1980–81 United States network television schedule (late night)

none August 2026 March 2025 1980 These are the late-night schedules for the three U.S. television networks during the 1980–81 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific. PBS is not included, as member television stations had local flexibility with most of their schedules, and broadcast times for network shows might have varied. ABC and CBS are not included on the weekend schedules because those networks did not offer late-night programming on the weekend. Talk/variety shows are highlighted in yellow, network news programs in gold, and local news & programs are highlighted in white background. In September 1980, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relaxed its rules for late-night television, allowing television stations to remain on the air after normal signoff to experiment with showing visual slides and slow-moving text with background music or no audio at all.September 16, 1980 FCC relaxes late night television rules https://www.newspapers.com/article/anchorage-times-fcc-relaxes-late-night-t/204069355/ 2026-08-18 Anchorage Times Newspapers.com Associated Press Monday-Friday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMABCFalllocal programmingABC News Nightline (Mon.-Thur.)ABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri, 11:30-12:40)LocalSpringABC News NightlineABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri, 12:00-1:10)CBSlocal programmingThe CBS Late MovieLocalNBCFalllocal programmingThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonThe Tomorrow Show* (Mon.-Thur.)/The Midnight Special (Fri)local programmingMay Tomorrow Coast to Coast (Mon.-Thur.)/SCTV Network 90 (Fri) (*) renamed Tomorrow Coast to Coast in January Saturday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMNBClocal programmingSaturday Night Live '80local programming Sunday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMNBClocal programmingNBC Late Night Movielocal programming By network ABC Returning Series ABC Late Night Fridays Nightline Not returning from 1979 to 1980 The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage CBS Returning Series The CBS Late Movie NBC Returning Series The Midnight Special NBC Late Night Movie Saturday Night Live '80 The Tomorrow Show / Tomorrow Coast to Coast The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson New Series SCTV Network 90 References Category:United States late night network television schedules Category:1980 in American television Category:1981 in American television