# 1986–87 United States network television schedule

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, the Public Broadcasting Service, was in operation but the schedule was set by each local station.
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.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.

## Legend

* Light blue indicates local programming.
* Gray indicates encore programming.
* Blue-gray indicates news programming.
* Light green indicates sporting events.
* Red indicates series being burned off and other irregularly scheduled programs, including specials and movies.
* Light gold indicates programming produced outside of the United States.
* highlight Yellow highlights indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
* highlight Cyan highlights indicates numbers 11-20 most watched programs of the season.
* highlight Magenta highlights indicates numbers 21-30 most watched programs of the season.
* highlight Highlights indicates that it falls in multiple of the above categories.

## Sunday

| Network | 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 | ABC | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The Disney Sunday Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie | The ABC Sunday Night Movie |
| CBS | Fall | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) |
| CBS | Winter | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | Designing Women | Nothing is Easy | Hard Copy | Hard Copy |
| CBS | Spring | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) |
| CBS | Summer | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | 60 Minutes (6/23.3) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | Murder, She Wrote (4/25.4) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) | CBS Sunday Movie (16/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The NBC Monday Movie) |
| Fox | Spring (began April 5) | 21 Jump Street | 21 Jump Street | Married... with Children | The Tracey Ullman Show | Mr. President | Duet | Local programming | Local programming |
| Fox | Summer | 21 Jump Street | 21 Jump Street | Married... with Children | Duet (R) | Mr. President | Duet | Local programming | Local programming |
| NBC | Fall | Our House | Our House | Easy Street | Valerie | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) |
| NBC | Winter | Our House | Our House | Easy Street | Valerie | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) |
| NBC | Spring | Our House | Our House | Rags to Riches | Rags to Riches | | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) |
| NBC | Summer | Our House | Our House | Family Ties (R) | Specials | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) | NBC Sunday Night at the Movies (20/18.2) |

## Monday

| Network | 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 | MacGyver | MacGyver | Monday Night Football (18/18.4) | Monday Night Football (18/18.4) | Monday Night Football (18/18.4) | Monday Night Football (18/18.4) |
| ABC | Winter | MacGyver | MacGyver | The ABC Monday Night Movie | The ABC Monday Night Movie | The ABC Monday Night Movie | The ABC Monday Night Movie |
| ABC | Spring | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball |
| ABC | Summer | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball | Monday Night Baseball |
| CBS | Fall | Kate & Allie (19/18.3) | My Sister Sam (22/17.4) (Tied with L.A. Law) | Newhart (12/19.5) | Designing Women | Cagney & Lacey | Cagney & Lacey |
| CBS | Winter | Kate & Allie (19/18.3) | My Sister Sam (22/17.4) (Tied with L.A. Law) | Newhart (12/19.5) | The Cavanaughs | Cagney & Lacey | Cagney & Lacey |
| CBS | Spring | Kate & Allie (19/18.3) | My Sister Sam (22/17.4) (Tied with L.A. Law) | Newhart (12/19.5) | Designing Women | Cagney & Lacey | Cagney & Lacey |
| CBS | Summer | Kate & Allie (19/18.3) | My Sister Sam (22/17.4) (Tied with L.A. Law) | Newhart (12/19.5) | Designing Women | Cagney & Lacey | Cagney & Lacey |
| NBC | Fall | ALF (28/16.5) (Tied with Hunter) | Amazing Stories | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) |
| NBC | Winter | ALF (28/16.5) (Tied with Hunter) | Amazing Stories | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) |
| NBC | Spring | ALF (28/16.5) (Tied with Hunter) | Valerie | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) |
| NBC | Summer | ALF (28/16.5) (Tied with Hunter) | Valerie | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) | NBC Monday Night at the Movies (17/18.6) (Tied with Matlock and The CBS Sunday Movie) |

## Tuesday

| Network | 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? (10/22.0) | Growing Pains (8/22.7) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Jack and Mike | Jack and Mike |
| ABC | Winter | Who's the Boss? (10/22.0) | Growing Pains (8/22.7) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Jack and Mike | Jack and Mike |
| ABC | Spring | Who's the Boss? (10/22.0) | Growing Pains (8/22.7) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Max Headroom | Max Headroom |
| ABC | Summer | Who's the Boss? (10/22.0) | Growing Pains (8/22.7) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Moonlighting (9/22.4) | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| CBS | Fall | The Wizard | The Wizard | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Winter | Spies | Spies | | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Spring | West 57th | West 57th | | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Summer | The Wizard | The Wizard | | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie | CBS Tuesday Night Movie |
| CBS | Mid-summer | Simon & Simon | Simon & Simon | Houston Knights | Houston Knights | Night Heat | Night Heat |
| NBC | Fall | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Crime Story | Crime Story | 1986 | 1986 |
| NBC | Mid-fall | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues | | 1986 | 1986 |
| NBC | Winter | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues | Remington Steele | Remington Steele |
| NBC | Spring | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Gimme a Break! | Easy Street | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Mid-spring | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Gimme a Break! | The Tortellis | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Summer | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | Matlock (15/18.6) (Tied with The CBS Sunday Movie and The NBC Monday Movie) | NBC Tuesday Night at the Movies | NBC Tuesday Night at the Movies | NBC Tuesday Night at the Movies | NBC Tuesday Night at the Movies |

## Wednesday

| Network | 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 | Perfect Strangers | Head of the Class (30/16.4) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Hotel | Hotel |
| ABC | Winter | Perfect Strangers | Head of the Class (30/16.4) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Hotel | Hotel |
| ABC | Spring | Perfect Strangers | Harry | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Hotel | Hotel |
| ABC | Mid-spring | Perfect Strangers | Head of the Class (30/16.4) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Dynasty (25/17.2) (Tied with Highway to Heaven) | Mariah | Mariah |
| ABC | Summer | Perfect Strangers | Head of the Class (30/16.4) | MacGyver | MacGyver | Hotel | Hotel |
| CBS | Fall | Together We Stand | Better Days | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Late fall | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| CBS | Spring | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | Houston Knights | Houston Knights |
| CBS | Mid-spring | Roxie | Take Five | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | Houston Knights | Houston Knights |
| CBS | Late spring | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | Houston Knights | Houston Knights |
| CBS | Summer | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | Magnum, P.I. | Magnum, P.I. | The Equalizer | The Equalizer |
| NBC | Fall | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Gimme a Break! | You Again? | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |
| NBC | Winter | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Gimme a Break! | The Tortellis | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |
| NBC | Spring | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Night Court (7/23.2) | The Tortellis | The Bronx Zoo | The Bronx Zoo |
| NBC | Late spring | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Night Court (7/23.2) | Easy Street | The Bronx Zoo | The Bronx Zoo |
| NBC | Summer | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | Highway to Heaven (24/17.2) (Tied with Dynasty) | The Facts of Life | Night Court (7/23.2) | St. Elsewhere | St. Elsewhere |
Note: Fox Night at the Movies premiered May 17, 1989 with The Fly.

## Thursday

| Network | 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 | Our World | Our World | The Colbys | The Colbys | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Winter | Our World | Our World | The Colbys | The Colbys | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Spring | Our World | Our World | Jack and Mike | Jack and Mike | | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Summer | Our World | Our World | Heart of the City | Heart of the City | | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Mid-summer | Starman | Starman | Our World | Our World | | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| ABC | Late summer | Sledge Hammer! | The Charmings | Our World | Our World | 20/20 | 20/20 |
| CBS | Fall | Simon & Simon | Simon & Simon | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) | Kay O'Brien | Kay O'Brien |
| CBS | Mid-fall | The Twilight Zone | Simon & Simon | Simon & Simon | Designing Women | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) |
| CBS | Winter | Shell Game | Shell Game | Simon & Simon | Simon & Simon | | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) |
| CBS | Mid-winter | The Wizard | The Wizard | | Simon & Simon | Simon & Simon | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) |
| CBS | Summer | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | | Simon & Simon | Simon & Simon | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) | Knots Landing (26/16.8) (Tied with Miami Vice) |
| CBS | Mid-summer | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | CBS Thursday Night Movie | CBS Thursday Night Movie | CBS Thursday Night Movie | CBS Thursday Night Movie |
| NBC | Fall | The Cosby Show (1/34.9) | Family Ties (2/32.7) | Cheers (3/27.2) | Night Court (7/23.2) | Hill Street Blues | Hill Street Blues |
| NBC | Mid-fall | The Cosby Show (1/34.9) | Family Ties (2/32.7) | Cheers (3/27.2) | Night Court (7/23.2) | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) |
| NBC | Winter | The Cosby Show (1/34.9) | Family Ties (2/32.7) | Cheers (3/27.2) | Night Court (7/23.2) | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) |
| NBC | Spring | The Cosby Show (1/34.9) | Family Ties (2/32.7) | Cheers (3/27.2) | Nothing in Common | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) |
| NBC | Summer | The Cosby Show (1/34.9) | Family Ties (2/32.7) | Cheers (3/27.2) | The Days and Nights of Molly Dodd | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) | L.A. Law (21/17.4) (Tied with My Sister Sam) |

## Friday

| Network | 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 | Sidekicks | Sledge Hammer! | Starman | Starman |
| ABC | Late fall | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Dads | Gung Ho | Starman | Starman |
| ABC | Winter | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | Gung Ho | Dads | Starman | Starman |
| ABC | Mid-winter | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie |
| ABC | Late winter | The Charmings | Webster | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie |
| ABC | Summer | Sledge Hammer! | Mr. Belvedere | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie |
| ABC | Mid-summer | Webster | Mr. Belvedere | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie | The ABC Friday Night Movie |
| CBS | Fall | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Dallas (11/21.3) | Dallas (11/21.3) | Falcon Crest (23/17.3) | Falcon Crest (23/17.3) |
| CBS | Winter | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Scarecrow and Mrs. King | Dallas (11/21.3) | Dallas (11/21.3) | Falcon Crest (23/17.3) | Falcon Crest (23/17.3) |
| CBS | Spring | Nothing Is Easy | The Popcorn Kid | Dallas (11/21.3) | Dallas (11/21.3) | Falcon Crest (23/17.3) | Falcon Crest (23/17.3) |
| CBS | Summer | CBS Summer Playhouse | CBS Summer Playhouse | Dallas (11/21.3) | Dallas (11/21.3) | Hard Copy | Hard Copy |
| CBS | Mid-summer | CBS Summer Playhouse | CBS Summer Playhouse | Dallas (11/21.3) | Dallas (11/21.3) | Adderly | Adderly |
| NBC | Fall | The A-Team | The A-Team | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | L.A. Law (21/17.9) (Tied with My Sister Sam) | L.A. Law (21/17.9) (Tied with My Sister Sam) |
| NBC | Mid-fall | The A-Team | The A-Team | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Crime Story | Crime Story |
| NBC | Winter | Stingray | Stingray | | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Crime Story | Crime Story |
| NBC | Spring | Roomies | Amazing Stories | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Stingray | Stingray |
| NBC | Summer | Stingray | Stingray | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Miami Vice (27/16.8) (Tied with Knots Landing) | Crime Story | Crime Story |

## Saturday

| Network | 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 | Life with Lucy | The Ellen Burstyn Show | Heart of the City | Heart of the City | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Late fall | Sidekicks | Sledge Hammer! | Heart of the City | Heart of the City | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Winter | Sidekicks | Sledge Hammer! | Ohara | Ohara | | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Spring | Starman | Starman | | Ohara | Ohara | Spenser: For Hire | Spenser: For Hire |
| ABC | Late spring | Webster (R) | Sidekicks (R) | Gung Ho (R) | Dads (R) | Starman (R) | Starman (R) |
| ABC | Summer | Webster (R) | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie |
| ABC | Mid-summer | Animal Crack-Ups | The Ellen Burstyn Show | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie | The ABC Saturday Night Movie |
| CBS | Fall | Downtown | Downtown | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | The Twilight Zone | The Twilight Zone |
| CBS | Mid-fall | The Wizard | The Wizard | | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | The Twilight Zone | The Twilight Zone |
| CBS | Late fall | Downtown | Downtown | | The New Mike Hammer | The New Mike Hammer | The Twilight Zone | The Twilight Zone |
| CBS | Winter | Outlaws | Outlaws | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | The CBS Saturday Night Movie |
| CBS | Spring | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | The CBS Saturday Night Movie | West 57th | West 57th |
| Fox | Summer (started Jul. 11) | Down and Out in Beverly Hills | The New Adventures of Beans Baxter | Werewolf | Karen's Song | Local programming | Local programming |
| Fox | Mid-summer | Werewolf | The New Adventures of Beans Baxter | Down and Out in Beverly Hills | Karen's Song | Local programming | Local programming |
| NBC | Fall | The Facts of Life | 227 (14/18.9) | The Golden Girls (5/24.5) | Amen (13/19.4) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) |
| NBC | Winter | The Facts of Life | 227 (14/18.9) | The Golden Girls (5/24.5) | Amen (13/19.4) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) |
| NBC | Spring | The Facts of Life | Sweet Surrender | The Golden Girls (5/24.5) | Amen (13/19.4) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) |
| NBC | Late spring | 227 (14/18.9) | Me & Mrs. C | The Golden Girls (5/24.5) | Amen (13/19.4) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) |
| NBC | Summer | The Facts of Life (R) | 227 (R) | The Golden Girls (5/24.5) | Amen (13/19.4) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) | Hunter (28/16.5) (Tied with ALF) |

## By network
### ABC

+ Animal Crack-Ups had a short run in prime time before moving to Saturday mornings in the fall of 1987.

### CBS

+ 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

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.