# 1952–53 United States network television schedule

The following is the 1952–53 network television schedule for the four major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 1952 through March 1953. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1951–52 season.
According to television historians Castleman and Podrazik (1982), the fall of 1953 marked a change in television when the networks began filling their schedules with "grade B" material. The networks' "need to fill so many hours of broadcasting each day put the networks and local programmers into the same position that Hollywood had been in years before with its theatrical features." In between big-budget productions, the networks had to keep the public occupied. As the number of hours that the four TV networks offered programs continued to expand, "the appearance of TV equivalents to grade-B films was almost inevitable."
Castleman and Podrazik also point out that another change was taking place around this time. Filmed television series had been seen since the late 1940s, but were "not considered very important to the networks' schedules" because many were of poor quality; live productions from New York were the norm at this time. CBS's success with filmed program I Love Lucy in fall 1951, however, had convinced NBC to add a few filmed series to its fall 1952 schedule. Among NBC's new filmed TV series were My Hero, I Married Joan, and Doc Corkle. The Red Skelton Show, previously airing live, also made the move to film. NBC also moved Skelton's program from its previous late-evening time to 7 p.m. on Sundays, hoping the program would be a "strong lead-in for the entire evening."
NBC's Sunday night strategy failed, however, because Red Skelton's program suffered from excessive use of rerun episodes when Skelton unfortunately fell ill. Of the network's other filmed series, My Hero was "a weak slapstick vehicle" while Doc Corkle was "generally regarded as the worst sitcom of the new season". It lasted only three weeks before cancellation (replaced by the return of the live Mister Peepers). With the exceptions of I Married Joan and the revival of The Life of Riley starring William Bendix in January, NBC would have little luck with filmed programs during the 1952–53 season.
ABC had more luck with its new filmed series, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, while CBS aired the filmed Our Miss Brooks. Another successful CBS filmed show was anthology series Four Star Playhouse, which although not a top-rated show, did prove popular enough to run to 1956.
Fall 1952 was a major blow for DuMont, when the network's biggest star, Jackie Gleason, moved from DuMont to CBS. Gleason's new CBS series, The Jackie Gleason Show replaced DuMont's Cavalcade of Stars, airing Saturday nights at 8 p.m. Ted Bergmann, DuMont's general director, stated in 2002 that Gleason's much-heralded move to CBS made DuMont look bad. DuMont aired no programs against Gleason's new TV series. One DuMont show, the 60-minute public affairs program New York Times Youth Forum began airing Sundays at 5 p.m. EST on September 14, 1952—outside of prime time—and ran until June 14, 1953. A notable DuMont series which aired during the season was dramatic anthology series Dark of Night, which was broadcast live from a different real-life location each week instead of being shot on a soundstage (for example, one episode was broadcast from a soft drink bottling plant, while another was broadcast from a castle in New Jersey).
New fall 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.
    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.

## Sunday

| Network | Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | Fall | You Asked For It | Enterprise | All-Star News | All-Star News | America in View | This Is the Life Presents "The Fisher Family" | 10:00 Hour of Decision / 10:15 Local | Anywhere U.S.A. |
| ABC | Spring | Both Sides | | All-Star News | All-Star News |
| CBS | Fall | The Gene Autry Show | This Is Show Business | Toast of the Town | Toast of the Town | The Fred Waring Show | Break the Bank | The Web | What's My Line? (20/35.3) (Tied with Strike It Rich) |
| CBS | February | The Gene Autry Show | Private Secretary | Toast of the Town | Toast of the Town | The Fred Waring Show | Break the Bank | The Web | What's My Line? (20/35.3) (Tied with Strike It Rich) |
| NBC | Fall | The Red Skelton Show (28/33.7) (Tied with The Lone Ranger) | Doc Corkle | The Colgate Comedy Hour (7/44.3) | The Colgate Comedy Hour (7/44.3) | The Philco Television Playhouse (17/37.3) / Goodyear Television Playhouse (15/37.8) | The Philco Television Playhouse (17/37.3) / Goodyear Television Playhouse (15/37.8) | The Doctor | Local |
| NBC | October | The Red Skelton Show (28/33.7) (Tied with The Lone Ranger) | Mister Peepers | The Colgate Comedy Hour (7/44.3) | The Colgate Comedy Hour (7/44.3) | The Philco Television Playhouse (17/37.3) / Goodyear Television Playhouse (15/37.8) | The Philco Television Playhouse (17/37.3) / Goodyear Television Playhouse (15/37.8) | The Doctor | Local |
| NBC | Summer | Operation Neptune | Super Ghost | The Big Payoff | The Big Payoff | | The Philco Television Playhouse (17/37.3) / Goodyear Television Playhouse (15/37.8) | The Philco Television Playhouse (17/37.3) / Goodyear Television Playhouse (15/37.8) | The Doctor | Local |
| DMN | DMN | Georgetown University Forum | Local | Local | Local | Rocky King, Inside Detective | The Plainclothesman | The Arthur Murray Party | Youth on the March |
* The Jack Benny Program (12/39.0) appeared every fourth week this season at 7:30-8:00 pm, with Private Secretary replacing This Is Show Business in February.
* On October 26, Doc Corkle was replaced by Mister Peepers after only three episodes.

## Monday

| Network | Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | ABC | Local | Hollywood Screen Test | Inspector Mark Saber – Homicide Squad | United or Not | All-Star News | All-Star News | Local | Local |
| CBS | Fall | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 The Perry Como Show | Lux Video Theatre | Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (2/54.7) | I Love Lucy (1/67.3) | Life with Luigi (13/38.5) | Studio One | Studio One |
| CBS | Summer | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 The Perry Como Show | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show | Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (2/54.7) | Racket Squad | Masquerade Party | Studio One | Studio One |
| NBC | Fall | Local | 7:30 Those Two / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | What's My Name? | The Voice of Firestone | Hollywood Opening Night | Robert Montgomery Presents | Robert Montgomery Presents | Who Said That? |
| NBC | Spring | Local | 7:30 Bob and Ray / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | What's My Name? | The Voice of Firestone | Eye Witness | Robert Montgomery Presents | Robert Montgomery Presents | Who Said That? |
| NBC | Summer | Local | 7:30 Bob and Ray / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | What's My Name? | The Voice of Firestone | Juvenile Jury | Summer Stock Theatre | Summer Stock Theatre | | Who Said That? |
| DMN | Fall | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | The Power of Women | The Johns Hopkins Science Review | Guide Right | 9:30 Football Sidelines / 9:45 Famous Fights From Madison Square Garden | Boxing From Eastern Parkway | Boxing From Eastern Parkway |
| DMN | Follow-up | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | The Power of Women | The Johns Hopkins Science Review | The Big Idea | 9:30 Football Sidelines / 9:45 Famous Fights From Madison Square Garden | Boxing From Eastern Parkway | Boxing From Eastern Parkway |
| DMN | Spring | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | The Power of Women | This Is the Life Presents "The Fisher Family" | | 9:30 Football Sidelines / 9:45 Famous Fights From Madison Square Garden | Boxing From Eastern Parkway | Boxing From Eastern Parkway |
* What's My Name was subsequently renamed The Paul Winchell Show, after its stars, Paul Winchell and Jerry Mahoney.

## Tuesday

| Network | Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | ABC | Local | The Beulah Show | Local | Local | Local | Local | Local | Local |
| CBS | CBS | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 Heaven for Betsy | Leave It to Larry | The Red Buttons Show (11/40.2) | Crime Syndicated/City Hospital | Suspense | Danger | Local |
| NBC | NBC | 7:00 Local / 7:15 Short Short Dramas | 7:30 The Dinah Shore Show / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | Texaco Star Theater (5/46.7)/The Buick Circus Hour (once a month) (6/46.0) | Texaco Star Theater (5/46.7)/The Buick Circus Hour (once a month) (6/46.0) | Fireside Theatre (10/40.6) | Armstrong Circle Theater | Two for the Money | 10:30 Embassy Club / 10:45 On the Line with Considine |
| DMN | Fall | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | Life Is Worth Living | Keep Posted | Where Was I? | Quick on the Draw | Local | Local |
| DMN | December | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | Life Is Worth Living | Keep Posted | Where Was I? | Wisdom of the Ages | Local | Local |
| DMN | Spring | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | Life Is Worth Living | The Big Issue | Where Was I? | Wisdom of the Ages | Local | Local |
| DMN | Summer | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | Your Big Moment/Blind Date | The Big Issue | Where Was I? | Local | The Big Idea | Local |
Note: On December 16, 1952, Wisdom of the Ages replaced Quick on the Draw.

## Wednesday

| Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | Local | The Name's the Same | All-Star News | All-Star News | The Adventures of Ellery Queen | Wrestling From Rainbo Arena | Wrestling From Rainbo Arena | Wrestling From Rainbo Arena |
| CBS | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 The Perry Como Show | Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (3/47.1) | Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (3/47.1) | Strike It Rich (20/35.3) (Tied with What's My Line?) | Man Against Crime | 10:00 Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts (14/37.9) / 10:45 Sports Spot | 10:00 Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts (14/37.9) / 10:45 Sports Spot |
| NBC | Local | 7:30 Those Two / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | I Married Joan | Cavalcade of America/Scott Music Hall | Kraft Television Theater | Kraft Television Theater | This Is Your Life | Local |
| DMN | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Pro Football Highlights | Local | Local | Stage a Number | Stage a Number | Local | Local |

## Thursday

| Network | Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | ABC | Local | The Lone Ranger (28/33.7) (Tied with The Red Skelton Show) | All-Star News | Chance of a Lifetime | Perspectives | On Guard | Local | Local |
| CBS | Fall | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 Heaven for Betsy | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show | Amos 'n' Andy (25/34.4) /Four Star Playhouse | Biff Baker, U.S.A. | Big Town | Racket Squad | I've Got a Secret |
| CBS | Winter | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 Heaven for Betsy | The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show | Amos 'n' Andy (25/34.4) /Four Star Playhouse | Biff Baker, U.S.A. | Big Town | My Little Margie | I've Got a Secret |
| CBS | Summer | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 Heaven for Betsy | Take a Guess | Four Star Playhouse / Tales of the City | Lux Video Theatre | Big Town | My Little Margie | I've Got a Secret |
| NBC | NBC | 7:00 Local / 7:15 Short Short Dramas | 7:30 The Dinah Shore Show / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | You Bet Your Life (9/41.6) | Treasury Men in Action (27/34.2) | Dragnet (4/46.8) / Gang Busters (8/42.4) | Ford Theatre (30/33.6) | Martin Kane, Private Eye | Local |
| DMN | DMN | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | Local | Broadway to Hollywood – Headline Clues | Trash or Treasure | What's the Story | Author Meets the Critics | Local |

## Friday

| Network | Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | ABC | Local | The Stu Erwin Show (aka Trouble With Father) | The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet | All-Star News | All-Star News | Tales of Tomorrow | Local | Local |
| CBS | CBS | Local | 7:30 Douglas Edwards with the News / 7:45 The Perry Como Show | Mama (18/37.0) | My Friend Irma | Schlitz Playhouse of Stars | Our Miss Brooks (22/35.0) (Tied with The Big Story) | Mr. and Mrs. North | Local |
| NBC | Fall | 7:00 The Herman Hickmann Show / 7:15 Local | 7:30 Those Two / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | The RCA Victor Show Starring Dennis Day | Gulf Playhouse | The Big Story (22/35.0) (Tied with Our Miss Brooks) | The Aldrich Family | 10:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (24/34.7) / 10:45 Greatest Fights of the Century | 10:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (24/34.7) / 10:45 Greatest Fights of the Century |
| NBC | Winter | 7:00 The Herman Hickmann Show / 7:15 Local | 7:30 Those Two / 7:45 Camel News Caravan | The RCA Victor Show Starring Dennis Day | The Life of Riley (16/37.4) | The Big Story (22/35.0) (Tied with Our Miss Brooks) | The Aldrich Family | 10:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (24/34.7) / 10:45 Greatest Fights of the Century | 10:00 Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (24/34.7) / 10:45 Greatest Fights of the Century |
| DMN | Fall | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | This Is the Life Presents "The Fisher Family" | Dark of Night | Life Begins at Eighty | Local | Twenty Questions | Down You Go |
| DMN | Follow-up | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | Steve Randall | Dark of Night | Life Begins at Eighty | Local | Twenty Questions | Down You Go |
| DMN | Winter | Captain Video and His Video Rangers | Local | City Assignment | Dark of Night | Life Begins at Eighty | Local | Twenty Questions | Down You Go |
Notes: The RCA Victor Show Starring Dennis Day was aired in the first half of 1952 and was hence not a new series in the 1952-1953 season. It moved to Monday at 9 p.m. on NBC in the 1953-1954 season under the new title The Dennis Day Show, starring singer Dennis Day.
On Dumont, City Assignment, which ran from February to July 1953, consisted entirely of reruns of episodes of the CBS series Big Town.

## Saturday

| Network | Network | 7:00 PM | 7:30 PM | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM | 9:00 PM | 9:30 PM | 10:00 PM | 10:30 PM |
| ABC | ABC | Paul Whiteman's TV Teen Club | Live Like a Millionaire | Feature Playhouse | Feature Playhouse | Feature Playhouse | Feature Playhouse | Local | Local |
| CBS | CBS | The Stork Club | Beat the Clock | The Jackie Gleason Show | The Jackie Gleason Show | Jane Froman's U.S.A. Canteen | Meet Millie | Balance Your Budget | Battle of the Ages |
| NBC | Fall | Watch Mr. Wizard | My Little Margie | All-Star Revue (26/34.3) | All-Star Revue (26/34.3) | Your Show of Shows (19/36.0) | Your Show of Shows (19/36.0) | Your Show of Shows (19/36.0) | Your Hit Parade |
| NBC | November | Watch Mr. Wizard | My Hero | All-Star Revue (26/34.3) | All-Star Revue (26/34.3) | Your Show of Shows (19/36.0) | Your Show of Shows (19/36.0) | Your Show of Shows (19/36.0) | Your Hit Parade |
| DMN | DMN | Local | The Pet Shop | Local | Local | Local | Wrestling From Marigold | Wrestling From Marigold | Wrestling From Marigold |

## By network
### NBC

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.