2002–03 United States network television schedule

The 2002–03 U.S. television season was an interesting time for network television, as it marked the beginning of significant shifts in programming trends, particularly with the rise of reality television and the growing popularity of cable networks. Below is an overview of the network television schedule for the 2002–03 season, including major primetime shows and their time slots across the "Big Four" networks: ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox.

NOTE: This schedule reflects the general programming structure, but keep in mind that specific air times, particularly for some local markets, may have varied.

 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.
Other Legend
 Light blue indicates local programming.
 Gray indicates encore programming.
 Blue-gray indicates news programming.
 Light green indicates sporting events.
 Light Purple indicates movies. 
 Red indicates series being burned off and other scheduled programs, including specials.

PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Also not included are stations affiliated with Pax TV, as its schedule is composed mainly of syndicated reruns although it also carried a limited schedule of first-run programs.

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.ABC FallThe Wonderful World of DisneyAliasThe Practice WinterL.A. Dragnet SpringThe Practice CBS Fall60 Minutes Becker Bram & AliceCBS Sunday Movie Mid-fallVarious programming WinterMy Big Fat Greek Life  Becker Spring Becker Charlie Lawrence SummerWithout a Trace Fox FallMLB on Fox Mid-fallFuturamaThe Simpsons The SimpsonsKing of the HillMalcolm in the MiddleMalcolm in the Middle Local programming Late fallKing of the Hill Andy Richter Controls the Universe WinterThe Simpsons Malcolm in the Middle  Spring Oliver Beene The Pitts  Mid-springKing of the Hill The Simpsons Oliver Beene Late springFuturama King of the Hill Summer BanzaiMalcolm in the Middle  Mid-summer BanzaiKing of the Hill NBC FallDateline SundayAmerican DreamsLaw & Order: Criminal Intent Boomtown WinterKingpin SpringBoomtown Late springDateline Sunday Law & Order: Crime & Punishment Summer The Restaurant Mid-summerDateline SundayAmerican Dreams The WB FallGilmore Girls CharmedAngelLocal programming WinterHigh School Reunion SpringBlack Sash Mid-springCharmed  SummerBoarding House: North Shore  Mid-summerCharmed 

NOTE: Fox was to have aired Oliver Beene and The Grubbs on Sundays at 7:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., respectively, but instead made last-minute changes by postponing Oliver Beene to the following spring and canceling The Grubbs. In their places, King of the Hill and reruns of Malcolm in the Middle were slotted.

Monday
 Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABC Fall The Drew Carey Show Whose Line Is It Anyway?NFL Monday ShowcaseMonday Night Football  Mid-fallSpecial programming Late fallMonk  WinterVeritas: The QuestThe PracticeMiracles Late winterABC News programming SpringThe Practice  Late springVarious programmingPrimetime Live: Special Edition SummerABC Sports programmingCBS FallThe King of Queens Yes, Dear Everybody Loves Raymond Still Standing CSI: Miami  SummerYes, Dear Still Standing The King of Queens Fox FallSpecial programmingLocal programming Mid-fallBoston PublicSpecial programming WinterJoe Millionaire  Late winterMarried by America Spring Mr. Personality Summer Anything for LoveStupid Behavior Caught on Tape Paradise Hotel Mid-summerThe O.C. NBC FallFear Factor Third WatchCrossing Jordan SummerFor Love or MoneyWho Wants to Marry My Dad?UPN The Parkers One on One Girlfriends Half & HalfLocal programmingThe WB Fall7th HeavenEverwood Summer7th Heaven 

Tuesday
 Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABC Fall8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage DaughterAccording to Jim Life with Bonnie Less than Perfect NYPD Blue (#29/7.8) Spring According to JimLost at Home Follow Up Less than Perfect Summer 8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter Mid-Summer Life with BonnieCBS FallJAG (#22/8.9)The Guardian (#27/8.3)Judging Amy (#18/9.5) Mid-Summer Big Brother CupidFox Fall That '70s Show Grounded for Life Various SpecialsLocal Programming Follow Up MLB on FOX Late FallThat '70s Show That '70s Show (Repeats)24Local Programming December Andy Richter Controls the Universe WinterAmerican Idol (#5/12.6) Summer American Juniors Keen Eddie Mid-Summer The O.C. Late Summer Performing As...NBC Fall Just Shoot Me! In-LawsFrasier (#26/8.4) Hidden HillsDateline NBC Winter In-Laws Just Shoot Me!A.U.S.A. Kingpin MarchLet's Make a DealDateline NBC Follow Up Just Shoot Me! Good Morning Miami Watching Ellie SummerDog Eat DogLast Comic Standing Mid-Summer Law & Order: Special Victims UnitUPN FallBuffy the Vampire SlayerHaunted Local Programming November Girlfriends (Repeats) Various Comedy Encores Winter Abby  Girlfriends (Repeats) March Various Comedy & Drama Encores Spring Platinum Follow Up America's Next Top Model Summer America's Next Top Model (Repeats) Mid-Summer One on One AbbyBuffy the Vampire SlayerThe WBGilmore GirlsSmallville

NOTE: Grounded for Life was also originally scheduled to run on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on Fox, but it was pulled after two new episodes in September, and one in early December. The show moved to The WB in the spring in 2003.

Wednesday
 Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABC FallMy Wife & KidsGeorge LopezThe Bachelor (#16/9.9)MDs Follow Up Various ABC News Programs DecemberExtreme Makeover JanuaryThe Bachelor / The Bachelorette (#16/9.9) The Mole Mid-February I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! Various Specials SpringThe Bachelor / The Bachelorette (#16/9.9)All American Girl Late AprilExtreme Makeover Summer The Drew Carey Show The Drew Carey ShowThe Dating Experiment AugustThe Real Roseanne Show The Family Follow Up George Lopez The Drew Carey ShowCBS Fall 60 Minutes II The Amazing Race Presidio Med Winter Star Search 60 Minutes II 48 Hours Investigates June Various Specials Mid-Summer 60 Minutes II Big Brother Cupid Late summer  48 Hours InvestigatesFox Fall The Bernie Mac Show Cedric the Entertainer PresentsFastlaneLocal Programming WinterThat '70s ShowAmerican Idol (#6/12.5) The Bernie Mac Show Cedric the Entertainer Presents SpringAmerican Idol (#6/12.5)Wanda at Large Follow UpAmerican Idol (#6/12.5) The Bernie Mac Show Summer American Juniors Paradise HotelNBC FallEdThe West Wing (#21/9.0)Law & Order (#9/11.7) SpringDateline NBC Summer Fame Law & Order Mid-Summer Race to the Altar The West Wing (#21/9.0)UPNStar Trek: EnterpriseThe Twilight ZoneLocal ProgrammingThe WB Fall Dawson's Creek Birds of Prey Winter Angel Summer Boarding House: North Shore The Jamie Kennedy Experiment The Jamie Kennedy Experiment Mid-Summer Smallville Pepsi Smash

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 FallMonk Push, Nevada Primetime Thursday Late fallDinotopiaSpecial programming WinterSpecial programming Mid-winterProfiles from the Front LineAre You Hot?: The Search for America's Sexiest People SpringSpecial programming Mid-springNBA on ABC Late springABC Thursday Night MoviePrimetime Thursday SummerVarious programmingCBS FallSurvivor: Thailand CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Without a Trace  WinterStar Search Mid-winterSurvivor: The Amazon  SpringThe Amazing RaceFox FallMLB on Fox Mid-fall30 Seconds to FameSpecial programmingLocal programming Late fallFox Thursday Night Movie WinterJoe Millionaire The Pulse SpringVarious programming Late spring Stupid Behavior Caught on Tape 30 Seconds to Fame SummerVarious programmingTemptation IslandNBC FallFriends Scrubs      Will & Grace Good Morning, Miami ER  SpringFrasier UPN WWE Thursday Night SmackDown!Local programmingThe WB FallFamily AffairDo OverThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment Off Centre Late fallThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment  Winter High School Reunion (Repeats) The Surreal Life The Jamie Kennedy Experiment Late winterSabrina the Teenage Witch Family AffairThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment  SpringVarious programming The Jamie Kennedy Experiment On the Spot Mid-springThe WB Thursday Night Movie Late springVarious programming The O'KeefesThe Jamie Kennedy Experiment  SummerThe WB Thursday Night Movie

NOTE: Movies, baseball games, reruns, and specials comprised most of the programming Thursday nights on Fox. Septuplets was supposed to air at 9-10, but it was cancelled at the last minute.

Friday
 Network 8:00 PM 8:30 PM 9:00 PM 9:30 PM 10:00 PM 10:30 PMABC FallAmerica's Funniest Home VideosVarious programming20/20 Mid-fall Whose Line Is It Anyway? The Drew Carey Show Spring8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter  Regular Joe Mid-springAmerica's Funniest Home Videos  SummerWhose Line Is It Anyway?CBS Fall48 HoursHackRobbery Homicide Division  Late fallSpecial programming WinterStar Search48 Hours Spring Baby BobYes, Dear  SummerBig BrotherJAG Fox FallFireflyJohn Doe Local programming WinterFastlane SummerThe Bernie Mac Show Wanda at Large Boston Public NBC FallProvidenceDateline FridayLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit  WinterMister Sterling SpringAmerica's Most Talented KidEd Mid-springDateline FridayUPNUPN's Night at the MoviesLocal programmingThe WB FallWhat I Like About YouSabrina the Teenage WitchReba Greetings from Tucson  WinterGrounded for Life Spring Greetings from Tucson

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.ABCABC Saturday Movie of the WeekCBSTouched by an AngelThe DistrictThe AgencyFox COPSCOPS America's Most Wanted:America Fights BackLocal programmingNBC FallNBC Saturday Night Movie Winter Law & Order  Law & Order: Criminal Intent  Law & Order: Special Victims Unit  SpringHunter Law & Order  Late springNBC Saturday Night Movie Summer Just Shoot Me! NBC Saturday Night Movie

By network
ABC

Returning series
20/20
ABC Saturday Movie of the Week
ABC Thursday Night Movie
According to Jim
Alias
America's Funniest Home Videos
The Bachelor
The Drew Carey Show
George Lopez
The Mole
Monday Night Football
Monk
My Wife and Kids
NYPD Blue
The Practice
Primetime
Whose Line is it Anyway?
The Wonderful World of Disney

New series
8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter
Are You Hot?: The Search for America's Sexiest People *
The Bachelorette
The Dating Experiment *
Dinotopia
Extreme Makeover *
The Family *
I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here *
L.A. Dragnet *
Less than Perfect
Life with Bonnie
Lost at Home *
MDs
Miracles
Profiles from the Front Line *
Push, Nevada
The Real Roseanne Show *
Regular Joe *
That Was Then
Veritas: The Quest *

Not returning from 2001–02:
ABC Big Picture Show
The ABC Monday Night Movie
Bob Patterson
The Chair
The Court
Dharma & Greg
Houston Medical
The Job
Once and Again
Philly
Spin City
Thieves
Vanished
The Wayne Brady Show
Wednesday 9:30 (8:30 Central)
What About Joan?
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire
Widows

CBS

Returning series
48 Hours
60 Minutes
60 Minutes II
The Agency
The Amazing Race
Baby Bob
Becker
Big Brother
CBS Sunday Movie
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation
The District
Everybody Loves Raymond
The Guardian
JAG
Judging Amy
The King of Queens
Survivor
Touched by an Angel
Yes, Dear

New series
Bram & Alice
Charlie Lawrence *
CSI: Miami
Hack
My Big Fat Greek Life *
Presidio Med
Queens Supreme *
Robbery Homicide Division
Star Search *
Still Standing
Without a Trace

Not returning from 2001–02:
Citizen Baines
Danny
The Education of Max Bickford
The Ellen Show
Family Law
First Monday
That's Life
Wolf Lake

Fox

Returning series
 24
 30 Seconds to Fame
 American Idol
 America's Most Wanted: America Fights Back
 Andy Richter Controls the Universe
 The Bernie Mac Show
 Boston Public
 Cops
 Fox Thursday Night Movie
 Futurama
 King of the Hill
 Malcolm in the Middle
 The Simpsons
 Temptation Island
 That '70s Show
 Totally Outrageous Behavior

New series
 American Juniors *
 Anything for Love *
 Banzai! *
 Cedric the Entertainer Presents
 Fastlane
 Firefly
 Girls Club
 Joe Millionaire *
 John Doe
 Keen Eddie *
 Married by America *
 Mr. Personality *
 Oliver Beene *
 Paradise Hotel *
 Performing As... *
 The Pitts *
 Stupid Behavior Caught on Tape *
 Wanda at Large *


Not returning from 2001–02:
 Ally McBeal
 The American Embassy
 Beyond Belief: Fact or Fiction
 The Chamber
 Dark Angel
 Family Guy (returned for 2004-05)
 Greg the Bunny
 Grounded for Life (moved to The WB)
 Guinness World Records Primetime
 Love Cruise
 Pasadena
 That '80s Show
 The Tick
 Titus
 Undeclared
 World's Wildest Police Videos
 The X-Files (returned for 2015-16)

NBC

Returning series
Crossing Jordan
Dateline NBC
Dog Eat Dog
Ed
ER
Fear Factor
Frasier
Friends
Just Shoot Me!
Law & Order
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit
Meet My Folks
Providence
Scrubs
Third Watch
Watching Ellie
The West Wing
Will & Grace

New series
America's Most Talented Kid *
American Dreams
A.U.S.A. *
Boomtown
Fame *
Good Morning, Miami
For Love or Money *
Hidden Hills
In-Laws
Kingpin *
Last Comic Standing *
Mister Sterling *
Race to the Altar *
The Restaurant *
Who Wants to Marry My Dad? *

Not returning from 2001–02:
Emeril
Imagine That
Inside Schwartz
Leap of Faith
Lost
The Rerun Show
Spy TV
Three Sisters
UC: Undercover
The Weakest Link (returned for 2020-21)

UPN

Returning series
Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Girlfriends
One on One
The Parkers
Star Trek: Enterprise
UPN's Night at the Movies
WWE SmackDown!

New series
Abby *
America's Next Top Model *
Half & Half
Haunted
Platinum *
The Twilight Zone

Not returning from 2001–02:
As If
The Hughleys
The Random Years
Roswell
Under One Roof

The WB

Returning series
7th Heaven
Angel
Charmed
Dawson’s Creek
Flix From the Frog
Gilmore Girls
Grounded for Life (moved from FOX)
The Jamie Kennedy Experiment
Off Centre
Reba
Sabrina the Teenage Witch
Smallville

New series
Birds of Prey
Black Sash *
Boarding House: North Shore *
Do Over
Everwood
Family Affair
Greetings from Tucson
High School Reunion *
The O'Keefes *
On the Spot *
Pepsi Smash *
The Surreal Life *
What I Like About You

Not returning from 2001–02:
Elimidate Deluxe
Felicity
For Your Love
Glory Days
Maybe It's Me
Men, Women & Dogs
My Guide to Becoming a Rock Star
Nikki
Popstars USA
Raising Dad
Ripley's Believe It or Not!
The Steve Harvey Show

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

Renewals and cancellations
Renewals
ABC
8 Simple Rules—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
According to Jim—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Alias—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Dragnet—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The Drew Carey Show—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
George Lopez—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Less than Perfect—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Life with Bonnie—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
My Wife and Kids—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
NYPD Blue—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The Practice—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.

CBS
Becker—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
CSI: Miami—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The District—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Everybody Loves Raymond—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The Guardian—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Hack—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
JAG—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Judging Amy—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The King of Queens—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Still Standing—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Without a Trace—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Yes, Dear—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.

Fox
24—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The Bernie Mac Show—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Boston Public—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Futurama
King of the Hill—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Malcolm in the Middle—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Oliver Beene—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The Simpsons—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
That '70s Show—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Wanda at Large—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.

NBC
American Dreams—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Boomtown—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Crossing Jordan—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Ed—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
ER—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Frasier—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Friends—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Good Morning, Miami—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Law & Order—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Law & Order: Criminal Intent—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Law & Order: Special Victims Unit—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Scrubs—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Third Watch—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The West Wing—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Will & Grace—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.

UPN
Girlfriends—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Half & Half—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
One on One—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
The Parkers—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Star Trek: Enterprise—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.

The WB
7th Heaven—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Angel—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Charmed—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Everwood—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Gilmore Girls—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Grounded for Life—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Reba—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
Smallville—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.
What I Like About You—Renewed for the 2003–2004 season.

Cancellations/series endings
ABC
Lost at Home—Canceled after one season. Gregory Hines died on August 9, 2003, at the age of 57.
MDs—Canceled after one season.
Miracles—Canceled after one season.
Regular Joe—Canceled after one season.
That Was Then—Canceled after one season.

CBS
The Agency—Canceled after two seasons.
Baby Bob—Canceled after two seasons.
Bram & Alice—Canceled after one season.
Charlie Lawrence—Canceled after one season.
My Big Fat Greek Life—Canceled after one season.
Presidio Med—Canceled after one season.
Queens Supreme—Canceled after one season.
Robbery Homicide Division—Canceled after one season.
Touched by an Angel—Ended after nine seasons.

Fox
Andy Richter Controls the Universe—Canceled after two seasons.
Fastlane—Canceled after one season.
Firefly—Canceled after one season.
Girls Club—Canceled after one season.
John Doe—Canceled after one season.
Keen Eddie—Canceled after one season.
Paradise Hotel—Revived for the 2018–2019 season.
The Pitts—Canceled after one season.
Temptation Island—Moved to USA in 2019.

NBC
A.U.S.A.—Canceled after one season.
Hidden Hills—Canceled after one season.
Hunter—Canceled after one season.
In-Laws—Canceled after one season.
Just Shoot Me!—Ended after seven seasons. The final 3 episodes of Just Shoot Me! aired in syndication from November 24, 2003, until November 26, 2003.
Kingpin—Canceled after one season.
Mister Sterling—Canceled after one season.
Providence—Ended after five seasons.
Watching Ellie—Canceled after two seasons.

UPN
Abby—Canceled after one season.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer—Ended after seven seasons.
Haunted—Canceled after one season.
Platinum—Canceled after one season.
The Twilight Zone—Canceled after one season.

The WB
Birds of Prey—Canceled after one season.
Black Sash—Canceled after one season.
Dawson's Creek—Ended after six seasons.
Do Over—Canceled after one season.
Family Affair—Canceled after one season.
Greetings from Tucson—Canceled after one season.
The O'Keefes—Canceled after one season.
On the Spot—Canceled after one season.
Off Centre—Canceled after two seasons.
Sabrina the Teenage Witch—Ended after seven seasons.

References

Category:2002 in American television
Category:2003 in American television
Category:Television schedules