1985–86 United States network television schedule
The following is the 1985–86 network television schedule for the three major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule 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. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as "Monday Night Football". New series are highlighted in bold. Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research. 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. "PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary." Most of the ratings come from AmericanRadioHistory.com's PDF archive. Friday. Note: Diff'rent Strokes 1-hour Season 8 Premiered on September 27 at 9:00pm Saturday. 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. Returning series New series Not returning from 1984–85: CBS. Returning series New series Not returning from 1984–85: NBC. Returning series New series Not returning from 1984–85: 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