These are the late night schedules on all four networks beginning September 1986. All times are Eastern/Pacific.
PBS is not included, as member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary, CBS, ABC and Fox are not included on the weekend schedules (as the networks do not offer late night programs of any kind on weekends).
Talk/variety shows are highlighted in yellow, network news programs in gold, and local news & programs are highlighted in white background.
Monday-Friday edit
- | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ABC | Fall | local programming | ABC News Nightline | The Dick Cavett Show (Tue.-Wed.)/Jimmy Breslin's People (Thur.-Fri.) | Local or sign off | ||||||||||
Winter | Local or sign off | ||||||||||||||
June | Monday Sportsnite (Mon.) | Local or sign off | |||||||||||||
CBS | Fall | local programming | CBS Late Night | local programming or sign off | CBS News Nightwatch | ||||||||||
Winter | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Keep on Cruisin' (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | ||||||||||||||
Summer | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/In Person from the Palace (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | ||||||||||||||
NBC | Fall | local programming | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Late Night with David Letterman (Mon.-Thur.)/Friday Night Videos to 2:00 (Fri) | local programming or sign off | ||||||||||
Summer | Late Night with David Letterman | Friday Night Videos (Fri.) | local programming or sign off | ||||||||||||
Fox (launched October 9, 1986) | Fall | The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers | local programming or sign off | ||||||||||||
May | The Late Show |
Saturday edit
- | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NBC | local programming | Saturday Night Live | local programming or sign off |
Sunday edit
- | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NBC | local programming | The George Michael Sports Machine | local programming or sign off |
By network edit
ABC edit
Returning Series |
New Series |
Not Returning From 1985-86
|
CBS edit
Returning Series |
New Series
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Fox edit
New Series
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