2004
SEPTEMBER: ABC begins marketing the show with “Everyone Has a Little Dirty Laundry” dry cleaning bag promotion.
OCTOBER: Drawing an average audience of 21.6 million viewers and an 8.9 rating/21 share among adults 18-49, the series debut of “Housewives” attracted the largest audience for any ABC series debut in eight years and was its most watched drama debut in 11 years.
– After only three episodes, Desperate Housewives is picked up for a full season.
JANUARY 2005: “Housewives” becomes the best launch of a new drama series on Channel 4 in the U.K. in 10 years.
MARCH: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria and Nicolette Sheridan grace five different covers of Entertainment Weekly.
MAY: “Housewives” ends the season as No. 1 program on Sunday night in total viewers and adults 18-49, and was No. 1 new series of the season.
SEPTEMBER: Huffman wins the Emmy as lead actress in a comedy.
– Second-season premiere draws 28.4 million viewers (12.3 rating/26 share in adults 18-49). It’s the strongest fall season premiere in nine years for ABC.
2006
Related
Eva Longoria on Her 'Empire' Role, Directing and Possible 'Desperate Housewives' Reunion
Nicollette Sheridan's 'Desperate Housewives' Firing Case Gets New Life From Appeals Court
JANUARY: “Housewives” wins the Golden Globe for best comedy series.
FEBRUARY: “Housewives” wins SAG Award for best comedy ensemble.
2007
SEPTEMBER: Season-four premiere easily wins the 9 p.m. timeslot, drawing its top audience in nearly a year and defeating CBS’ “Cold Case” and NBC’s “Sunday Night Football” in total viewers and in the 18-49 demo.
2008
JANUARY: “Amas de Casa Desesperadas” premieres on Univision. This version was later sold to Mexico on TV Azteca.
MAY: For the fourth straight season, “Housewives” stands as Sunday’s No. 1 TV series in total viewers and adults 18-49.
SEPTEMBER: The fifth season premieres, transporting the ladies of Wisteria Lane five years into the future.
– Kathryn Joosten wins her second Emmy for outstanding guest actress.
NOVEMBER: ABC.com’s Wisteria Lane Virtual Tour earns 213,130 page views and 180,124 daily uniques.
