schedule for the six major English language commercialbroadcast networks in the United States covers theprime time hours from September 2007 to August 2008. The schedule is followed by alist per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the2006–07 season. The schedule was affected by the2007–08 Writers Guild of America strike (which began on November 5 and ended on February 12). After that, the next disruption to the networks' primetime schedules would not occur until the2020–21 season, whose network schedules were affected by the suspension of film and television productions as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic.
This was the first TV season whereNielsen Media Research kept track of DVR ratings (live plus same day; C3; live plus 7)[7]
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 2008 is listed with its rank and rating as determined byNielsen Media Research.[8]
New series to broadcast television are highlighted inbold. Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by(R).
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.
All NBC programming from August 8, 2008, to August 24, 2008, was pre-empted for coverage of the2008 Summer Olympics inBeijing.[9]
Impact of the 2007-08 Writers Guild of America strike
On November 5, theWriters Guild of America went on strike. During the strike, production on scripted television series across all of the major television networks was suspended. The writers' strike forced the networks to postpone the start of the fall 2007 schedule later than usual; rather than the traditional late-September/early-October start, new and returning series had their premieres delayed until late October and into November. The Writers Guild of America strike ended on February 12. The 2007–08 television season was thus the first of three television seasons to have its start delayed due to issues outside of the control of the major networks; the other instances were the1988–89 season (due to the1988 Writers Guild of America strike) and the2001–02 season (due to the networks' news coverage of theSeptember 11 attacks). The next major disruption to the primetime television schedules of the major television networks would not occur until the2020–21 season (due to a suspension of television productions as a result of theCOVID-19 pandemic). The third major disruption to the primetime television schedules of the major television networks were the2022–23 season and the2023–24 season (due to the2023 Writers Guild of America strike, and the2023 SAG-AFTRA strike).
ABC airedDuel for six nights for the week starting on December 17, 2007.
American Gladiators premiered Sunday, January 6, 2008, at 9:00 pm Eastern/8:00 pm Central before moving to Mondays at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central.
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles premiered Sunday, January 13, 2008, at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central before moving to Mondays at 9:00 pm Eastern/8:00 pm Central.
Season 7 of24 was supposed to start in 2008, but delayed to 2009 due to the WGA strike.
According to Jim premiered on January 1, 2008, with two 30-minute episodes. Then on January 9, 2008, it only aired one episode for the night.
One Tree Hill premiered on January 8, 2008, with a two-hour premiere.
American Idol premiered on January 15 to 16, 2008 with two hour episodes each night.
NBC airedquarterlife on February 26, 2008. After the first episode failed to earn the ratings the network had hoped,NBC announced that the series would be canceled after airing only one episode. Its remaining episodes would air on sibling channelBravo.
Miss Guided aired a "sneak-peek" on Tuesday, March 18, 2008, followingDancing with the Stars at 10:30 pm Eastern/9:30 pm Central. It then moved to its regular timeslot on March 20 at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central with back-to-back episodes filling in forUgly Betty through April 3.[11]
On April 8, 2008,CBS premieredSecret Talents of the Stars at 10 pm Eastern/9 pm Central. The show was cancelled the following day.
American Idol premiered on January 15, 2008, and January 16, 2008, with two-hour episodes each night.
Crowned: The Mother of All Pageants premiered on December 12, 2007, at 9:00 pm Eastern/8:00PM Central before moving to Wednesdays at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00PM Central.
Law & Order had a two-hour season premiere (two episodes) on January 2, 2008.
Supernanny aired back to back episodes on January 2, 2008.
Reaper moved to 9:00 pm Eastern/8:00 pm Central on February 28, 2008, replacingSupernatural.
Miss Guided aired a "sneak-peek" on Tuesday March 18, 2008, followingDancing with the Stars at 10:30 pm Eastern/9:30 pm Central. It then moved to its regular timeslot on March 20 at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central with back-to-back episodes filling in forUgly Betty through April 3.[12]
Amne$ia premiered on February 22, 2008, at 9:00 pm Eastern/8:00 pm Central, before moving to its regular timeslot on February 29, 2008, at 8:00 pm Eastern/7:00 pm Central.[13]
The following are shows that have been given full seasons during the 2007/08 television season. Shows listed inBold returned for the 2008/09 television season.
ABC
Private Practice – On October 19, 2007, the show was given a full 22-episode season.[16]
Pushing Daisies – On October 23, 2007, the show received the order for nine additional episodes comprising a full season.[17]
Samantha Who? – On October 30, 2007, the show received a full season order due to solid retention of the audience fromDancing with the Stars in both total viewers, consistently finishing 1st place in its timeslot, and the key 18-49 demographic, consistently finishing in 2nd in its timeslot.[18]
Dirty Sexy Money – On November 16, 2007, the show was given a full season order, making it the first show to be ordered a full season since the writers strike began on November 5.[19]
The Unit - On October 19, 2007, the show was given a full 22-episode season order.[20]
Fox
Kitchen Nightmares – On October 16, 2007, the show was renewed for another season of 10 episodes.[21]
The Moment of Truth – On February 1, 2008,Fox ordered an additional 13 episodes, bringing the total episode order to 25.[22]
NBC
Chuck– On November 26, 2007, NBC gave a full 22-episode season to the show.[23]
Life – On November 26, 2007, NBC gave a full 22-episode season to the show.[23]
The CW
Gossip Girl – On October 9, 2007, the show was given a full 22-episode season, making it the first new show to do so.[24]
Aliens in America – Although a full season order has not been officially announced, sources have reported that despite the writers strike this show will have 17 episodes for the season.[25]
Big Shots – All 11 produced episodes aired and on February 12, 2008, ABC announced no new episodes would be produced after the strike, effectively cancelling the show.[26]
Carpoolers – 13 produced episodes aired and on February 12, 2008, ABC announced no new episodes would be produced after the strike, effectively cancelling the show.[26]
Cashmere Mafia – ABC announced on March 13, 2008, that the show will not return.[27]
Cavemen – 6 of the 13 produced episodes aired, and on February 12, 2008, ABC announced no new episodes would be produced after the strike, effectively cancelling the show.[26]
Men in Trees – ABC announced on May 4, 2008, that the show will not return next season.[28]
Viva Laughlin – Canceled on October 22, 2007, after airing only two episodes. The previously unscheduledThe Amazing Race started early and took over the timeslot.[31]
Aliens in America – Canceled on May 9, 2008. The final episode aired on May 18, 2008.[33]
Girlfriends – After 8 seasons and 172 episodes, on February 12, 2008, The CW announced no more new episodes will be produced and the show was officially canceled. While there will not be any additional episodes produced for the season, a series finale/retrospective for the show is in talks.[26]
Life Is Wild – All 13 produced episodes aired and on February 12, 2008, The CW announced no new episodes would be produced after the strike, effectively cancelling the show.[26]
Online Nation – First show to be canceled in the 2007–08 season. This show set a record for the lowest ratings in The CW's brief history.[34]
WWE SmackDown – On February 8, 2008World Wrestling Entertainment andThe CW had ended negotiations to keepFriday Night SmackDown! on the network. WWE stated thatFriday Night SmackDown! would continue to air on The CW through the end of the 2007/08 broadcast season.[35][36][37] On February 26, 2008, WWE announced thatMyNetworkTV picked upFriday Night Smackdown for the 2008/09 television season.[38]
CW Now – It was announced that in early February, 2008, that CW Now would be going on hiatus. However, on February 13, 2008, The CW announced that they were cancellingCW Now after the February 24 episode.[39]
1 vs. 100 – Canceled at the 2008 upfront presentation.
American Gladiators – NBC decided not to renew the show for a third season, even though there were plans that got canceled
Amne$ia – Canceled at the 2008 upfront presentation.
Bionic Woman – All 8 produced episodes aired and on February 12, 2008, NBC announced no new episodes would be produced after the strike, effectively cancelling the show.[26]
Journeyman – The last of 13 produced episodes aired on December 19, 2007. NBC did not order a full-season run by the deadline of December 11, 2007, effectively cancelling the series.[44][45]
Las Vegas – After 5 seasons and 106 episodes, NBC announced the cancellation of the series on February 20. The final episode, which aired on February 15, was acliffhanger.[46]
Phenomenon – Canceled at the 2008 upfront presentation.[47]
Quarterlife – Theweb-series-turned-network-program was canceled on NBC after one episode due to low ratings, the lowest NBC had received in that time slot in 17 years. NBC Universal announced the series would continue on co-owned cable networkBravo.
Heroes Origins – The series was canceled before it aired and was confirmed at the upfronts.[48]
Scrubs – After seven seasons, NBC announced that the show would not return. However, ABC picked it up for the 2008/09 season.
The Singing Bee – Canceled at the 2008 upfront presentation.
