2011 in American television


This is a list of significant events involving American television in 2011. Events listed include television show debuts, finales, cancellations, and channel launches, closures and re-branding, as well as information about controversies and carriage disputes.

Events

January

DateEvent
1Discovery Health Channel leaves the air and becomes Oprah Winfrey Network, with the former Discovery Health programming split between OWN and FitTV.
1Antenna TV, a digital sub-channel network owned by Tribune Broadcasting, makes its debut. The network, whose programming is dedicated to classic television series and films, launches mainly on stations owned-or-operated by Tribune and Local TV LLC.
1PBS member station KCET/Los Angeles becomes an independent public/educational station. KOCE-TV/Huntington Beach, a secondary PBS affiliate serving nearby Orange County, replaces KCET as the LA market's primary PBS member station, rebranding as PBS SoCal.
1Dish Network and Frontier Radio Management fail to reach a new carriage agreement, leaving Macon customers without both ABC and Fox, where both networks come from WGXA.
1DirecTV removes the stations of Northwest Broadcasting due to a carriage dispute. The sides reach a temporary deal on February 1, in time for Super Bowl XLV.
1Comedy Central retires the skyscraper-and-globe-themed logo, which it used in one form or another since its 1991 debut, and adopts a new logo mark featuring two "C"'s, with one of them and the word "Central" turned upside-down.
3The Second Circuit Court of Appeals throws out a fine the FCC levied against ABC for a 2003 episode of NYPD Blue in which Charlotte Ross' character was viewed with a bare back.
3ESPN fires play-by-play announcer Ron Franklin for making derogatory remarks to colleague Jeannine Edwards during prep work for a December 31, 2010 telecast of the Chick-fil-A Bowl. Prior to the firing, Franklin was pulled from ESPN Radio's January 1 coverage of the Fiesta Bowl over the incident.
7History announces that its first scripted miniseries, The Kennedys, will not air on the network, with a spokesperson stating, "This dramatic interpretation is not a fit for the History brand." The content of the 8-part multimillion-dollar project had been the source of controversy; various sources claimed inaccuracies in the script, while the miniseries' director and production company countered that History officials gave approval on the final draft script and final cuts before dropping their broadcast plans. The producers would then begin shopping the production around to other networks, and on February 1 reached a deal with ReelzChannel, which would air the miniseries in April.
7Both Joan and Melissa Rivers announce that they will no longer do red carpet specials.
15After a lengthy dispute and two deadline extensions, Sinclair Broadcast Group and Time Warner Cable reach an agreement in principle to keep 28 Sinclair-owned-or-operated stations in 17 markets on Time Warner cable TV systems. A more formal agreement would be announced on February 2, which includes plans for TWC to produce newscasts for Sinclair's ABC affiliate in the Greensboro market, WXLV-TV, beginning in 2012.
17Citing lack of air time, Marissa Jaret Winokur announces she will leave CBS' daytime series The Talk.
17Piers Morgan Tonight, the replacement for the long-running Larry King Live, debuts on CNN, with Oprah Winfrey as Morgan's first guest.
18Turner Broadcasting System announces it will turn over day-to-day control of its Atlanta station WPCH-TV to Meredith Corporation, who will operate the station through its CBS affiliate WGCL-TV. Additionally, production for Atlanta Braves broadcasts on WPCH will be handled by cable rights-holders Fox Sports South and SportSouth, making 2011 the first Braves season since 1972 in which Turner Sports will not produce local Braves telecasts.
18After a lengthy review process, the FCC and Department of Justice approve Comcast's purchase of a controlling share of NBC Universal. The deal officially closes before midnight on January 28, with Comcast owning 51% of NBCU and General Electric 49%. GE completed a purchase of Vivendi's 12.3% share of NBCU on January 26.
20Houston PBS outlet KUHT announces that they will merge their operations with its FM sister station to become Houston Public Media.
20The American version of Skins premieres on MTV. The series' controversial content prompts the Parents Television Council to ask the show's producers be charged with child pornography and exploitation, alleging a violation of 18 USC 1466A. The controversy also leads major advertisers to pull their advertising from the program, among them Taco Bell, Wrigley Company, General Motors, Subway, H&R Block and Schick. MTV would cancel the show in June after one season.
21Countdown with Keith Olbermann airs for the final time on MSNBC after its titular host abruptly departs the network.
25U.S. President Barack Obama delivers his second State of the Union Address, which is followed by not one but two opposition responses: the official Republican Party rebuttal from Congressman Paul Ryan and a Tea Party response by Congresswoman Michele Bachmann. CNN is the only major network to carry Bachmann's response live, during which she does not speak directly to the TV camera.
28CBS announced that Two and a Half Men would go on a production hiatus after series star Charlie Sheen is admitted into a rehabilitation center, one day after his hospitalization for a hernia condition.

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

Programs

Debuts

The following is a list of shows that premiered in 2011.
DateShowNetworkSource
January 1Dan Vs.The Hub
January 1House of AnubisNickelodeon
January 1Off the AirAdult Swim
January 3Wild KrattsPBS Kids Go
January 9Bob's BurgersFox
January 9Downton AbbeyPBS
January 9The CapeNBC
January 9Infested!Animal Planet
January 9EpisodesShowtime
January 9ShamelessShowtime
January 11Lights OutFX
January 11Onion SportsDomeComedy Central
January 12Off The MapABC
January 13Beyond Scared StraightA&E
January 17Being HumanSyfy
January 17Harry's LawNBC
January 17Piers Morgan LiveCNN
January 17SkinsMTV
January 19Retired at 35TV Land
January 20Fairly LegalUSA Network
January 21'PBS
January 21Onion News NetworkIFC
January 21PortlandiaIFC
January 21'Starz
January 23Kourtney and Kim Take New YorkE!
January 24Bubble GuppiesNickelodeon
January 25Kitchen BossTLC
January 26Face OffSyfy
January 28Working ClassCMT
February 1Must Love CatsAnimal Planet
February 1One Born Every MinuteLifetime
February 1Seriously Funny KidsLifetime
February 7Power Rangers SamuraiNickelodeon
February 7The Chicago CodeFox
February 8Traffic LightFox
February 9Glamour BellesLifetime
February 9Quad SquadLifetime
February 9Mr. SunshineABC
February 11Bar KarmaCurrent TV
February 12Pokémon Black and WhiteCartoon Network
February 14Babar and the Adventures of BadouDisney Junior
February 14Tinga Tinga TalesDisney Junior
February 14Jake and the Never Land PiratesDisney Junior
February 14Mad LoveCBS
February 16'CBS
February 28In the ArenaCNN
February 28Martin BashirMSNBC
February 28Robocar PoliEBS-
March 1Mr. YoungNickelodeon
March 6Breakout KingsA&E
March 6Coming HomeLifetime
March 6Taking on TysonAnimal Planet
March 7All About AubreyOxygen
March 22Brian the Fortune SellerTruTV
March 29All on the LineSundance Channel
March 29Body of ProofABC
April 1CamelotStarz
April 1CHAOSCBS
April 3The BorgiasShowtime
April 3The KennedysReelzChannel
April 3The KillingAMC
April 4Dr. Drew On CallHLN
April 4Intentional TalkMLB Network
April 4The Problem SolverzCartoon Network
April 5Pregnant in HeelsBravo
April 6Breaking InFox
April 6'Oxygen
April 6WorkaholicsComedy Central
April 7GigolosShowtime
April 8CMT's Next SuperstarCMT
April 10The Dance SceneE!
April 10Khloé & LamarE!
April 10Supah NinjasNickelodeon
April 11Drew Carey's Improv-A-GanzaGSN
April 12Police POVTruTV
April 12Sinbad's Family AffairWE tv
April 13Happy EndingsABC
April 14The Paul Reiser ShowNBC
April 17Game of ThronesHBO
April 26Repo GamesSpike TV
April 26The VoiceNBC
May 3The Looney Tunes ShowCartoon Network
May 3The Amazing World of GumballCartoon Network
May 6A.N.T. FarmDisney Channel
May 7Pretty HurtsLogo
May 8Why Not? with Shania TwainOWN: The Oprah Winfrey Network
May 10Swamp BrothersDiscovery Channel
May 264th and ForeverCurrent TV
May 30Extreme Weight LossABC
May 30Platinum HitBravo
May 31Million Dollar DecoratorsBravo
May 31Love HandlesLifetime
June 1Franklin & BashTNT
June 1Haunted CollectorSyfy
June 1Twist of FateThe Weather Channel
June 1The World According to ParisOxygen
June 2Love BitesNBC
June 5So Random!Disney Channel
June 5Teen WolfMTV
June 6Switched at BirthABC Family
June 12Ice Loves CocoE!
June 12The ProtectorLifetime
June 13Almost Naked AnimalsCartoon Network
June 13SidekickCartoon Network
June 13The Glee ProjectOxygen
June 13Kickin' ItDisney XD
June 14The Nine Lives of Chloe KingABC Family
June 14Proving GroundG4
June 15Happily DivorcedTV Land
June 15Rocco's Dinner PartyBravo
June 16Voltron ForceNicktoons
June 19Falling SkiesTNT
June 22Life on a WireDiscovery Channel
June 23Expedition ImpossibleABC
June 23SuitsUSA Network
June 23WilfredFX
June 27My Babysitter's a VampireDisney Channel
June 27Winx ClubNickelodeon
June 29Love in the WildNBC
June 29Necessary RoughnessUSA Network
June 29State of GeorgiaABC Family
July 1Bucket & Skinner's Epic AdventuresNickelodeon
July 8'TLC
July 11The FiveFox News Channel
July 11AlphasSyfy
July 13Legend QuestSyfy
July 13Dance MomsLifetime
July 13Roseanne's NutsLifetime
July 13The FranchiseShowtime
July 14Sweet Home AlabamaCMT
July 14Texas WomenCMT
July 15PrankStarsDisney Channel
July 17Bar RescueSpike TV
July 17Big Rich TexasStyle Network
July 19AwkwardMTV
July 19It's Worth What?NBC
July 19Ludo Bites AmericaSundance Channel
July 19Web TherapyShowtime
July 22Heat SeekersFood Network
July 31Against the WallLifetime
August 1Secret Mountain Fort AwesomeCartoon Network
August 2Take the Money and RunABC
August 5Friends with BenefitsNBC
August 7CuriosityDiscovery Channel
August 12'Cinemax
August 15The Lying GameABC Family
August 28PoliticsNation with Al SharptonMSNBC
August 29CarfellasDiscovery Channel
September 3Litton's Weekend AdventureABC
September 7Paranormal WitnessSyfy
September 12Anderson LiveSyndication
September 12Dish NationSyndication
September 12ExcusedSyndication
September 12Right This MinuteSyndication
September 12We the People with Gloria AllredSyndication
September 13RingerThe CW
September 14H8RThe CW
September 14Free AgentsNBC
September 14Up All NightNBC
September 14'A&E
September 15The Secret CircleThe CW
September 17Killer InstinctCloo
September 19The Bill Cunningham ShowSyndication
September 19The Jeremy Kyle ShowSyndication
September 19'Nickelodeon
September 19LifechangersThe CW
September 19The Playboy ClubNBC
September 192 Broke GirlsCBS
September 20UnforgettableCBS
September 20New GirlFox
September 21The X FactorFox
September 21RevengeABC
September 22Charlie's AngelsABC
September 22WhitneyNBC
September 22Prime SuspectNBC
September 22Person of InterestCBS
September 23A Gifted ManCBS
September 24On the SpotSyndication
September 25Dirty SoapE!
September 25Pan AmABC
September 26The ChewABC
September 26Emeril's TableHallmark Channel
September 26Hart of DixieThe CW
September 26Last Shot with Judge GunnSyndicated
September 26Terra NovaFox
September 28SuburgatoryABC
September 29How to Be a GentlemanCBS
September 30JessieDisney Channel
September 30Search for the Worst DressedStyle Network
October 2Around the World in 80 WaysHistory
October 2China, ILAdult Swim
October 2HomelandShowtime
October 3Erin Burnett OutFrontCNN
October 5American Horror StoryFX
October 5Penn & Teller Tell a LieDiscovery Channel
October 6Gabriel Iglesias Presents Stand Up RevolutionComedy Central
October 10'Logo
October 10American GunsDiscovery Channel
October 10EnlightenedHBO
October 10Oprah's LifeclassOWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
October 10The Rosie ShowOWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
October 11Last Man StandingABC
October 11Reed Between the LinesBET
October 15Welcome to Sweetie Pie'sOWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
October 16Talking DeadAMC
October 18Man Up!ABC
October 19American HoggersA&E
October 21BossStarz
October 21My Extreme Animal PhobiaAnimal Planet
October 23Glam FairyStyle Network
October 23Once Upon a TimeABC
October 24Monster In-LawsA&E
October 25Flip MenSpike TV
October 27Good VibesMTV
October 28GrimmNBC
October 30Allen GregoryFox
October 31Rock Center with Brian WilliamsNBC
November 4Bad SexLogo
November 6Hell on WheelsAMC
November 9Coast Guard AlaskaThe Weather Channel
November 11'Cartoon Network
November 17Big Shrimpin'History
November 21You Deserve ItABC
November 25Tyler Perry's For Better or WorseTBS
November 30The ExesTV Land
November 30I Hate My Teenage DaughterFox
December 1Weed WarsDiscovery Channel
December 2Austin & AllyDisney Channel
December 9Invention USAHistory
December 11LuckHBO
December 15Impractical JokersTruTV
December 19Who's Still Standing?NBC
December 20Best in the BusinessDiscovery Channel
December 29Three InchesSyfy

Entering syndication this year

Changes of network affiliation

ShowMoved fromMoved toSource
BBC World News AmericaBBC AmericaBBC World News
TorchwoodBBC AmericaStarz
Countdown with Keith OlbermannMSNBCCurrent TV
DamagesFXAudience Network
Dangerous Encounters with Brady BarrNat GeoNat Geo Wild
Deliver MeDiscovery HealthOWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
Mystery DiagnosisDiscovery HealthOWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
911: The BronxDiscovery HealthDiscovery Fit & Health
'Discovery HealthDiscovery Fit & Health
I'm Pregnant and...Discovery HealthDiscovery Fit & Health
Untold Stories of the ERDiscovery HealthDiscovery Fit & Health
FlashpointCBSION Network
American Dad!FoxTBS
Bay City BluesNBCESPN Classic
SouthlandNBCTNT
The GameThe CWBET
Lou Dobbs TonightCNNFox Business Network
Power RangersABC KidsNickelodeon
Miss AmericaTLCABC
Billboard Music AwardsFoxABC
Secret MillionaireFoxABC
America's Most WantedFoxLifetime
WWE Tough EnoughUPNUSA Network
ThunderCatsUSA NetworkCartoon Network
Back at the BarnyardNickelodeonNicktoons
'NickelodeonNicktoons
120 MinutesMTVMTV2
LazyTownNick Jr.Sprout
64 Zoo LaneNick Jr.Sprout

Returning this year

The following shows returned with new episodes after being canceled previously:
ShowLast airedPrevious networkNew titleNew networkReturningSource
God, the Devil and Bob2000NBCSameAdult SwimJanuary 8
The Game2009The CWSameBETJanuary 11
Lou Dobbs Tonight2009CNNSameFox Business NetworkMarch 14
WWE Tough Enough2004UPNSameUSA NetworkApril 4
Loonatics Unleashed2007Kids WBThe Looney Tunes ShowCartoon NetworkMay 3
Billboard Music Award2006FoxSameABCMay 22
Lingo2007GSNSameSameJune 6
Chaotic2010Cartoon NetworkSameSameJune 14
ThunderCats1989USA NetworkSameCartoon NetworkJuly 29
120 Minutes2003MTVSameMTV2July 30
Pop-Up Video2002VH1SameSameOctober 3
Beavis and Butt-head1997MTVSameSameOctober 27
Fear Factor2006NBCSameSameDecember 12
Bay City Blues1983NBCSameESPN ClassicDecember 12

Milestone episodes

ShowNetworkEpisode #Episode titleEpisode air dateSource
SupernannyABC100th"The George Family"January 7
Brothers & SistersABC100th"Safe At Home"January 16
The Tonight Show with Jay LenoNBC4,000thSimon Cowell, Jeff Gordon & Travis BarkerMarch 2
Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D'sThe CW100th"The Edge of Elimination, Part 1"April 9
Wizards of Waverly PlaceDisney Channel100th"Wizards of Apartment 13B"October 7N/A

Ending this year

Dates subject to change.
DateShowDebutStatusSource
January 2Sonny with a Chance2009Ended
January 4Caprica2010Canceled
January 9Sarah Palin's Alaska2010Canceled
January 13Pictureka!2010Canceled
January 16Hannah Montana2006Canceled
January 17WordWorld2007Canceled
January 18Glory Daze2010Canceled
January 18Life Unexpected2010Canceled
January 21Medium2005Canceled
January 22Ghost Lab2009Canceled
January 23Carl²2005Canceled
January 24Robotomy2010Canceled
January 31Lie to Me2009Canceled
February 5'2007Canceled
February 9Human Target2010Canceled
February 9Friday Night Lights2006Ended
February 13Ooh, Aah & You2005Ended
February 13Playhouse Disney1997Ended
February 17$h*! My Dad Says2010Canceled
March 1Bo on the Go!2007Ended
March 7Greek2007Ended
March 8PitchMen2009Ended
March 11The Cape2011Canceled
March 11The Defenders2010Canceled
March 15V2009Canceled
March 18Supernanny 2005Ended
March 20Big Love2006Ended
March 20Detroit 1-8-72010Canceled
March 21Skins2011Canceled
March 24Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader? 2007Canceled
March 25Comedy Central Presents1998Ended
March 26Olivia2009Canceled
March 26God, the Devil and Bob2000Ended
April 1Working Class2011Canceled
April 5Lights Out2011Canceled
April 5No Ordinary Family2010Canceled
April 6Off the Map2011Canceled
April 6Mr. Sunshine2011Canceled
April 7Perfect Couples2011Canceled
April 8The Electric Company2009Canceled
April 9Sym-Bionic Titan2010Canceled
April 21The Paul Reiser Show2011Canceled
April 22Gigantic2010Canceled
May 1America's Next Great Restaurant2011Canceled
May 3My Life as Liz2010Canceled
May 6The Suite Life on Deck2008Ended
May 8Brothers & Sisters2006Canceled
May 9Stargate Universe2009Canceled
May 11Better with You2010Canceled
May 12Outsourced2010Canceled
May 13Smallville2001Ended
May 13Silent Library2008Canceled
May 16Mad Love2011Canceled
May 17Hellcats2010Canceled
May 19I'm Alive2009Canceled
May 21Chase2010Canceled
May 21Running Wilde2010Canceled
May 23The Event2010Canceled
May 23The Chicago Code2011Canceled
May 25'2011Canceled
May 25The Oprah Winfrey Show1986Ended
May 27Don't Forget the Lyrics!2007Canceled
May 28Unwrapped2001Canceled
May 30The Hard Times of RJ Berger2010Canceled
May 31The Nutshack2007Canceled
June 3Drew Carey's Improv-A-Ganza2011Canceled
June 4Kid vs. Kat2009Canceled
June 10Camelot2011Canceled
June 12The Mighty B!2008Ended
June 20United States of Tara2009Canceled
June 24Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution2010Canceled
June 26'2001Ended
June 30Glenn Beck2006Ended
July 6Men of a Certain Age2009Canceled
July 11'2010Canceled
July 15Jimmy Two-Shoes2009Canceled
July 16Hot Wheels Battle Force 52009Canceled
July 21Love Bites2011Canceled
July 23'2010Canceled
August 1Lingo1987Canceled
August 4In the Arena2010Canceled
August 11Lopez Tonight2009Canceled
August 16Hawthorne2009Canceled
August 16The Mo'Nique Show2009Canceled
August 16Memphis Beat2010Canceled
August 16The Nine Lives of Chloe King2011Canceled
August 17State of Georgia2011Canceled
August 20True Jackson, VP2008Ended
August 27ABC Kids2002Ended
August 28The Marriage Ref2010Canceled
September 6Rescue Me2004Ended
September 6Proving Ground2011Canceled
September 7Minute to Win It2010Canceled
September 9Friends with Benefits2011Canceled
September 11Entourage2004Ended
September 11Yu-Gi-Oh! 5D's2008Canceled
September 12Kate Plus 82010Canceled
September 15LA Ink2007Canceled
September 16Go, Diego, Go!2005Ended
September 16Judge Jeanine Pirro2008Canceled
September 21Destroy Build Destroy2009Canceled
September 21Dude, What Would Happen2009Canceled
September 23All My Children 1970Canceled
September 23Poker After Dark2007Canceled
September 24Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood2010Ended
September 29The Problem Solverz2011Canceled
October 3The Playboy Club2011Canceled
October 5Free Agents2011Canceled
October 5H8R2011Canceled
October 14The Super Hero Squad Show2009Canceled
October 15How to Be a Gentleman2011Canceled
November 4Ni Hao, Kai-Lan2008Canceled
November 7Glenn Martin, DDS2009Canceled
November 10Charlie's Angels2011Canceled
November 12Back at the Barnyard2007Canceled
November 18'2008Canceled
November 18Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns2009Canceled
November 28The Sing-Off 2009Canceled
December 6Man Up2011Canceled
December 9I'm in the Band2009Canceled
December 15The Joy Behar Show2009Ended
December 18Allen Gregory2011Canceled
December 19Terra Nova2011Canceled
December 29Good Vibes2011Canceled
December 29Beavis and Butt-head1993Canceled
December 30American Morning2001Canceled

Made-for-TV movies and miniseries

Premiere dateTitleChannelRef.
March 12Best PlayerNickelodeon
March 25The Suite Life MovieDisney Channel
April 15Lemonade MouthDisney Channel
April 19Sharpay's Fabulous AdventureDisney Channel
July 9'Nickelodeon
August 5'Disney Channel
November 4Johnny Bravo Goes to BollywoodCartoon Network
November 11Geek CharmingDisney Channel
December 2Good Luck Charlie, It's Christmas!Disney Channel

Awards

Television stations

Stations changing network affiliation

The following is a list of television stations making noteworthy network affiliation changes during 2011.
DateMarketStationChannelPrior affiliationNew affiliationSource
January 1Los AngelesKCET-TV28.1PBSPublic independent
April 18Salinas/MontereyKSBW8.2independentABC
April 27Albany, GeorgiaWALB-DT210.2This TVABC
May 1Toccoa, GeorgiaWUGA-TV32.1independent PBS/GPB
July 1Evansville, IndianaWEVV-DT244.2MyNetworkTVFox ; MyNetworkTV
July 1Evansville, IndianaWTVW7.1Foxindependent
July 1OrlandoWMFE-TV24.1PBSV-me
August 1Buffalo, New YorkWBBZ-TV67.1This TV Me-TV
August 1Fort Wayne, IndianaWFFT-TV55.1Foxindependent
August 1Fort Wayne, IndianaWISE-DT233.2MyNetworkTVFox ; MyNetworkTV
September 1Springfield, MissouriKRBK49.1MyNetworkTVFox ; MyNetworkTV
September 1Springfield, MissouriKOZL-TV27.1Fox independent
September 1Terre Haute, IndianaWAWV38.1Fox ABC
September 1Terre Haute, IndianaWTHI-DT210.2TheCoolTVFox ; MyNetworkTV
September 1Boise, IdahoKNIN-TV9.1The CWFox
September 1Boise, IdahoKTRV-TV12.1Foxindependent
September 12Boise, IdahoKYUU-LP
KBOI-DT2
35
2.2
RTVThe CW
September 12Victoria, TexasKUNU-LP
KAVU-DT3
41
25.3
MyNetworkTVCBS
September 19Derry, New HampshireWBIN-TV50.1MyNetworkTVindependent
September 19Boston, MassachusettsWSBK-TV38.1independent stationMyNetworkTV
September 29Santa Rosa, CAKEMO-TV50.1MeTV Azteca America

Station launches

Station closures

Deaths

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December