2010–11 United States network television schedule
Television schedule for the fall of 2010
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2010–11 network television schedule for the five major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers prime time hours from September 2010 through August 2011. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series canceled after the 2009–10 season. As in previous years, the schedule omits the Public Broadcasting Service (whose programming is listed here).
NBC was the first to announce its fall schedule on May 16, 2010,[1] followed by Fox on May 17,[2] ABC on May 18,[3] CBS on May 19,[4] and The CW on May 20, 2010.[5]
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Ion Television is also not included since the network's schedule consisted mainly of syndicated reruns and movies. The CW is not included on weekends, since it does not offer network programming. Beginning this season, MyNetworkTV is completely excluded similarly to The CW Plus; with the loss of WWE Friday Night SmackDown to Syfy, it has a schedule of all archived and rerun programming.
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.[6]
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 regularly scheduled programs including specials.
- Yellow indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
- Cyan indicates the top-20 most watched programs of the season.
- Magenta indicates the top-30 most watched programs of the season.
Sunday
Monday
Note: In February 2011, CBS and Warner Bros. stop producing Two and a Half Men for the rest of the season because of the firing of Charlie Sheen. So it aired reruns of the show.
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
| Network | 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 | Fall | Supernanny | Primetime | 20/20 | |||
| Winter | |||||||
| Spring | Shark Tank | ||||||
| Summer | |||||||
| CBS | Fall | Medium | CSI: NY | Blue Bloods (14/8.0) (Tied with The Big Bang Theory) | |||
| Winter | The Defenders | Criminal Minds | |||||
| Mid-winter | Blue Bloods (14/8.0) (Tied with The Big Bang Theory) | ||||||
| Spring | CHAOS[7] | ||||||
| Mid-spring | Flashpoint | ||||||
| Summer | |||||||
| The CW | Fall | Smallville | Supernatural | Local programming | |||
| Winter | |||||||
| Spring | |||||||
| Summer | Nikita (R) | ||||||
| Fox | Fall | House (R) | The Good Guys | ||||
| Winter | Kitchen Nightmares | Fringe | |||||
| Spring | |||||||
| Summer | Bones (R) | House (R) | |||||
| NBC | Fall | Dateline NBC | Outlaw | ||||
| Mid-fall | School Pride | Dateline NBC | |||||
| Winter | Who Do You Think You Are? | ||||||
| Spring | Friday Night Lights (R) | ||||||
| Summer | Friends with Benefits | ||||||
Saturday
| Network | 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 | Fall | Saturday Night Football (continued to game completion) | |||||
| Winter | ABC Saturday Movie of the Week | ||||||
| Spring | |||||||
| Summer | |||||||
| CBS | Crimetime Saturday | 48 Hours | |||||
| Fox | Fall | COPS | COPS (R) | America's Most Wanted | Local programming | ||
| Winter | |||||||
| Spring | Fox Sports programming | ||||||
| Late spring | COPS | COPS (R) | America's Most Wanted | ||||
| Summer | Family Guy (R) | The Cleveland Show (R) | |||||
| Late summer | American Dad! (R) | ||||||
| NBC | Fall | Law & Order: LA (R) | Chase (R) | Law & Order: Special Victims Unit (R) | |||
| Mid-fall | Outlaw (R) | Law & Order: LA (R) | |||||
| Winter | Chase (R) | ||||||
| Mid-winter | Harry's Law (R) | ||||||
| Spring | Chase | ||||||
| Summer | |||||||
By network
ABC
CBS
|
Returning series[4] |
New series[4] |
Not returning from 2009–10:
|
The CW
Fox
NBC
Renewals and cancellations
Full season pickups
ABC
- Better With You – On October 25, 2010, ABC ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.[30]
- Brothers & Sisters – On October 14, 2010, ABC ordered 4 additional scripts for the series.[31] and then on October 25, 2010, ABC ordered a full 22-episode season.[30]
- Detroit 1-8-7 – Picked up for 5 additional episodes for an 18-episode season on October 25, 2010.[30]
- No Ordinary Family – On October 14, 2010, ABC ordered 4 additional scripts for the series,[31] and then on October 25, 2010, ABC ordered a full 22-episode season.[30]
- Off the Map – On October 14, 2010, ABC ordered 1 additional script for the series.[31] On October 26, 2010, they ordered an additional 5 scripts, bringing the series order to 7 episodes plus 6 scripts.[32]
CBS
- $#*! My Dad Says – On October 21, 2010, CBS ordered a 19-episode season of the series plus 3 additional scripts.[33]
- Blue Bloods – On October 21, 2010, CBS ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.[33]
- The Defenders – On October 21, 2010, CBS ordered a 19-episode season of the series plus 3 additional scripts.[33]
- Hawaii Five-0 – On October 21, 2010, CBS ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.[33]
- Mike & Molly – On October 21, 2010, CBS ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.
The CW
- Hellcats – On September 23, 2010, The CW ordered 6 additional scripts for the series[34] and then on October 22, 2010, The CW ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.[35]
- Nikita – On October 22, 2010, The CW Ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.[35]
- One Tree Hill – On September 23, 2010, The CW ordered 6 additional scripts for the series[34] and then on October 22, 2010, The CW ordered a full 22-episode season of the series.[35]
Fox
- Human Target – On October 22, 2010, FOX ordered 2 additional scripts for the series.[36]
- Raising Hope – On October 6, 2010, the show was given a full 22-episode season, making it the first new show to ever get a full season order.[37]
NBC
- Chase – Picked up for a full 22-episode season on October 19, 2010,[38] although this was later reduced to 18 episodes.[39]
- Chuck – Picked up for a 24-episode season October 19, 2010.[40]
- Community – On November 3, 2010, NBC ordered 2 additional episodes, bringing its current season to 24 episodes.[41]
- The Event – Picked up for a full 22-episode season on October 18, 2010.[42]
- Law & Order: LA – Picked up for a full 22-episode season on October 18, 2010.[42]
- Outsourced – Picked up for a full 22-episode season on October 18, 2010.[42]
Renewals
ABC
- 20/20 – Announced on the fall schedule on May 17, 2011.
- America's Funniest Home Videos – Announced on the fall schedule on May 17, 2011.
- The Bachelor – Picked up for a sixteenth season on March 14, 2011.[43]
- The Bachelorette – Picked up for a seventh season on March 14, 2011.[43]
- Body of Proof – Picked up for a second season on May 13, 2011.[44]
- Castle – Picked up for a fourth season on January 10, 2011.[45]
- Cougar Town – Picked up for a third season on January 10, 2011.[45]
- Dancing with the Stars– Announced on the fall schedule for a thirteenth season on May 17, 2011.
- Desperate Housewives– Announced on the fall schedule for an eighth season on May 17, 2011.
- Extreme Makeover: Home Edition– Announced on the fall schedule for a ninth season on May 17, 2011.
- Grey's Anatomy – Picked up for an eighth season on January 10, 2011.[45]
- Happy Endings – Picked up for a second season on May 13, 2011.[44]
- The Middle – Picked up for a third season on January 10, 2011.[45]
- Modern Family – Picked up for a third season on January 10, 2011.[45]
- Private Practice – Picked up for a fifth season on January 10, 2011.[45]
- Secret Millionaire – Picked up for a third season on May 13, 2011.[44]
- Shark Tank – Picked up for a third season on May 13, 2011.[44]
CBS
- 48 Hours Mystery – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for May 18, 2011.[46]
- 60 Minutes – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for on May 18, 2011.[46]
- The Amazing Race – Picked up for a nineteenth season on March 28, 2011.[47]
- The Big Bang Theory – Picked up for three additional seasons on January 12, 2011, running through its seventh season in 2013/14.[48]
- Blue Bloods – Picked up for a second season on May 15, 2011.[49]
- Criminal Minds – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for a seventh season on May 18, 2011.[46]
- CSI: Crime Scene Investigation – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for a twelfth season on May 18, 2011.[46]
- CSI: Miami – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for a tenth season on May 18, 2011.[46]
- CSI: NY – Picked up for an eighth season on May 17, 2011.[50]
- The Good Wife – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for a third season on May 18, 2011.[46]
- Hawaii Five-0 – Picked up for a second season on May 15, 2011.[49]
- How I Met Your Mother – Picked up for two additional seasons on March 4, 2011, running through its eighth season in 2012/13.[51]
- The Mentalist – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for a fourth season on May 18, 2011.[46]
- Mike & Molly – Picked up for a second season on May 15, 2011.[49]
- NCIS – Picked up for a ninth season on February 2, 2011.[52]
- NCIS: Los Angeles – Announced on the 2011/12 schedule for a third season on May 18, 2011.[46]
- Rules of Engagement – Picked up for a sixth season on May 17, 2011.[53]
- Survivor – Picked up for two additional seasons on March 9, 2011.[54]
- Two and a Half Men – Previously picked for an eighth and ninth season, but the show's eighth season was speculative after the firing of its star Charlie Sheen. However, CBS and Warner Bros. officially announced that Ashton Kutcher would join the cast as Sheen's replacement for the ninth season.[55]
- Undercover Boss – Picked up for a third season on March 28, 2011.[47]
The CW
- 90210 – Picked up for a fourth season on April 26, 2011.[56]
- America's Next Top Model – Picked up for two more cycles in the 2011/12 season on April 26, 2011.[56]
- Gossip Girl – Picked up for a fifth season on April 26, 2011.[56]
- Nikita – Picked up for a second season on May 17, 2011.[57]
- One Tree Hill – Picked up for a ninth season on May 17, 2011.[57]
- Supernatural – Picked up for a seventh season on April 26, 2011.[56]
- The Vampire Diaries – Picked up for a third season on April 26, 2011.[56]
Fox
- America's Most Wanted - Scheduled to air as two-hour monthly specials for the 2011/12 TV season.
- American Dad! – Picked up through the 2012/13 television season (seventh and eighth season) on February 23, 2011.[58]
- American Idol – Details for the season eleven auditions were announced on May 5, 2011.[59]
- Bob's Burgers – Picked up for a second season on April 7, 2011.[60]
- Breaking In – Picked up for a second season on August 24, 2011.[61]
- Bones – Picked up for a seventh season on May 3, 2011.[62]
- The Cleveland Show – Picked up for a third season on June 10, 2010.[63]
- Family Guy – Picked up in 2008 through at least 2012.
- Fringe – Picked up for a fourth season of 22 episodes on March 24, 2011.[64]
- Glee – Picked up for a third season on May 23, 2010.
- House – Picked up for an eighth and final season on May 10, 2011.[65][66]
- Mobbed – Picked up for eight episodes on April 1, 2011, after a successful special debut.[67]
- Raising Hope – Picked up for a second season on January 11, 2011.
- The Simpsons – Picked up for a twenty-third season on November 11, 2010.[68]
NBC
- 30 Rock – Picked up for a sixth season on November 15, 2010.[69]
- The Biggest Loser – Picked up for a twelfth season on February 22, 2011.[70]
- Celebrity Apprentice – Announced as being on NBC's fall schedule on May 15, 2011.[71]
- Chuck – Picked up for a fifth and final season of 13 episodes on May 13, 2011.[72]
- Community – Picked up for a third season on March 17, 2011.[73]
- Harry's Law – Picked up for a second season on May 12, 2011.[74]
- Law & Order: Special Victims Unit – Announced as being on NBC's fall schedule for a 13th season on May 15, 2011 after departure of its star-Christopher Meloni.[71]
- The Office – Picked up for an eighth season on March 17, 2011.[73]
- Parenthood – Picked up for a third season on May 12, 2011.[74]
- Parks and Recreation – Picked up for a fourth season on March 17, 2011.[73]
- The Sing-Off – Picked up for a third season on February 22, 2011.[70]
- The Voice – Announced as being on NBC's fall schedule for a 2nd season on May 15, 2011.[71]
- Who Do You Think You Are? – Picked up for a third season on February 22, 2011.[70]
Cancellations/Series endings
ABC
- Better With You – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[75]
- Brothers & Sisters – Canceled on May 13, 2011, after five seasons.[75]
- Detroit 1-8-7 – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[75]
- Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution - Canceled on June 24, 2011, after two seasons.[76]
- Mr. Sunshine – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[75]
- My Generation – Canceled on October 1, 2010, after two episodes.[77]
- No Ordinary Family – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[75]
- Off the Map – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[75]
- Skating with the Stars – ABC announced the show will not have a second season.[78]
- Supernanny – Jo Frost announced on November 7, 2010, that she is leaving the show to start a family of her own, thus ending the series' run after seven seasons.[79]
- V – Canceled on May 13, 2011, after two seasons.[75]
- The Whole Truth – Canceled on October 25, 2010.[80]
CBS
- $#*! My Dad Says – Canceled on May 15, 2011.[81]
- CHAOS – Canceled on April 18, 2011, after three episodes.[82]
- Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior – Canceled on May 17, 2011.[50]
- The Defenders – Canceled on May 15, 2011.[81]
- Flashpoint – CBS will pick up 7 of the 18 episodes from Season 4 to air with the 6 unaired Season 3 segments for a 13-episode run during the summer. Soon after that, ION is expected to begin airing all 51 episodes of the show that will have aired on CBS. Additionally, ION will premiere the remaining 11 episodes of Flashpoint's fourth season.[83]
- Live to Dance – Due to dismal ratings, it was announced that the show will not return for a second season.
- Mad Love – Canceled on May 15, 2011.[81]
- Medium – Canceled on November 18, 2010, after seven seasons.[84] The series has been concluded on January 21, 2011.
The CW
- Hellcats – Canceled on May 17, 2011.[57]
- Life Unexpected – The show's cancellation was confirmed when Warner Brothers chose to release both seasons of the show on DVD. The series ended on January 18, 2011.[85]
- Smallville – It was announced on March 4, 2010, that season ten would be the final season. The series has been concluded on May 13, 2011.[86]
Fox
- America's Most Wanted - Canceled on May 16, 2011, after twenty-four seasons. The series moved to Lifetime for its twenty-fifth season. On January 22, 2021, it was announced that the series would return for a twenty-sixth season.[87]
- The Chicago Code – Canceled on May 10, 2011.[88]
- The Good Guys – Fox announced the show will not have a second season.[89]
- Human Target – Canceled on May 10, 2011.[88]
- Lie to Me – Canceled on May 10, 2011, after three seasons.[88]
- Lone Star – Canceled on September 28, 2010, after airing only two episodes. This was the first cancellation of the season.[90]
- Million Dollar Money Drop – Canceled on August 5, 2011.[91]
- Running Wilde – The show was pulled from November sweeps, with the remaining episodes to air through December. On November 30, 2010 FOX announced that no new episodes would be ordered.[92][93]
- Traffic Light – Canceled on May 10, 2011.[88]
NBC
- America's Next Great Restaurant – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[94]
- The Cape – The show was officially canceled on March 2, 2011, due to low ratings. At that time, only 9 out of 10 episodes have aired as NBC announced the series finale would be aired on their website.[95]
- Chase – Officially placed on hiatus on February 3, 2011, and eventually canceled.[96] The remaining five episodes were burned off on Saturdays through April 23, 2011.[97]
- The Event – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[98]
- Friday Night Lights – The fifth season premiered on April 15, 2011, after ending the series broadcast on DirecTV's owned The 101 Network.[99] The series finale aired on July 8, 2011.[100]
- Law & Order: LA – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[98]
- Outlaw – Canceled on October 11, 2010.[101]
- Outsourced – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[98]
- The Paul Reiser Show – Canceled on April 22, 2011, after two episodes.[102]
- Perfect Couples – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[103] It was placed on hiatus, then canceled and replaced by The Paul Reiser Show on April 14, 2011, with two episodes left to air.[104]
- School Pride – Canceled on May 13, 2011.[105]
- Undercovers – Canceled on November 4, 2010, after seven episodes.[106][107]
See also
Top weekly ratings
- Data sources: AC Nielsen, TV by the Numbers
Total Viewers
| Week | Name | Viewers (in millions) |
Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 30-September 5 | America's Got Talent 8/31[108] | 11.50 | NBC |
| September 6-September 12 | NFL Thursday Night Opener: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints[109] | 27.49 | NBC |
| September 13-September 19 | Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts[110] | 23.10 | NBC |
| September 20-September 26 | Dancing with the Stars 9/20[111] | 21.29 | ABC |
| September 27-October 3 | Dancing with the Stars 9/27[112] | 21.34 | ABC |
| October 4-October 10 | Dancing with the Stars 10/4[113] | 19.89 | ABC |
| October 11-October 17 | Dancing with the Stars 10/11[114] | 19.53 | ABC |
| October 18-October 24 | Sunday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers[115] | 25.68 | NBC |
| October 25-October 31 | Dancing with the Stars 10/25[116] | 20.41 | ABC |
| November 1-November 7 | Dancing with the Stars 11/1[117] | 19.93 | ABC |
| November 8-November 14 | Sunday Night Football: New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers[118] | 21.18 | NBC |
| November 15-November 21 | Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles[119] | 23.20 | NBC |
| November 22-November 28 | Dancing with the Stars 11/23[120] | 24.20 | ABC |
| November 29-December 5 | Sunday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens[121] | 22.51 | NBC |
| December 6-December 12 | Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys[122] | 25.73 | NBC |
| December 13-December 19 | Sunday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots[123] | 24.17 | NBC |
| December 20-December 26 | NCIS (Repeat)[124] | 12.25 | CBS |
| December 27-January 2 | NFL Tuesday Night Special: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles[125] | 23.74 | NBC |
| January 3-January 9 | AFC Wild Card Playoff: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts[126] | 33.35 | NBC |
| January 10-January 16 | AFC Divisional Playoff: New York Jets at New England Patriots Postgame[127] | 31.24 | CBS |
| January 17-January 23 | AFC Championship Game: New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers[128] | 54.85 | CBS |
| January 24-January 30 | American Idol 1/26[129] | 25.33 | FOX |
| January 31-February 6 | Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers[130] | 111.01 | FOX |
| February 7-February 13 | 53rd Grammy Awards[131] | 26.67 | CBS |
| February 14-February 20 | American Idol 2/16[132] | 23.20 | FOX |
| February 21-February 27 | 83rd Academy Awards[133] | 37.92 | ABC |
| February 28-March 6 | American Idol 3/3[134] | 25.26 | FOX |
| March 7-March 13 | American Idol 3/9[135] | 24.40 | FOX |
| March 14-March 20 | American Idol 3/16[136] | 22.58 | FOX |
| March 21-March 27 | American Idol 3/23[137] | 23.95 | FOX |
| March 28-April 3 | American Idol 3/30[138] | 24.18 | FOX |
| April 4-April 10 | American Idol 4/6[139] | 23.13 | FOX |
| April 11-April 17 | American Idol 4/13[140] | 23.03 | FOX |
| April 18-April 24 | American Idol 4/20[141] | 22.54 | FOX |
| April 25-May 1 | Dancing With The Stars 4/25[142] | 22.38 | ABC |
| May 2-May 8 | Dancing with the Stars 5/2[143] | 21.40 | ABC |
| May 9-May 15 | American Idol 5/11[144] | 23.05 | FOX |
| May 16-May 22 | American Idol 5/18[145] | 23.56 | FOX |
| May 23-May 29 | American Idol 5/25[146] | 29.29 | FOX |
| May 30-June 5 | 2011 NBA Finals Game 2: Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat[147] | 15.52 | ABC |
| June 6-June 12 | 2011 NBA Finals Game 6: Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat[148] | 23.88 | ABC |
| June 13-June 19 | America's Got Talent 6/14[149] | 12.59 | NBC |
| June 20-June 26 | America's Got Talent 6/22[150] | 13.50 | NBC |
| June 27-July 3 | America's Got Talent 6/29[151] | 13.71 | NBC |
| July 4-July 10 | America's Got Talent 7/5[152] | 15.78 | NBC |
| July 11-July 17 | America's Got Talent 7/12[153] | 14.07 | NBC |
| July 18-July 24 | America's Got Talent 7/19[154] | 13.04 | NBC |
| July 25-July 31 | America's Got Talent 7/26[155] | 11.54 | NBC |
| August 1-August 7 | America's Got Talent 8/2[156] | 11.92 | NBC |
| August 8-August 14 | America's Got Talent 8/9[157] | 11.46 | NBC |
| August 15-August 21 | NFL Preseason Special: San Diego Chargers at Dallas Cowboys[158] | 10.68 | NBC |
| August 22-August 28 | America's Got Talent 8/23[159] | 11.99 | NBC |
18-49 Viewers
| Week | Name | Viewers (in millions) |
Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 30-September 5 | America's Got Talent 8/31[108] | 3.0 | NBC |
| September 6-September 12 | NFL Thursday Night Opener: Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints[109] | 10.7 | NBC |
| September 13-September 19 | Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts[110] | 9.2 | NBC |
| September 20-September 26 | Sunday Night Football: New York Jets at Miami Dolphins[111] | 7.3 | NBC |
| September 27-October 3 | Sunday Night Football: Chicago Bears at New York Giants[112] | 8.0 | NBC |
| October 4-October 10 | Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at San Francisco 49ers[113] | 6.7 | NBC |
| October 11-October 17 | Sunday Night Football: Indianapolis Colts at Washington Redskins[114] | 7.4 | NBC |
| October 18-October 24 | Sunday Night Football: Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers[115] | 9.8 | NBC |
| October 25-October 31 | Sunday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at New Orleans Saints[116] | 7.3 | NBC |
| November 1-November 7 | Sunday Night Football: Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers[117] | 7.4 | NBC |
| November 8-November 14 | Sunday Night Football: New England Patriots at Pittsburgh Steelers[118] | 8.1 | NBC |
| November 15-November 21 | Sunday Night Football: New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles[119] | 8.8 | NBC |
| November 22-November 28 | Sunday Night Football: San Diego Chargers at Indianapolis Colts[120] | 7.1 | NBC |
| November 29-December 5 | Sunday Night Football: Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens[121] | 8.3 | NBC |
| December 6-December 12 | Sunday Night Football: Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys[122] | 9.5 | NBC |
| December 13-December 19 | Sunday Night Football: Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots[123] | 8.6 | NBC |
| December 20-December 26 | The OT[124] | 4.2 | FOX |
| December 27-January 2 | NFL Tuesday Night Special: Minnesota Vikings at Philadelphia Eagles[125] | 8.1 | NBC |
| January 3-January 9 | AFC Wild Card Playoff: New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts[126] | 11.8 | NBC |
| January 10-January 16 | NFC Divisional Playoff: Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons[127] | 11.2 | FOX |
| January 17-January 23 | AFC Championship Game: New York Jets at Pittsburgh Steelers[128] | 19.7 | CBS |
| January 24-January 30 | American Idol 1/26[129] | 9.2 | FOX |
| January 31-February 6 | Super Bowl XLV: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Green Bay Packers[130] | 39.9 | FOX |
| February 7-February 13 | 53rd Grammy Awards[131] | 10.0 | CBS |
| February 14-February 20 | American Idol 2/16[132] | 8.2 | FOX |
| February 21-February 27 | 83rd Academy Awards[133] | 11.8 | ABC |
| February 28-March 6 | American Idol 3/3[134] | 8.2 | FOX |
| March 7-March 13 | American Idol 3/9[135] | 8.1 | FOX |
| March 14-March 20 | American Idol 3/16[136] | 7.6 | FOX |
| March 21-March 27 | American Idol 3/23[137] | 7.9 | FOX |
| March 28-April 3 | American Idol 3/30[138] | 7.7 | FOX |
| April 4-April 10 | American Idol 4/6[160] | 7.3 | FOX |
| April 11-April 17 | American Idol 4/13[161] | 7.3 | FOX |
| April 18-April 24 | American Idol 4/20[162] | 7.1 | FOX |
| April 25-May 1 | American Idol 4/27[142] | 7.1 | FOX |
| May 2-May 8 | American Idol 5/4[163] | 6.6 | FOX |
| May 9-May 15 | American Idol 5/11[164] | 7.1 | FOX |
| May 16-May 22 | American Idol 5/18[145] | 7.4 | FOX |
| May 23-May 29 | American Idol 5/25[146] | 9.2 | FOX |
| May 30-June 5 | 2011 NBA Finals Game 1: Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat[147] | 6.5 | ABC |
| June 6-June 12 | 2011 NBA Finals Game 6: Dallas Mavericks at Miami Heat[165] | 9.7 | ABC |
| June 13-June 19 | The Voice[166] | 4.6 | NBC |
| June 20-June 26 | The Voice 6/21[167] | 4.4 | NBC |
| June 27-July 3 | The Voice 6/28[151] | 4.4 | NBC |
| July 4-July 10 | America's Got Talent 7/5[168] | 4.6 | NBC |
| July 11-July 17 | America's Got Talent 7/12[169] | 4.0 | NBC |
| July 18-July 24 | America's Got Talent 7/19[154] | 3.6 | NBC |
| July 25-July 31 | America's Got Talent 7/26[170] | 3.1 | NBC |
| August 1-August 7 | America's Got Talent 8/2[171] | 3.1 | NBC |
| August 8-August 14 | America's Got Talent 8/9[172] | 3.0 | NBC |
| August 15-August 21 | NFL Preseason Football: San Diego Chargers at Dallas Cowboys[173] | 3.7 | NBC |
| August 22-August 28 | America's Got Talent 8/23[174] | 3.3 | NBC |