# 1986–87 United States network television schedule (late night)

These are the late night schedules on all four networks beginning September 1986. All times are Eastern/Pacific.
PBS is not included, as member television stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary, CBS, ABC and Fox are not included on the weekend schedules (as the networks do not offer late night programs of any kind on weekends).
Talk/variety shows are highlighted in yellow, network news programs in gold, and local news & programs are highlighted in white background.

## Monday-Friday

| - | - | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| ABC | Fall | local programming | ABC News Nightline | The Dick Cavett Show (Tue.-Wed.)/Jimmy Breslin's People (Thur.-Fri.) | The Dick Cavett Show (Tue.-Wed.)/Jimmy Breslin's People (Thur.-Fri.) | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off |
| ABC | Winter | local programming | ABC News Nightline | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off |
| ABC | June | local programming | ABC News Nightline | Monday Sportsnite (Mon.) | Monday Sportsnite (Mon.) | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off | Local or sign off |
| CBS | Fall | local programming | CBS Late Night | CBS Late Night | CBS Late Night | CBS Late Night | local programming or sign off | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch |
| CBS | Winter | local programming | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Keep on Cruisin' (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Keep on Cruisin' (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Keep on Cruisin' (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Keep on Cruisin' (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | | | | local programming or sign off | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch |
| CBS | Summer | local programming | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/In Person from the Palace (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/In Person from the Palace (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/In Person from the Palace (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/In Person from the Palace (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | | | | local programming or sign off | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch |
| NBC | Fall | local programming | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Late Night with David Letterman (Mon.-Thur.)/Friday Night Videos to 2:00 (Fri) | Late Night with David Letterman (Mon.-Thur.)/Friday Night Videos to 2:00 (Fri) | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off |
| NBC | Summer | local programming | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Late Night with David Letterman | Late Night with David Letterman | Friday Night Videos (Fri.) | Friday Night Videos (Fri.) | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off |
| Fox (launched October 9, 1986) | Fall | The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers | The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off |
| Fox (launched October 9, 1986) | May | The Late Show | The Late Show | | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off |

## Saturday

| - | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| NBC | local programming | Saturday Night Live | Saturday Night Live | Saturday Night Live | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off |

## Sunday

| - | 11:00 PM | 11:30 PM | 12:00 AM | 12:30 AM | 1:00 AM | 1:30 AM | 2:00 AM | 2:30 AM | 3:00 AM | 3:30 AM | 4:00 AM | 4:30 AM | 5:00 AM | 5:30 AM |
| NBC | local programming | The George Michael Sports Machine | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off | local programming or sign off |