ABC Entertainment is responsible for all network primetime and late-night entertainment programming, including scripted dramas and comedies, alternative series, specials, movies, and mini-series.

As in the previous year, ABC once again found critical acclaim and strong audience support for its new programming in the 2005-06 season. Commander In Chief, starring Geena Davis as the first woman president of the United States, was the most watched new show of the fall season. This hit, along with new series Invasion and Freddie, joined the network's growing primetime portfolio of successful programming, including Desperate Housewives, Lost, Grey's Anatomy, Boston Legal, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Alias, According to Jim, George Lopez and Hope & Faith.

Fueled by this success, ABC celebrated its highest-rated start to a season in five years, building on the network's previous season performance in which ABC achieved the highest year-to-year increase of any major network in 25 years. During the most recent Sweep period, in November 2005, ABC ranked number one (tied with CBS) among Adults 18-49 and delivered the biggest increase among all broadcast networks in this key sales demographic. The network also claimed five of the top six programs among Adults 18-49, including the number one show among Adults 18-49 – Desperate Housewives.

In addition to ratings gains, ABC also received acclaim with 16 wins at the 57th Annual Primetime Emmy^® Awards, more than any other broadcast network. Desperate Housewives earned six awards, including "Lead Actress in a Comedy Series" for Felicity Huffman, and Lost took another six Emmys, including "Outstanding Drama Series." William Shatner and James Spader repeated their wins of the previous year with Emmy Awards for "Outstanding Supporting Actor" and "Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series," respectively, and Extreme Makeover: Home Edition earned top honors for "Outstanding Reality Series."

In October 2005 ABC leveraged its Lost and Desperate Housewives properties to become the first television provider (along with Disney Channel) to supply content for sale on Apple's online iTunes Music Store. Approximately half of the more than one million videos iTunes sold during the first three weeks of availability were episodes of Disney-ABC series.