1985–86 United States network television schedule

US primetime television schedule for the fall of 1985 March 2025 1985 The 1985–86 network television schedule for the three major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 1985 through August 1986. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1984–85 season. PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary. Each of the 30 highest-rated shows released in May 1986 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. Most of the ratings come from AmericanRadioHistory.com's PDF archive.Broadcasting Magazine Broadcasting April 28, 1986 110 17 https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-04-28.pdf This was the first television season wherein the Nielsen people meter technology was used for the nationwide audience measurement system, largely replacing the diaries system in place from the 1950-1951 television season.de Moraes Lisa David Cook Wasn't the Only Winner on Wednesday, as 'Idol' Ratings Spike https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052203719_pf.html May 2, 2010 The Washington Post 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. Repeat airings or same-day rebroadcasts are indicated by (R). All times are U.S. Eastern 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.ABC FallRipley's Believe It or Not!MacGyverThe ABC Sunday Night Movie WinterThe Disney Sunday MovieCBS Fall60 Minutes (4/23.9) #FFFF00 Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3)Crazy Like a FoxTrapper John, M.D. WinterCBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5) #00FFFFNBC FallPunky BrewsterSilver SpoonsAmazing StoriesAlfred Hitchcock PresentsNBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) #FF66FF SpringSilver Spoons Fathers and Sons Late springPunky BrewsterVarious programmingNBC Sunday programming summer 1986 Between May and July 1986, NBC's Sunday night lineup between 8 and 11 p.m. consisted on NBC Sunday Night at the Movies with various repeats following at 10 or 10:30 p.m., or special programming during the entire three-hour block. AugustDalton's Code of VengeanceNBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5) #FF66FF 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 FallHardcastle and McCormickMonday Night Football (15/19.8) #00FFFF WinterABC Monday Night Movie JuneThe Insiders Mid-summerMonday Night BaseballCBSScarecrow and Mrs. King (28/17.4)Kate & Allie (14/20.0)Newhart (16/19.6)Cagney & LaceyNBC FallTV's Bloopers & Practical JokesNBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3)(Tied with Hotel) #FF66FF WinterYou Again? (19/19.2)Valerie (24/18.1)(Tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest) SpringValerie (24/18.1)(Tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest)You Again? (19/19.2) Late springAmazing Stories 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? (10/21.1)Growing Pains (17/19.5)(Tied with Knots Landing)Moonlighting (24/18.1)(Tied with Falcon Crest and Valerie)Our Family Honor Mid-fallSpenser: For Hire Spring Perfect Strangers Mid-springGrowing Pains (17/19.5)(Tied with Knots Landing) Summer Perfect Strangers Mid-summerGrowing Pains (17/19.5)(Tied with Knots Landing)CBS FallHometownCBS Tuesday Night Movie Mid-fallVarious programmingVarious repeats/specials Various repeats and specials Late fallStir Crazy Mid-winterVarious programmingVarious repeats/specialsTrapper John, M.D.Various programmingVarious repeats/specials Late winterTrapper John, M.D.CBS Tuesday Night Movie SpringMorningstar/Eveningstar Mary Foley SquareThe Equalizer Mid-springMickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (R) SummerSimon & Simon (R)Magnum, P.I. (R)NBC FallThe A-Team (30/16.9)RiptideRemington Steele Winter SpringHunterStingray Summer1986 Late summerNBC Tuesday Night at the Movies Notes: The premiere episode of Melba and a new episode of Charlie & Co. aired at 8 and 8:30 p.m. respectively on January 28, 1986 (the day of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster), but both shows were put on hiatus immediately afterwards. The former was burned off during the summer and the latter resumed airing in a different slot during the spring. Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer consisted on repeats of the 1983–84 series. 1986 aired as a "preview" series in advance of the 1986–87 season. 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 FallThe InsidersDynasty (7/21.8)(Tied with The Golden Girls)Hotel (22/18.3)(Tied with The NBC Monday Movie) WinterMacGyver SummerHardcastle and McCormick (R) Mid-summer Perfect Strangers (R) Mr. Sunshine (R)MacGyverCBS FallStir CrazyCharlie & Co.George Burns Comedy WeekThe Equalizer Mid-fallSpecial programming Late fallMaryFoley Square WinterCrazy Like a Fox Spring Fast Times Tough CookiesCBS Wednesday Night Movie Mid-springWest 57th Summer Foley Square Charlie & Co. Airwolf (R)West 57thNBC FallHighway to Heaven (13/20.1)Hell TownSt. Elsewhere WinterBlacke's Magic Summer Gimme a Break! (R) You Again? (R) 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 FallThe Fall GuyLady Blue20/20 Mid-fallABC Thursday Night Movie Late fallShadow ChasersThe Colbys WinterRipley's Believe It or Not!CBS FallMagnum, P.I.Simon & Simon (29/17.2)Knots Landing (17/19.5)(Tied with Growing Pains) Winter SpringSimon & Simon (29/17.2)Bridges to Cross SummerCrazy Like a Fox (R)Trapper John, M.D. (R) Mid-summerCBS Thursday Night Movie Late summerPrice is Right SpecialCrazy Like a Fox (R) Trapper John, M.D.NBC FallThe Cosby Show (1/33.7)Family Ties (2/30.0)Cheers (5/23.7)Night Court (11/20.9)Hill Street Blues Late winterAll Is Forgiven SpringNight Court (11/20.9) SummerAll Is Forgiven Mid-summerNight Court (11/20.9) 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. BelvedereDiff'rent StrokesBensonSpenser: For Hire Mid-fallOur Family Honor Winter He's the MayorThe Fall Guy Spring Mr. Sunshine Joe Bash Mid-springThe ABC Friday Night Movie Summer Mr. SunshineVarious programmingSitcom repeats/specials Sitcom repeats and specialsThe Love Boat (R) Late summerVarious programmingSitcom repeats/specials/movies Sitcom repeats, specials, airings of unsold pilots and moviesCBS FallThe Twilight ZoneDallas (6/21.9)Falcon Crest (24/18.1)(Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie) Winter Spring Charlie & Co. Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills SummerThe Twilight ZoneCBS Friday MovieNBC FallKnight RiderMisfits of ScienceMiami Vice (9/21.3) WinterMisfits of ScienceKnight Rider Late winterRiptide SpringThe Last Precinct Mid-springKnight Rider SummerMiami Vice (9/21.3)Stingray (R) Late summerThe A-Team (R)Riptide Note: Diff'rent Strokes aired a one-hour season premiere on September 27 at 9:00pm. 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 FallHollywood BeatLime StreetThe Love Boat Mid-fallThe Fall GuyLady Blue WinterThe Redd Foxx ShowBensonFortune Dane SpringThe Love Boat (R) Mid-springMr. Sunshine SummerDiff'rent Strokes (R)ABC Saturday Night MovieCBS FallAirwolfCBS Saturday Night Movie SpringCrazy Like a Fox Mid-springAirwolfMagnum, P.I. Summer Various programmingCBS Saturday schedule summer 1986 CBS' Saturday night line-up between May and July 1986 consisted mostly on three-hour broadcasts of the CBS Saturday Night Movie, although some weeks featured various repeats and specials on the 8–8:30 or 8–9 p.m. period. AugustMelbaCBS Saturday Night MovieNBC FallGimme a Break!The Facts of Life (27/17.7)The Golden Girls (7/21.8)(Tied with Dynasty)227 (20/18.8) Hunter SpringAll Is ForgivenRemington Steele Mid-spring227 (20/18.8) SummerThe Facts of Life (27/17.7)227 (20/18.8) Me & Mrs. C Late summerVarious programmingSitcom repeats/specials/movies Notes: Due to the death of Samantha Smith and her father in a plane crash, ABC ceased production on Lime Street and was forced to move Lady Blue into its slot. The Love Boat had a number of 2-hour episodes throughout the season, airing from 9 to 11 p.m. Assorted repeats from previous seasons aired on the 9 p.m. slot during the spring. By network ABC Returning series 20/20 The ABC Friday Night Movie ABC Monday Night Movie The ABC Sunday Night Movie The ABC Thursday Night Movie Benson Diff'rent Strokes (moved from NBC) Dynasty The Fall Guy Hardcastle and McCormick Hotel Life's Most Embarrassing Moments The Love Boat Mr. Belvedere Monday Night Baseball Monday Night Football Moonlighting Ripley's Believe It or Not! Webster Who's the Boss? New series The Colbys * The Disney Sunday Movie * Fortune Dane * Growing Pains He's the Mayor * Hollywood Beat The Insiders Joe Bash * Lady Blue Lime Street MacGyver Mr. Sunshine * Our Family Honor Perfect Strangers * The Redd Foxx Show * Shadow Chasers * Spenser: For Hire Not returning from 1984–85: Call to Glory Eye to Eye Finder of Lost Loves Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders Glitter Hawaiian Heat Jessie MacGruder and Loud Matt Houston Me and Mom Off the Rack Paper Dolls People Do the Craziest Things Rock 'n' Roll Summer Action Street Hawk T. J. Hooker @ Three's a Crowd Wildside CBS Returning series 60 Minutes Airwolf Cagney & Lacey CBS Sunday Movie Crazy Like a Fox Dallas Falcon Crest Kate & Allie Knots Landing Magnum, P.I. Murder, She Wrote Newhart Scarecrow and Mrs. King Simon & Simon Trapper John, M.D. West 57th New series Bridges to Cross * Charlie & Co. The Equalizer Fast Times * Foley Square * George Burns Comedy Week Hometown Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills * Mary * Melba * Morningstar/Eveningstar * Stir Crazy Tough Cookies * The Twilight Zone Not returning from 1984–85: AfterMASH Alice Charles in Charge (Moved to Syndication) Cover Up Detective in the House Double Dare Dreams The Dukes of Hazzard E/R I Had Three Wives The Jeffersons The Lucie Arnaz Show Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer + Otherworld NBC Returning series The A-Team Cheers The Cosby Show The Facts of Life Family Ties Gimme a Break! Highway to Heaven Hill Street Blues Hunter Knight Rider Miami Vice NBC Sunday Night Movie NBC Monday Night at the Movies Night Court Punky Brewster Remington Steele Riptide St. Elsewhere Silver Spoons TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes New series 1986 * 227 Alfred Hitchcock Presents All Is Forgiven * Amazing Stories Blacke's Magic * Dalton's Code of Vengeance * Fathers and Sons * The Golden Girls Hell Town The Last Precinct * Me & Mrs. C * Misfits of Science Stingray * Valerie * You Again? * Not returning from 1984–85: Berrenger's The Best Times Code Name: Foxfire Diff'rent Strokes (moved to ABC) Double Trouble Half Nelson Hot Pursuit It's Your Move Motown Revue OceanQuest Our Time Partners in Crime Sara Spencer/Under One Roof V Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason. ^ Diff'rent Strokes switched networks for the 1985–1986 season. + Mike Hammer abruptly ended production after series star Stacy Keach was sentenced to six months in prison for cocaine possession. Production resumed during the 1986–1987 season. @ T. J. Hooker continued production for CBS' late night schedule for the 1985–1986 season. See also 1985–86 United States network television schedule (daytime) 1985–86 United States network television schedule (late night) Notes References Category:United States primetime network television schedules Category:1985 in American television Category:1986 in American television