1986–87 United States network television schedule

US primetime network television schedule for the fall of 1986 March 2025 1986 The 1986–87 network television schedule for the three major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 1986 through August 1987. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1985–86 season. Although Fox debuted as a fourth network effort in October 1986, the network waited until April 1987 to commence offering prime time programming, effectively deferring its first Fall programming season until September 1987. PBS is not included, as member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedule and broadcast times for network shows vary. Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported in: Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine. 978-0-345-49773-4. Legend #abbfff darkgray Light blue indicates local programming. #C0C0C0 darkgray Gray indicates encore programming. #6699CC darkgray Blue-gray indicates news programming. lightgreen darkgray Light green indicates sporting events. #FA8072 darkgray Red indicates series being burned off and other irregularly scheduled programs, including specials and movies. #FFE082 darkgray Light gold indicates programming produced outside of the United States. light white darkgray highlight lime Lime highlights indicates the number-one most watched program of the season. light white darkgray highlight yellow Yellow highlights indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season. light white darkgray highlight cyan Cyan highlights indicates numbers 11-20 most watched programs of the season. light white darkgray highlight magenta Magenta highlights indicates numbers 21-30 most watched programs of the season. light white darkgray highlight black Highlights indicates that it falls in multiple of the above categories. Schedule New series are highlighted in bold. All times are U.S. Eastern Time and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska and Hawaii–Aleutian times. Sunday Network7:00 p.m.7:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABCThe Disney Sunday MovieThe ABC Sunday Night MovieCBS Fall60 Minutes (6/23.3) #FFFF00Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4)CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6)(Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) #00FFFF Winter Designing Women Nothing is EasyHard Copy SpringCBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6)(Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) #00FFFF SummerFox April21 Jump StreetMarried... with Children The Tracey Ullman ShowMr. PresidentDuetLocal programming SummerDuet (R)NBC FallOur House Easy StreetValerieNBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) #00FFFF Winter SpringRags to Riches SummerThe A-Team (R)Our House Mid-summerOur House Rags to Riches Late summerFamily Ties (R)Family Ties (R) Note: The "opening night" of the Fox network on April 5, 1987 featured the premieres of Married... with Children and The Tracey Ullman Show at 7:00 and 7:30 p.m. respectively, both shows being repeated twice. 21 Jump Street debuted on April 12 with two episodes airing back-to-back. Duet aired its first two episodes on April 19. Down and Out in Beverly Hills premiered on April 26, but was put on hiatus and eventually aired during the summer. Its slot was taken over by Mr. President, which premiered on May 3. Fox Night at the Movies aired on an irregular basis at 8 p.m. during the summer. Family Ties consisted of assorted repeats of previous seasons, with current reruns airing on the show's regular 8:30 p.m. Thursday night slot. Monday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallMacGyverMonday Night Football (18/18.4) #00FFFF WinterThe ABC Monday Night Movie SpringMonday Night Baseball SummerCBS FallKate & Allie (19/18.3)My Sister Sam (22/17.4)(Tied with L.A. Law)Newhart (12/19.5) Designing WomenCagney & Lacey Winter The Cavanaughs SpringDesigning Women Summer Various programmingVarious repeats/specials Various repeats and specialsNBC FallALF (28/16.5)(Tied with Hunter)Amazing StoriesNBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6)(Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) #00FFFF Winter SpringValerie Summer Tuesday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWho's the Boss? (10/22.0)Growing Pains (8/22.7)Moonlighting (9/22.4)Jack and Mike Winter SpringMax Headroom SummerSpenser: For Hire (R)CBS FallThe WizardCBS Tuesday Night Movie WinterSpies SpringWest 57th SummerThe Wizard Mid-summer Simon & Simon (R)Houston Knights (R)Night HeatCBS late night Canadian-produced series, usually aired on CBS' late night crime series blockNBC FallMatlock (15/18.6)(Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie)Crime Story1986 Mid-fallHill Street Blues WinterRemington Steele SpringGimme a Break! Easy StreetHill Street Blues Mid-spring The Tortellis SummerNBC Tuesday Night at the Movies Note: Jack and Mike premiered with a 90-minute pilot on September 16 at 9 p.m. Wednesday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallPerfect StrangersHead of the Class (30/16.4)Dynasty (25/17.2)(Tied with Highway to Heaven)Hotel Winter Spring Harry Mid-springHead of the Class (30/16.4)Mariah SummerMacGyver (R)HotelCBS Fall Together We Stand Better DaysMagnum, P.I.The Equalizer Late fallThe New Mike Hammer Winter SpringHouston Knights Mid-spring Roxie Take Five Late springThe New Mike Hammer Mid-summerThe EqualizerNBC FallHighway to Heaven (24/17.2)(Tied with Dynasty)Gimme a Break! You Again?St. Elsewhere WinterThe Tortellis SpringNight Court (7/23.2)The Bronx Zoo Mid-spring Easy Street SummerThe Facts of Life (R)Night Court (7/23.2)St. Elsewhere Mid-summerNight Court (7/23.2)Various programmingSitcom repeats/specials Sitcom repeats and specials Late summerThe Bronx Zoo Note: On CBS, Roxie and Take Five premiered on April 1, 1987 at 8 and 8:30 p.m. respectively, but were both cancelled after only two episodes. Thursday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallOur WorldThe Colbys20/20 Winter SpringJack and Mike SummerHeart of the City (R) Mid-summerStarman (R)Our World Late summerSledge Hammer! (R)The Charmings (R)CBS FallSimon & SimonKnots Landing (26/16.8)(Tied with Miami Vice)Kay O'Brien Mid-fall The Twilight ZoneSimon & Simon Designing WomenKnots Landing (26/16.8)(Tied with Miami Vice) WinterShell GameSimon & Simon Mid-winterThe Wizard Spring SummerScarecrow and Mrs. King (R) Mid-summerCBS Thursday Night MovieNBC FallThe Cosby Show (1/34.9)Family Ties (2/32.7)Cheers (3/27.2)Night Court (7/23.2)Hill Street Blues Mid-fallL.A. Law (21/17.4)(Tied with My Sister Sam) Winter Spring Nothing in Common Summer The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd Late summerNight Court (7/23.2) Note: Crime Story premiered with a two-hour pilot on September 18 at 9 p.m. Friday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC FallWebsterMr. Belvedere Sidekicks Sledge Hammer!Starman Late fall Dads Gung Ho Winter Gung Ho Dads Mid-winterThe ABC Friday Night Movie Late winterThe CharmingsWebster Spring Summer Sledge Hammer!Mr. Belvedere Mid-summer Webster Late summerMax Headroom (R)Starman (R)CBS FallScarecrow and Mrs. KingDallas (11/21.3)Falcon Crest (23/17.3) Winter Spring Nothing Is EasyNothing Is Easy Formerly Together We Stand The Popcorn Kid SummerCBS Summer PlayhouseHard Copy Mid-summerAdderlyCBS late night Canadian-produced series, usually aired on CBS' late night crime series blockNBC FallThe A-TeamMiami Vice (27/16.8)(Tied with Knots Landing)L.A. Law (21/17.9)(Tied with My Sister Sam) Mid-fallCrime Story Winter Stingray Spring Roomies Amazing StoriesStingray SummerStingrayCrime Story Late summerRags to Riches (R) Saturday Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.ABC Fall Life with Lucy The Ellen Burstyn ShowHeart of the CitySpenser: For Hire Late fallSidekicksSledge Hammer! WinterOhara SpringStarman SummerWebster (R)SidekicksGung Ho (R)Dads (R)Starman Mid-summerThe ABC Saturday Night Movie Late summer Animal Crack-UpsThe Ellen Burstyn ShowThe ABC Saturday Night MovieCBS FallDowntownThe New Mike HammerMike Hammer The New Mike Hammer was a continuation of Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer, which had abruptly ceased production in 1984 because of Stacy Keach's legal problems.The Twilight Zone Mid-fallThe Wizard Late fallDowntown WinterOutlawsThe CBS Saturday Night Movie SpringThe CBS Saturday Night MovieWest 57th SummerFox(beginsJuly 11, 1987) Mid-summer Down and Out in Beverly HillsThe New Adventures of Beans Baxter WerewolfKaren's SongLocal programming Late summer Werewolf Down and Out in Beverly HillsNBC FallThe Facts of Life227 (14/18.9)The Golden Girls (5/24.5)Amen (13/19.4)Hunter (28/16.5)(Tied with ALF) Winter Spring Sweet Surrender Me & Mrs. C Late spring227 (14/18.9) Summer227 (14/18.9) Me & Mrs. CAmen (13/19.4) Mid-summer The Facts of Life227 (14/18.9) Notes: The Fox network added its Saturday night line-up on July 11, 1987 with the two-hour premiere of Werewolf. The New Adventures of Beans Baxter and Karen's Song premiered on July 18 (the former with an hour-long episode), and Down and Out in Beverly Hills joined the line-up on July 25. Animal Crack-Ups was a "summer preview" of the Saturday morning series. By network ABC Returning Series 20/20 The ABC Friday Night Movie The ABC Monday Night Movie The ABC Saturday Night Movie The ABC Sunday Night Movie The Colbys The Disney Sunday Movie Dynasty Growing Pains Hotel MacGyver Mr. Belvedere Monday Night Baseball Monday Night Football Moonlighting Perfect Strangers Spenser: For Hire Webster Who's the Boss? New Series The ABC Saturday Night Movie Animal Crack-Ups * + The Charmings * Dads * The Ellen Burstyn Show Gung Ho * Harry * Head of the Class Heart of the City Jack and Mike Life with Lucy Mariah Max Headroom * Ohara * Our World Sidekicks Sledge Hammer! Starman Not returning from 1985–86: The ABC Thursday Night Movie Benson Diff'rent Strokes The Fall Guy Hardcastle and McCormick Hollywood Beat The Insiders Lady Blue Life's Most Embarrassing Moments Lime Street The Love Boat Our Family Honor The Redd Foxx Show Ripley's Believe It or Not! Shadow Chasers + Animal Crack-Ups had a short run in prime time before moving to Saturday mornings in the fall of 1987. CBS Returning Series 60 Minutes Cagney & Lacey CBS Sunday Movie Dallas The Equalizer Falcon Crest Kate & Allie Knots Landing Magnum, P.I. The New Mike Hammer + Murder, She Wrote Newhart Scarecrow and Mrs. King Simon & Simon The Twilight Zone West 57th * New Series Better Days The Cavanaughs * CBS Summer Playhouse * Designing Women Downtown Hard Copy * Houston Knights * Kay O'Brien My Sister Sam Outlaws * The Popcorn Kid * Roxie * Shell Game * Spies * Take Five * Together We Stand/Nothing Is Easy The Wizard Not returning from 1985–86: Airwolf Bridges to Cross Charlie & Co. Crazy Like a Fox Fast Times Foley Square George Burns Comedy Week Hometown Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills Mary Melba Morningstar/Eveningstar Stir Crazy Tough Cookies Trapper John, M.D. + This was a revival of the 1984–1985 series following star Stacy Keach's release from prison on drug charges. Fox New Series 21 Jump Street Down and Out in Beverly Hills Duet Fox Night at the Movies Karen's Song Married... with Children Mr. President The New Adventures of Beans Baxter The Tracey Ullman Show Werewolf NBC Returning Series 1986 227 The A-Team Amazing Stories Cheers The Cosby Show The Facts of Life Family Ties Gimme a Break! The Golden Girls Highway to Heaven Hill Street Blues Hunter Me & Mrs. C * Miami Vice NBC Sunday Night Movie NBC Monday Night at the Movies Night Court Remington Steele * St. Elsewhere Stingray * Valerie You Again? New Series ALF Amen The Bronx Zoo * Crime Story The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd * Easy Street L.A. Law Matlock Nothing in Common * Our House Rags to Riches * Roomies * Sweet Surrender * The Tortellis * Not returning from 1985–86: Alfred Hitchcock Presents (Moved to USA Network) All Is Forgiven Blacke's Magic Fathers and Sons Hell Town Knight Rider The Last Precinct Misfits of Science Punky Brewster ^ Riptide Silver Spoons ^ TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason. An ^ indicates a show that continued in first-run syndication after the network cancelled it. See also 1986–87 United States network television schedule (daytime) 1986–87 United States network television schedule (late night) Notes References Category:United States primetime network television schedules Category:1986 in American television Category:1987 in American television