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{{Short description|none}}
{{Short description|none}}
{{USTV|1985}}
{{USTV|1985}}
The following is the '''1985–86 network television schedule''' for the three major English language commercial [[List of United States over-the-air television networks|broadcast networks in the United States]]. The schedule covers [[primetime]] hours from September 1985 through August 1986. The schedule is followed by a [[#By network|list per network]] of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the [[1984–85 United States network television schedule|1984–85 season]]. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as ''[[Monday Night Football]]''.
The '''1985–86 network television schedule''' for the three major English language commercial [[List of United States over-the-air television networks|broadcast networks in the United States]] covers [[primetime]] hours from September 1985 through August 1986. The schedule is followed by a [[#By network|list per network]] of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the [[1984–85 United States network television schedule|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.


New series are highlighted in '''bold'''.
New series are highlighted in '''bold'''.

All times are [[Eastern Time Zone|U.S. Eastern]] and [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific Time]] (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for [[Central Time Zone|Central]], [[Mountain Time Zone|Mountain]], [[Alaska Time Zone|Alaska]] and [[Hawaii-Aleutian Time Zone|Hawaii-Aleutian]] times.


Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref name="BM2">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. {{ISBN|978-0-345-49773-4}}.</ref>
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref name="BM2">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. {{ISBN|978-0-345-49773-4}}.</ref>
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This was also the first television season wherein the [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] [[people meter|people meter technology]] was used for the nationwide audience measurement system, largely replacing the diaries system in place from the [[1950-51 United States network television schedule|1950-1951 television season]].<ref name="wapo">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052203719_pf.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=David Cook Wasn't the Only Winner on Wednesday, as 'Idol' Ratings Spike | access-date=May 2, 2010 | first=Lisa | last=de Moraes}}</ref>
This was also the first television season wherein the [[Nielsen Media Research|Nielsen]] [[people meter|people meter technology]] was used for the nationwide audience measurement system, largely replacing the diaries system in place from the [[1950-51 United States network television schedule|1950-1951 television season]].<ref name="wapo">{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/22/AR2008052203719_pf.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=David Cook Wasn't the Only Winner on Wednesday, as 'Idol' Ratings Spike | access-date=May 2, 2010 | first=Lisa | last=de Moraes}}</ref>


⚫
Most of the ratings come from AmericanRadioHistory.com's PDF archive.<ref name=":0">{{cite magazine |title=Broadcasting Magazine |journal=Broadcasting |date=April 28, 1986 |volume=110 |issue=17 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-04-28.pdf}}</ref>
⚫
:{{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} Yellow indicates the programs in the top 10 for the season.
⚫
:{{Color box|cyan|border=darkgray}} Cyan indicates the programs in the top 20 for the season.
⚫
:{{Color box|FF22FF|border=darkgray}} Magenta indicates the programs in the top 30 for the season.


==Legend==
⚫
''[[PBS]] is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary.''
{{Plainlist|
*{{Color box|#C0C0C0|border=darkgray}} Gray indicates encore programming.
*{{Color box|#6699CC|border=darkgray}} Dark blue indicates news programming.
*{{Color box|lightgreen|border=darkgray}} Light green indicates sporting events.
*{{Color box|#bf8fef|border=darkgray}} Light purple indicates movies.
*{{Color box|#FA8072|border=darkgray}} Red indicates series being [[burning off|burned off]] and other regularly scheduled programs, including specials.
⚫
*{{Color box|yellow|border=darkgray}} Yellow indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
⚫
*{{Color box|cyan|border=darkgray}} Cyan indicates the top-20 most watched programs of the season.
⚫
*{{Color box|magenta|border=darkgray}} Magenta indicates the top-30 most watched programs of the season.
}}


⚫
==Sunday==
⚫
Most of the ratings come from AmericanRadioHistory.com's PDF archive.<ref>{{cite magazine |title=Broadcasting Magazine |journal=Broadcasting |date=April 28, 1986 |volume=110 |issue=17 |url=https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-BC/BC-1986/BC-1986-04-28.pdf}}</ref>
⚫
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"

⚫
== Sunday ==
⚫
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 7:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|7:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 7:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|7:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="2"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"| ''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not! (TV series)|Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not! (TV series)|Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]''
| colspan="2"| '''''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'''''
| rowspan="2" colspan="4"| ''[[The ABC Sunday Night Movie]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''[[The ABC Sunday Night Movie]]''
|-
|-
! Winter
! Winter
| colspan="4"|'''''[[Walt Disney anthology television series|The Disney Sunday Movie]]'''''
| colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|'''''[[Walt Disney anthology television series|The Disney Sunday Movie]]'''''
|-
|-
! rowspan="2"|[[CBS]]
! rowspan="2"|[[CBS]]
! Fall
! Fall
| style="background:#ff0;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[60 Minutes]]'' (#4, 23.9/38)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[60 Minutes]]'' {{small|(4/23.9)}}
| style="background:#ff0;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' (#3, 25.3/37)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' {{small|(3/25.3)}}
| colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
|-
|-
! Winter
! Winter
| style="background:#0ff;" colspan="4"|'''''[[CBS Sunday Movie]]''''' (#12, 20.5/31)
| style="background:#00FFFF;" colspan="4"|'''''[[CBS Sunday Movie]]''''' {{small|(12/20.5)}}
|-
|-
! rowspan="3"|[[NBC]]
! rowspan="3"|[[NBC]]
Line 55: Line 65:
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[Amazing Stories (1985 TV series)|Amazing Stories]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[Amazing Stories (1985 TV series)|Amazing Stories]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985 TV series)|Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1985 TV series)|Alfred Hitchcock Presents]]'''''
| style="background:#f2f;" rowspan="3" colspan="4"|''[[NBC Sunday Night Movie|NBC Sunday Night at the Movies]]'' (#21, 18.5/28)
| style="background:#FF00FF;" rowspan="3" colspan="4"|''[[NBC Sunday Night Movie|NBC Sunday Night at the Movies]]'' {{small|(21/18.5)}}
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
Line 61: Line 71:
| '''''[[Fathers and Sons (1986 TV series)|Fathers and Sons]]'''''
| '''''[[Fathers and Sons (1986 TV series)|Fathers and Sons]]'''''
|-
|-
! Late spring
! May
| ''[[Punky Brewster]]''
| ''[[Punky Brewster]]''
|}
|}


== Monday ==
==Monday==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="3"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="3"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Hardcastle and McCormick]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Hardcastle and McCormick]]''
| style="background:#0ff;" colspan="4"|''[[Monday Night Football]]'' (#15, 19.8/32)
| style="background:#00FFFF;" colspan="4"|''[[Monday Night Football]]'' {{small|(15/19.8)}}
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| colspan="4"|''ABC Monday Night Movie''
| colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''ABC Monday Night Movie''
|-
|-
! Summer
! Spring
| colspan="6"|''[[Monday Night Baseball]]''
| colspan="6" style="background:lightgreen;"|''[[Monday Night Baseball]]''
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|[[CBS]]
! colspan="2"|[[CBS]]
| style="background:#f2f;" colspan="2"|''[[Scarecrow and Mrs. King]]'' (#28, 17.4/26)
| style="background:#FF00FF;" colspan="2"|''[[Scarecrow and Mrs. King]]'' {{small|(28/17.4)}}
| style="background:#0ff;"|''[[Kate & Allie]]'' (#14, 20.0/29)
| style="background:#00FFFF;"|''[[Kate & Allie]]'' {{small|(14/20.0)}}
| style="background:#0ff;"|''[[Newhart]]'' (#16, 19.6/29)
| style="background:#00FFFF;"|''[[Newhart]]'' {{small|(16/19.6)}}
| colspan="2"|''[[Cagney & Lacey]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Cagney & Lacey]]''
|-
|-
Line 96: Line 106:
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"|''[[TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes]]''
| style="background:#f2f;" rowspan="2" colspan="4"|''[[The NBC Monday Movie|NBC Monday Night at the Movies]]'' (#22/18.3)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Hotel (U.S. TV series)|Hotel]]'')</small>
| style="background:#FF00FF;" rowspan="2" colspan="4"|''[[The NBC Monday Movie|NBC Monday Night at the Movies]]'' {{small|(22/18.3)<br />(Tied with ''[[Hotel (U.S. TV series)|Hotel]]'')}}
|-
|-
! Spring
! Winter
| style="background:#0ff;"|'''''[[You Again?]]''''' (#19, 19.2/29)
| style="background:#00FFFF;"|'''''[[You Again?]]''''' {{small|(19/19.2)}}
| style="background:#f2f;"|'''''[[The Hogan Family|Valerie]]''''' (#24, 18.1/27)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' and ''[[Falcon Crest]]'')</small>
| style="background:#FF00FF;"|'''''[[The Hogan Family|Valerie]]''''' {{small|(24/18.1)<br />(Tied with ''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' and ''[[Falcon Crest]]'')}}
|}
|}


== Tuesday ==
==Tuesday==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center;width"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="4"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="4"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| style="background:#ff0;" rowspan="4"|''[[Who's the Boss?]]'' (#10, 21.1/32)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="4"|''[[Who's the Boss?]]'' {{small|(10/21.1)}}
| style="background:#0ff;" rowspan="2"|'''''[[Growing Pains]]''''' (#17, 19.5/29)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Knots Landing]]'')</small>
| style="background:#00FFFF;" rowspan="2"|'''''[[Growing Pains]]''''' {{small|(17/19.5)<br />(Tied with ''[[Knots Landing]]'')}}
| style="background:#f2f;" rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' (#24, 18.1/27)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Falcon Crest]]'' and ''[[The Hogan Family|Valerie]]'')</small>
| style="background:#FF00FF;" rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' {{small|(24/18.1)<br />(Tied with ''[[Falcon Crest]]'' and ''[[The Hogan Family|Valerie]]'')}}
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Our Family Honor]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Our Family Honor]]'''''
|-
|-
! Follow-up
! Mid-fall
| rowspan="3" colspan="2"| '''''[[Spenser: For Hire]]'''''
| rowspan="3" colspan="2"|'''''[[Spenser: For Hire]]'''''
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
| '''''[[Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Perfect Strangers]]'''''
| '''''[[Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Perfect Strangers]]'''''
|-
|-
! Late spring
! May
| style="background:#0ff;" |'''''[[Growing Pains]]''''' (#17, 19.5/29)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Knots Landing]]'')</small>
| style="background:#00FFFF;" |'''''[[Growing Pains]]''''' {{small|(17/19.5)<br />(Tied with ''[[Knots Landing]]'')}}
|-
|-
! rowspan="7"|[[CBS]]
! rowspan="7"|[[CBS]]
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Hometown (American TV series)|Hometown]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Hometown (American TV series)|Hometown]]'''''
| rowspan="3" colspan="4"|''CBS Tuesday Night Movie''
| rowspan="3" colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''CBS Tuesday Night Movie''
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-fall
! October
| colspan="2"|''Various programs''
| colspan="2" style="background:#C0C0C0;"|Various programming
|-
|-
! Late fall
! December
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Stir Crazy (TV series)|Stir Crazy]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Stir Crazy (TV series)|Stir Crazy]]'''''
|-
|-
Line 145: Line 155:
| '''''[[Charlie & Co.]]'''''
| '''''[[Charlie & Co.]]'''''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
| colspan="2"|''Various programs''
| colspan="2" style="background:#C0C0C0;"|Various programming
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-winter
! Follow-up
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
| colspan="4"|''CBS Tuesday Night Movie''
| colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''CBS Tuesday Night Movie''
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
Line 157: Line 167:
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|'''''[[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|The Equalizer]]'''''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|'''''[[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|The Equalizer]]'''''
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-spring
! April
| colspan="2"|''Various programs''
| colspan="2" style="background:#C0C0C0;"|Various programming
|-
|-
! rowspan="3"|[[NBC]]
! rowspan="3"|[[NBC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| style="background:#f2f;" rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[The A-Team]]'' (#30, 16.9/26)
| style="background:#FF00FF;" rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[The A-Team]]'' {{small|(30/16.9)}}
| colspan="2"|''[[Riptide (American TV series)|Riptide]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Riptide (American TV series)|Riptide]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Remington Steele]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Remington Steele]]''
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |''[[Hunter (1984 American TV series)|Hunter]]''<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=March 17, 1986 |title=NBC breezes another ratings victory |pages=78 |work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]] |url=https://www.worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-03-17-OCR-Page-0078.pdf |access-date=November 28, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Hunter (1984 American TV series)|Hunter]]''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Stingray (1985 TV series)|Stingray]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Stingray (1985 TV series)|Stingray]]'''''
|-
|-
Line 174: Line 184:
|}
|}


== Wednesday ==
==Wednesday==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center;width"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="4"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="4"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Insiders (TV series)|The Insiders]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Insiders (TV series)|The Insiders]]'''''
| style="background:#ff0;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' (#7, 21.8/33)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[The Golden Girls]]'')</small>
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'' {{small|(7/21.8)<br />(Tied with ''[[The Golden Girls]]'')}}
| style="background:#f2f;" rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[Hotel (American TV series)|Hotel]]'' (#22, 18.3/31)<br /><small>(Tied with [[The NBC Monday Movie]])</small>
| style="background:#FF00FF;" rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[Hotel (American TV series)|Hotel]]'' {{small|(22/18.3)<br />(Tied with [[The NBC Monday Movie]])}}
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |'''''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'''''
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" |'''''[[MacGyver (1985 TV series)|MacGyver]]'''''
|-
|-
! Summer
! Summer
| colspan="2" | ''[[Hardcastle and McCormick]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Hardcastle and McCormick]]''
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-summer
! Follow-up
| '''''[[Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Perfect Strangers]]'''''
| '''''[[Perfect Strangers (TV series)|Perfect Strangers]]'''''
| '''''[[Mr. Sunshine (1986 TV series)|Mr. Sunshine]]'''''
| '''''[[Mr. Sunshine (1986 TV series)|Mr. Sunshine]]'''''
Line 205: Line 215:
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Stir Crazy (TV series)|Stir Crazy]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Stir Crazy (TV series)|Stir Crazy]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[Charlie & Co.]]'''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[Charlie & Co.]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[George Burns Comedy Week]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|'''''[[George Burns Comedy Week]]'''''
| rowspan="5" colspan="2"|'''''[[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|The Equalizer]]'''''
| rowspan="5" colspan="2"|'''''[[The Equalizer (1985 TV series)|The Equalizer]]'''''
|-
|-
! Follow-up
! Mid-fall
| colspan="2"|''[[Airwolf]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Airwolf]]''
|-
|-
! Late fall
! December
| rowspan="2"|'''''[[Mary (1985 TV series)|Mary]]'''''
| rowspan="2"|'''''[[Mary (1985 TV series)|Mary]]'''''
| rowspan="2"|'''''[[Foley Square (TV series)|Foley Square]]'''''
| rowspan="2"|'''''[[Foley Square (TV series)|Foley Square]]'''''
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-winter
! Follow-up
| '''''[[Fast Times]]'''''
| '''''[[Fast Times]]'''''
| '''''[[Tough Cookies]]'''''
| '''''[[Tough Cookies]]'''''
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
| colspan="2"|'''''[[West 57th (TV program)|West 57th]]'''''
| colspan="2" style="background:#6699CC;"|'''''[[West 57th (TV program)|West 57th]]'''''
| colspan="4"|''CBS Wednesday Night Movie''
| colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''CBS Wednesday Night Movie''
|-
|-
! Summer
! Summer
Line 231: Line 241:
| ''[[Newhart]]''
| ''[[Newhart]]''
| colspan="2" | ''[[Airwolf]]''
| colspan="2" | ''[[Airwolf]]''
| colspan="2" | '''''[[West 57th (TV program)|West 57th]]'''''
| colspan="2" style="background:#6699CC;"|'''''[[West 57th (TV program)|West 57th]]'''''
|-
|-
! rowspan="3"| [[NBC]]
! rowspan="3"|[[NBC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| style="background:#0ff;" rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[Highway to Heaven]]'' (#13, 20.1/31)
| style="background:#00FFFF;" rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[Highway to Heaven]]'' {{small|(13/20.1)}}
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Hell Town (TV series)|Hell Town]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Hell Town (TV series)|Hell Town]]'''''
| rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[St. Elsewhere]]''
| rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[St. Elsewhere]]''
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Blacke's Magic]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Blacke's Magic]]'''''
|-
|-
! Summer
! Summer
| ''[[Gimme a Break!]]''
| ''[[Gimme a Break!]]''
| style="background:#0ff;"| '''''[[You Again?]]''''' (#19, 19.2/29)
| style="background:#00FFFF;"|'''''[[You Again?]]''''' {{small|(19/19.2)}}
|}
|}


== Thursday ==
==Thursday==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center;width"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="4"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="4"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
Line 262: Line 272:
| colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Lady Blue (TV series)|Lady Blue]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Lady Blue (TV series)|Lady Blue]]'''''
| rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[20/20 (American TV program)|20/20]]''
| rowspan="4" colspan="2" style="background:#6699CC;"|''[[20/20 (American TV program)|20/20]]''
|-
|-
! Follow-up
! Mid-fall
| colspan="4"|''ABC Thursday Night Movie''
| colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''ABC Thursday Night Movie''
|-
|-
! Late fall
! Follow-up
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Shadow Chasers]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Shadow Chasers]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Colbys|Dynasty II: The Colbys]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Colbys|Dynasty II: The Colbys]]'''''
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| colspan="2"|''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not! (TV series)|Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Ripley's Believe It or Not! (TV series)|Ripley's Believe It or Not!]]''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Colbys]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Colbys]]'''''
Line 278: Line 288:
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"|''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''
| style="background:#f2f;" colspan="2"|''[[Simon & Simon]]'' (#29, 17.2/26)
| style="background:#FF00FF;" colspan="2"|''[[Simon & Simon]]'' {{small|(29/17.2)}}
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="background:#0ff;"|''[[Knots Landing]]'' (#17, 19.5/32)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Growing Pains]]'')</small>
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" style="background:#00FFFF;"|''[[Knots Landing]]'' {{small|(17/19.5)<br />(Tied with ''[[Growing Pains]]'')}}
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
| style="background:#f2f;" colspan="2"|''[[Simon & Simon]]'' (#29, 17.2/26)
| style="background:#FF00FF;" colspan="2"|''[[Simon & Simon]]'' {{small|(29/17.2)}}
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Bridges to Cross]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Bridges to Cross]]'''''
|-
|-
! Summer
! Summer
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Price Is Right (American game show)|Price is Right Special]]'''''
| colspan="2" style="background:#FA8072;"|'''''[[The Price Is Right (American game show)|Price is Right Special]]'''''
| colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Trapper John, M.D.]]''
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|[[NBC]]
! rowspan="4"|[[NBC]]
! Fall
⚫
| style="background:#ff0;"|''[[The Cosby Show]]'' (#1, 33.7/51)
| style="background:#ff0;"|''[[Family Ties]]'' (#2, 30.0/44)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="4" |''[[The Cosby Show]]'' {{small|(1/33.7)}}
| style="background:#ff0;"|''[[Cheers]]'' (#5, 23.7/35)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="2" |''[[Family Ties]]'' {{small|(2/30.0)}}
| style="background:#0ff;"|''[[Night Court]]'' (#11, 20.9/31)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="4" |''[[Cheers]]'' {{small|(5/23.7)}}
| style="background:#00FFFF;" rowspan="4" |''[[Night Court]]'' {{small|(11/20.9)}}
| colspan="2"|''[[Hill Street Blues]]''
⚫
| rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[Hill Street Blues]]''
|-
! Winter
|-
! Spring
|'''''[[All Is Forgiven (TV series)|All Is Forgiven]]''
|-
! Summer
⚫
| style="background:#FFFF00;"|''[[Family Ties]]'' {{small|(2/30.0)}}
|-
|}
|}


== Friday ==
==Friday==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center;width"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="7"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="7"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
Line 317: Line 337:
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Spenser: For Hire]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Spenser: For Hire]]'''''
|-
|-
! Follow-up
! Mid-fall
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Our Family Honor]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Our Family Honor]]'''''
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| '''''[[He's the Mayor]]'''''
| '''''[[He's the Mayor]]'''''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
Line 328: Line 348:
| '''''[[Joe Bash]]'''''
| '''''[[Joe Bash]]'''''
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-spring
! Follow-up
| colspan="4"|''The ABC Friday Night Movie''
| colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''The ABC Friday Night Movie''
|-
|-
! Summer
! Summer
| '''''[[Growing Pains]]'''''
| style="background:#C0C0C0;"|'''''[[Growing Pains]]''''' {{small|(R)}}
| '''''[[Mr. Sunshine (1986 TV series)|Mr. Sunshine]]'''''
| '''''[[Mr. Sunshine (1986 TV series)|Mr. Sunshine]]'''''
| colspan="2" rowspan="2" | ''[[The Love Boat]]''
| colspan="2" rowspan="2"|''[[The Love Boat]]''
|-
|-
⚫
! Mid-summer
! Follow-up
| colspan="2" | ''[[The Fall Guy]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
|-
|-
! rowspan="3" | [[CBS]]
! rowspan="3"|[[CBS]]
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2" | '''''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'''''
| style="background:#ff0;" colspan="2" rowspan="3"| ''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'' (#6, 21.9/35)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" colspan="2" rowspan="3"|''[[Dallas (1978 TV series)|Dallas]]'' {{small|(6/21.9)}}
| style="background:#f2f;" colspan="2" rowspan="3"| ''[[Falcon Crest]]'' (#24, 18.1/30)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' and ''[[The Hogan Family|Valerie]]'')</small>
| style="background:#FF00FF;" colspan="2" rowspan="3"|''[[Falcon Crest]]'' {{small|(24/18.1)<br />(Tied with ''[[Moonlighting (TV series)|Moonlighting]]'' and ''[[The Hogan Family|Valerie]]'')}}
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
Line 350: Line 370:
|-
|-
! Summer
! Summer
| colspan="2" | '''''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Twilight Zone (1985 TV series)|The Twilight Zone]]'''''
|-
|-
! rowspan="4"|[[NBC]]
! rowspan="4"|[[NBC]]
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2" |''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''
| colspan="2" |'''''[[Misfits of Science]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Misfits of Science]]'''''
| style="background:#ff0;" rowspan="4" colspan="2"| ''[[Miami Vice]]'' (#9, 21.3/36)
| style="background:#FFFF00;" rowspan="4" colspan="2"|''[[Miami Vice]]'' {{small|(9/21.3)}}
|-
|-
! Winter
! Winter
| colspan="2" | '''''[[Misfits of Science]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Misfits of Science]]'''''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | ''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Knight Rider (1982 TV series)|Knight Rider]]''
|-
|-
! Late winter
! March
| rowspan="2" colspan="2" | ''[[Riptide (American TV series)|Riptide]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Riptide (American TV series)|Riptide]]''
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
| colspan="2" |'''''[[The Last Precinct]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[The Last Precinct]]'''''
|}
|}
Note: Diff'rent Strokes 1-hour Season 8 Premiered on September 27 at 9:00pm
Note: Diff'rent Strokes 1-hour Season 8 Premiered on September 27 at 9:00pm


== Saturday ==
==Saturday==
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="width:100%; margin:auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;margin-right:0;text-align:center"
|-
|-
! colspan="2" style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| Network
! colspan="2" style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center;width"|Network
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 8:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|8:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 9:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|9:30&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:00 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:00&nbsp;p.m.
! style="background:silver; text-align:center;"| 10:30 PM
! style="background-color:#C0C0C0;text-align:center"|10:30&nbsp;p.m.
|-
|-
! rowspan="5"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
! rowspan="5"|[[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]
Line 387: Line 407:
| rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[The Love Boat]]''
| rowspan="3" colspan="2"|''[[The Love Boat]]''
|-
|-
! Follow-up
! Mid-fall
| colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[The Fall Guy]]''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Lady Blue (TV series)|Lady Blue]]'''''
| colspan="2"|'''''[[Lady Blue (TV series)|Lady Blue]]'''''
|-
|-
! Winter
⚫
! Mid-season
| rowspan="2"|'''''[[The Redd Foxx Show]]'''''
| rowspan="2"|'''''[[The Redd Foxx Show]]'''''
| rowspan="3"|''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]''
| rowspan="3"|''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]''
Line 399: Line 419:
| rowspan="2" colspan="4"|''[[The Love Boat]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="4"|''[[The Love Boat]]''
|-
|-
! Mid-spring
! Follow-up
| ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]''
| ''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]''
|-
|-
Line 405: Line 425:
! Fall
! Fall
| colspan="2"|''[[Airwolf]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Airwolf]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="4"|''CBS Saturday Night Movie''
| rowspan="2" colspan="4" style="background:#bf8fef;"|''CBS Saturday Night Movie''
|-
|-
! Spring
! Spring
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| rowspan="2" colspan="2"|''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
|-
|-
! Mid-spring
! Follow-up
| colspan="2"|''[[Airwolf]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Airwolf]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''
| colspan="2"|''[[Magnum, P.I.]]''
|-
|-
! colspan="2"|[[NBC]]
! rowspan="2" |[[NBC]]
!Fall
| rowspan="3"|''[[Gimme a Break!]]''
| rowspan="4" |''[[Gimme a Break!]]''
| style="background:#f2f;" rowspan="3"|''[[The Facts of Life (TV series)|The Facts of Life]]'' (#27, 17.7/30)
| style="background:#ff0;" rowspan="3"|'''''[[The Golden Girls]]''''' (#7, 21.8/36)<br /><small>(Tied with ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'')</small>
| rowspan="4" style="background:#FF00FF;" |''[[The Facts of Life (TV series)|The Facts of Life]]'' {{small|(27/17.7)}}
| style="background:#0ff;" rowspan="2"|'''''[[227 (TV series)|227]]''''' (#20, 18.8/31)
| rowspan="4" style="background:#FFFF00;" |'''''[[The Golden Girls]]''''' {{small|(7/21.8)<br />(Tied with ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]'')}}
| rowspan="3" style="background:#00FFFF;" |'''''[[227 (TV series)|227]]''''' {{small|(20/18.8)}}
| colspan="2" | ''[[Hunter (1984 American TV series)|Hunter]]''
| colspan="2" | ''[[Hunter (1984 American TV series)|Hunter]]''
|-
!Spring
| colspan="2" |''[[Remington Steele]]''<ref name=":1" />
|}
|}


Line 431: Line 455:
'''Returning series'''
'''Returning series'''
*''[[20/20 (American TV program)|20/20]]''
*''[[20/20 (American TV program)|20/20]]''
*''The ABC Friday Night Movie''
*''ABC Monday Night Movie''
*''[[The ABC Sunday Night Movie]]''
*''[[The ABC Sunday Night Movie]]''
*''The ABC Thursday Night Movie''
*''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]''
*''[[Benson (TV series)|Benson]]''
*''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' (moved from [[NBC]])
*''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' (moved from [[NBC]])
Line 474: Line 501:
*''[[Finder of Lost Loves]]''
*''[[Finder of Lost Loves]]''
*''[[Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders]]''
*''[[Foul-Ups, Bleeps & Blunders]]''
*''[[Glitter (TV series)|Glitter]]''
*''[[Glitter (American TV series)|Glitter]]''
*''[[Hawaiian Heat]]''
*''[[Hawaiian Heat]]''
*''[[Jessie (1984 TV series)|Jessie]]''
*''[[Jessie (1984 TV series)|Jessie]]''
Line 593: Line 620:
*''[[Berrenger's]]''
*''[[Berrenger's]]''
*''[[The Best Times (TV series)|The Best Times]]''
*''[[The Best Times (TV series)|The Best Times]]''
*''Code Name: Foxfire''
*''[[Code Name: Foxfire]]''
*''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' (moved to [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]])
*''[[Diff'rent Strokes]]'' (moved to [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]])
*''[[Double Trouble (American TV series)|Double Trouble]]''
*''[[Double Trouble (American TV series)|Double Trouble]]''

Revision as of 05:35, 13 April 2024

  • Morning: 1983–84
  • 1984–85
  • 1985–86
  • 1986–87
  • 1987–88
  • Overnight: 1983–84
  • 1984–85
  • 1985–86
  • 1986–87
  • 1987–88

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.

New series are highlighted in bold.

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.

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.[1]

This was also 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.[2]

Most of the ratings come from AmericanRadioHistory.com's PDF archive.[3]

Legend

  •   Gray indicates encore programming.
  •   Dark blue indicates news programming.
  •   Light green indicates sporting events.
  •   Light purple indicates movies.
  •   Red indicates series being burned off and other regularly scheduled programs, including specials.
  •   Yellow indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
  •   Cyan indicates the top-20 most watched programs of the season.
  •   Magenta indicates the top-30 most watched programs of the season.

Sunday

Network 7:00 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 Fall Ripley's Believe It or Not! MacGyver The ABC Sunday Night Movie
Winter The Disney Sunday Movie
CBS Fall 60 Minutes (4/23.9) Murder, She Wrote (3/25.3) Crazy Like a Fox Trapper John, M.D.
Winter CBS Sunday Movie (12/20.5)
NBC Fall Punky Brewster Silver Spoons Amazing Stories Alfred Hitchcock Presents NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (21/18.5)
Spring Silver Spoons Fathers and Sons
Late spring Punky Brewster

Monday

Network 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 Fall Hardcastle and McCormick Monday Night Football (15/19.8)
Winter ABC Monday Night Movie
Spring Monday Night Baseball
CBS Scarecrow and Mrs. King (28/17.4) Kate & Allie (14/20.0) Newhart (16/19.6) Cagney & Lacey
NBC Fall TV's Bloopers & Practical Jokes NBC Monday Night at the Movies (22/18.3)
(Tied with Hotel)
Winter You Again? (19/19.2) Valerie (24/18.1)
(Tied with Moonlighting and Falcon Crest)

Tuesday

Network 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 Fall Who'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-fall Spenser: For Hire
Spring Perfect Strangers
Late spring Growing Pains (17/19.5)
(Tied with Knots Landing)
CBS Fall Hometown CBS Tuesday Night Movie
Mid-fall Various programming
Late fall Stir Crazy
Winter Melba Charlie & Co. Trapper John, M.D. Various programming
Mid-winter Trapper John, M.D. CBS Tuesday Night Movie
Spring Morningstar/Eveningstar Mary Foley Square The Equalizer
Mid-spring Various programming
NBC Fall The A-Team (30/16.9) Riptide Remington Steele
Spring Hunter[4] Stingray
Summer 1986

Wednesday

Network 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 Fall The Insiders Dynasty (7/21.8)
(Tied with The Golden Girls) 		Hotel (22/18.3)
(Tied with The NBC Monday Movie)
Winter MacGyver
Summer Hardcastle and McCormick
Mid-summer Perfect Strangers Mr. Sunshine MacGyver
CBS Fall Stir Crazy Charlie & Co. George Burns Comedy Week The Equalizer
Mid-fall Airwolf
Late fall Mary Foley Square
Winter Crazy Like a Fox
Mid-winter Fast Times Tough Cookies
Spring West 57th CBS Wednesday Night Movie
Summer Foley Square Newhart Airwolf West 57th
NBC Fall Highway to Heaven (13/20.1) Hell Town St. Elsewhere
Winter Blacke's Magic
Summer Gimme a Break! You Again? (19/19.2)

Thursday

Network 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 Fall The Fall Guy Lady Blue 20/20
Mid-fall ABC Thursday Night Movie
Late fall Shadow Chasers Dynasty II: The Colbys
Winter Ripley's Believe It or Not! The Colbys
CBS Fall Magnum, P.I. Simon & Simon (29/17.2) Knots Landing (17/19.5)
(Tied with Growing Pains)
Spring Simon & Simon (29/17.2) Bridges to Cross
Summer Price is Right Special Crazy Like a Fox Trapper John, M.D.
NBC Fall The Cosby Show (1/33.7) Family Ties (2/30.0) Cheers (5/23.7) Night Court (11/20.9) Hill Street Blues
Winter
Spring All Is Forgiven
Summer Family Ties (2/30.0)

Friday

Network 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 Fall Webster Mr. Belvedere Diff'rent Strokes Benson Spenser: For Hire
Mid-fall Our Family Honor
Winter He's the Mayor The Fall Guy
Spring Mr. Sunshine Joe Bash
Mid-spring The ABC Friday Night Movie
Summer Growing Pains (R) Mr. Sunshine The Love Boat
Mid-summer The Fall Guy
CBS Fall The Twilight Zone Dallas (6/21.9) Falcon Crest (24/18.1)
(Tied with Moonlighting and Valerie)
Spring Charlie & Co. Leo & Liz in Beverly Hills
Summer The Twilight Zone
NBC Fall Knight Rider Misfits of Science Miami Vice (9/21.3)
Winter Misfits of Science Knight Rider
Late winter Riptide
Spring The Last Precinct

Note: Diff'rent Strokes 1-hour Season 8 Premiered on September 27 at 9:00pm

Saturday

Network 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 Fall Hollywood Beat Lime Street The Love Boat
Mid-fall The Fall Guy Lady Blue
Winter The Redd Foxx Show Benson Fortune Dane
Spring The Love Boat
Mid-spring Diff'rent Strokes
CBS Fall Airwolf CBS Saturday Night Movie
Spring Crazy Like a Fox
Mid-spring Airwolf Magnum, P.I.
NBC Fall Gimme a Break! The Facts of Life (27/17.7) The Golden Girls (7/21.8)
(Tied with Dynasty) 		227 (20/18.8) Hunter
Spring Remington Steele[4]

Note: 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.

By network

ABC

CBS

NBC

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.

References

  1. ^ 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. ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.
  2. ^ de Moraes, Lisa. "David Cook Wasn't the Only Winner on Wednesday, as 'Idol' Ratings Spike". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 2, 2010.
  3. ^ "Broadcasting Magazine" (PDF). Broadcasting. Vol. 110, no. 17. April 28, 1986.
  4. ^ a b "NBC breezes another ratings victory" (PDF). Broadcasting. March 17, 1986. p. 78. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
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