<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> Next → Season 2 </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> List of The O.C. episodes </Td> </Tr> <P> The first season of The O.C. commenced airing in the United States on August 5, 2003, concluded on May 5, 2004, and consisted of 27 episodes . It tells the story of "the Cohen and Cooper families, and Ryan (Atwood), a troubled teen from the wrong side of the tracks" who is thrust into the wealthy, harbor - front community of Newport Beach, Orange County, California and "will forever change the lives of the residents". </P> <P> The first seven episodes of The O.C. aired in the US on Tuesdays at 9: 00 p.m. on FOX, a terrestrial television network . Following a seven - week mid-season hiatus, the remainder of the season aired on Wednesdays at 9: 00 pm . The season was released on DVD as a seven disc boxed set under the title of The O.C.: The Complete First Season on September 26, 2004 by Warner Bros. Home Video . On June 17, 2008 the season became available to purchase for registered users of the US iTunes Store . </P>

How many episodes in season 1 of the oc