The 2005–06 network television schedule for the six major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 2005 through August 2006. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled 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 Global 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.
New series are highlighted in bold.
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.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
Legend
Sunday
Note: 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
Note: 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. Note: 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
Note: 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. Note: 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
Thursday
Friday
Note: Inconceivable premiered on NBC on September 23, 2005, at 10:00 p.m. and was removed from the schedule after airing two episodes.
Saturday
By network
ABC
Returning series: 20/20 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 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 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