Grey Anatomy Season 3

ENGLISH SUBTITLE
3 DVD
25 EPISODE

Season Three: 2006–2007

Main article: Grey's Anatomy (season 3)

Nielsen Ranking (2006–07 U.S. TV season; based on average total viewers per episode): #4 (21.3 million viewers)^[26]

On May 16, 2006, the morning following the close of the second season, ABC announced plans for a third season of Grey's Anatomy to anchor the network's Thursday evening programming,^[27] set to air at 9 p.m. ET. ABC first tested the series' potential for Thursday audiences on February 9, 2006, as it aired an encore of the Super Bowl XL-leadout episode titled "It's the End of the World." The following Thursday, February 16, 2006, the network repeated the second part of the story arc, "(As We Know It)." Both airings began at 9:30 p.m. ET, and thus positioned Grey's Anatomy against CBS' CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and Without a Trace, Fox Network's The OC, and NBC's long-running medical drama ER.

ABC announced on July 18, 2006, that the third season would premiere on September 21, 2006.

The series assumed its new Thursday slot on July 6, 2006, as part of a two-hour event featuring a repeat of the pilot episode, "A Hard Day's Night." The season focused on Izzie's struggle to let go of Denny, Meredith's choice between Finn and Derek, the ramifications of Burke's injury and the decision between the four attending surgeons as to the new Chief of Surgery and between the residents for Chief Resident. Throughout July and August, the series aired twice weekly: once in the new Thursday time period, and once in its previous Sunday time period. Grey's Anatomy performed strongly in the show's new timeslot in its season premiere. It was able to take the number 1 position from CSI: Crime Scene Investigation during the 9 p.m. hour, bringing in 25.14 million viewers throughout the hour and a strong 10.9 rating in the 18–49 demographic. In comparison, CSI's season premiere earned a competitive 22.04 million total viewership and a 7.5 rating in the 18–49 demographic.^[28]

The third season ended on May 17, 2007. As the season came to a close, Burke called off his wedding to Cristina at the church, Chief Webber stayed on as the Chief of Surgery, Callie was appointed Chief Resident, and George learned he failed the final intern exam. The character of Preston Burke was permanently written out of the show and Isaiah Washington made his final appearance in the season finale. The relationship between Derek and Meredith, as well as the triangle between Callie, George, and Izzie were left unresolved. Addison decides to start a new life in Los Angeles in the spin-off Private Practice.