Battle of the Network Stars is a series of competitions in which television stars from ABC, CBS and NBC would compete in various sporting events. A total of 19 of these competitions were held between 1976 and 1988, all of which were aired by ABC.
In 2003, NBC attempted to revive Battle of the Network Stars with a two-hour special.
In 2005, Bravo premiered a revived version of the show named Battle of the Network Reality Stars. Also in 2005, ESPN premiered a sports-themed spinoff version of Battle of the Network Stars as Battle of the Gridiron Stars featuring twenty players from the AFC and NFC competing in a variety of tasks that had nothing to do with football.
In 2017, ABC revived the series as a summer series, which ran from June 29 to September 7, 2017.
Broadcast history The first Battle was broadcast on ABC starting in November 1976. The program proved popular and continued for an additional eight and a half years, with subsequent episodes airing approximately every six months until May 1985. One final competition aired in December 1988. NBC tried to revive the competition in August 2003 with Tony Potts as host, but with an intra-network contest consisting of personalities from the NBC family of networks. Typically, episodes were aired twice per calendar year, once during the spring and once during the fall during Nielsen Ratings sweeps weeks.
Sports broadcaster Howard Cosell hosted or co-hosted all but one of the first nineteen competitions (he did not host the 1985 edition due to a falling-out with ABC, but he returned for the final edition in 1988), and commented on the action with a semi-serious version of the style for which he was famous.
When ABC revived the program as a weekly series in 2017, Mike Greenberg and Joe Tessitore took over the hosting duties. Furthermore, each episode began with a remake of the opening sequence of ABC's Wide World of Sports.
Format 1976–1988 All but one of the competitions took place at the sports facilities of Pepperdine University located overlooking Malibu, California. The only exception was the 18th (XVIII) which was held in Ixtapa, Mexico.
Each network was represented by eight or ten of its stars from various series, and one of those people from each team would be elected to serve as the network's team captain.
Some of the events were modeled after those used on Superstars, another Trans World-ABC production that featured athletes from all sports competing against each other for an overall title. Regular events included swimming, kayaking, volleyball, golf, tennis, bowling (on custom-made outdoor lanes), cycling, 3-on-3 football, the baseball dunk, running, and the obstacle course. Also featured as a regular event was a game of "Simon Says", directed by Catskill hotel Grossinger's entertainer Lou Goldstein.SRO Productions Each network received points based on how it performed in the event.
After the regular events were over, the lowest scoring network was eliminated from further competition and the two remaining networks determined the day's winner with the final event, the Tug of War.
2017 Two teams of five celebrities competed each week with a professional athlete as their coach The coaches returned throughout the season. The teams were typically assigned based on the genre or role of the celebrities' notable TV credits. For example, one episode pitted prime-time soap opera stars against actors associated with comedies, while another had actors who played lawyers vs. those who played White House employees. Teams often included at least one veteran actor or actress who had previously competed in the original Battle of the Network Stars and archive footage of their previous appearance(s) was shown. The venue remained Pepperdine University, as it was in the original.
Episodes Battle of the Network Stars I (Nov. 13, 1976) Host ABC (winner) CBS NBC Howard CosellGabe Kaplan (captain)Darleen CarrLynda CarterFarrah Fawcett-MajorsRichard HatchRobert HegyesRon HowardHal LindenPenny MarshallJohn SchuckTelly Savalas (captain)Adrienne BarbeauGary BurghoffKevin DobsonPat Harrington, Jr.Bill MacyLee MeriwetherMackenzie PhillipsLoretta SwitJimmie WalkerRobert Conrad (captain)Melissa Sue AndersonKaren GrassleTim MathesonBen MurphyBarbara ParkinsJoanna PettetKevin TigheBobby TroupDemond Wilson
Battle of the Network Stars II (Feb. 28, 1977) This edition aired under the title Challenge of the Network Stars. HostsABC CBS NBC (winner)Howard CosellBruce JennerO. J. SimpsonGabe Kaplan (captain)LeVar BurtonDarleen CarrRichard HatchLawrence Hilton-JacobsRon HowardHal LindenKristy McNicholPenny MarshallJaclyn SmithTelly Savalas (captain)Sonny BonoKevin DobsonMike FarrellDavid GrohLinda LavinLee MeriwetherRob ReinerLoretta SwitMarcia WallaceRobert Conrad (captain)Elizabeth AllenLynda Day GeorgeCarl FranklinKaren GrassleDan HaggertyArt HindleKurt RussellJane SeymourW. K. Stratton
Battle of the Network Stars III (Nov. 4, 1977) HostsABC (winner)CBS NBC Howard CosellTelly SavalasBruce JennerGabe Kaplan (captain)Fred BerryBilly CrystalChris DeRoseVictor FrenchCheryl LaddKristy McNicholPenny MarshallSuzanne SomersParker StevensonJimmie Walker (captain)Adrienne BarbeauValerie BertinelliKevin DobsonJamie FarrCaren KayeJames MacArthurJimmy McNicholLoretta SwitLyle WaggonerDan Haggerty (captain)Robert ConradElinor DonahuePatrick DuffyPeter IsacksenLance KerwinDonna MillsBelinda MontgomeryMichelle PhillipsLarry Wilcox
Battle of the Network Stars IV (May 7, 1978) HostsABC CBS (winner)NBC Howard CosellBruce JennerSuzanne SomersGabe Kaplan (captain)Debby BooneDaryl DragonKene HollidaySteve LandesbergParker StevensonToni TennilleCheryl TiegsTony Randall (captain)Kevin DobsonJames MacArthurDenise NicholasMackenzie PhillipsVictoria PrincipalBo SvensonJimmie WalkerRichard Benjamin (captain)Rhonda BatesJane CurtinDennis DuganMelissa GilbertArte JohnsonLance KerwinLarry Wilcox
Battle of the Network Stars V (Nov. 18, 1978) HostsABCCBSNBC (winner)Howard CosellFrank GiffordGabe Kaplan (captain)Debby BooneBilly CrystalJoyce DeWittRichard HatchMaren JensenRobert UrichRobin WilliamsMcLean Stevenson (captain)Valerie BertinelliLeVar BurtonLou FerrignoPat KlousDavid LettermanTim ReidCharlene TiltonRobert Conrad (captain)Joseph BottomsWilliam DevanePamela HensleyBrianne LearyWendy RastatterWilliam ShatnerCaskey Swaim
Battle of the Network Stars VI (May 7, 1979) HostABCCBS (winner)NBCHoward CosellDick Van Patten (captain)Scott BaioBilly CrystalRichard HatchDonna PescowSusan RichardsonToni TennilleRobert UrichJamie Farr (captain)Catherine BachValerie BertinelliPatrick DuffyLou FerrignoLeif GarrettVictoria PrincipalGary SandyRobert Conrad (captain)Todd BridgesMary CrosbyJane CurtinWilliam DevaneGreg EviganBrianne LearyLarry Wilcox
Battle of the Network Stars VII (Nov. 2, 1979) HostsABCCBSNBC (winner)Howard CosellBilly CrystalDick Van Patten (captain)Willie AamesDiana CanovaJoanna CassidyRobert HaysMax GailKristy McNicholShelley SmithEd Asner (captain)Valerie BertinelliGregory HarrisonHoward HessemanKathryn Leigh ScottJudy Norton TaylorJan SmithersAllen WilliamsRobert Conrad (captain)Greg EviganGil GerardMelissa GilbertErin GrayRandi OakesSarah PurcellPatrick Wayne
Battle of the Network Stars VIII (May 4, 1980) HostsABC (winner)CBS NBC Howard CosellJoyce DeWittLynn SwannCathy Lee Crosby (captain)Scott BaioRobyn DouglassGrant GoodeveRobert HaysKent McCordCaroline McWilliamsJoan PratherChad Everett (captain)Jonelle AllenCatherine BachGregory HarrisonSherman HemsleyGary SandyCharlene TiltonJoan Van ArkWilliam Devane (captain)Gil GerardKaren GrasslePamela HensleyBrian KerwinRandi OakesSarah PurcellLarry Wilcox
Battle of the Network Stars IX (Dec. 5, 1980) HostsABCCBS (winner)NBCHoward CosellCathy Lee CrosbyJohn Davidson (captain)Willie AamesScott BaioPhyllis DavisDonna DixonMax GailAnn JillianSusan RichardsonJamie Farr (captain)Gregory HarrisonDiane LaddDonna MillsJudy Norton TaylorTom SelleckJoan Van ArkRobert WaldenArte Johnson (captain)Byron AllenJohn BeckGreg EviganErin GrayJudy LandersSarah PurcellCristina Raines
Battle of the Network Stars X (May 8, 1981) HostsABC CBS (winner)NBC Howard CosellErin GrayRobert Urich (captain)Scott BaioMelanie ChartoffJeff ConawayLinda EvansJenilee HarrisonBo HopkinsAnn JillianTom Selleck (captain)Danielle BriseboisGregory HarrisonMichele LeeLeigh McCloskeyJudy Norton TaylorTim ReidCharlene TiltonBarbara Mandrell (captain)Woody BrownMelissa GilbertBrian KerwinLouise MandrellRandi OakesSkip StephensonMichael Warren
Battle of the Network Stars XI (Nov. 20, 1981) HostsABC CBS NBC (winner)Howard CosellLee MajorsScott Baio (captain)Douglas BarrCathy Lee CrosbyDonna DixonTelma HopkinsAnn JillianSam J. JonesAndrew StevensPernell Roberts (captain)Mimi KennedyLorenzo LamasJared MartinDonna MillsTim ReidCharlene TiltonBerlinda TolbertGabe Kaplan (captain)Maud AdamsMelissa GilbertMark HarmonRandi OakesCristina RainesJames B. SikkingFred Willard
Battle of the Network Stars XII (May 5, 1982) HostsABC CBS (winner)NBC Howard CosellRandi OakesWilliam Shatner (captain)Douglas BarrJoan CollinsLydia CornellJohn DavidsonTelma HopkinsJohn JamesHeather ThomasPernell Roberts (captain)Catherine BachDanielle BriseboisAudrey LandersBrian Stokes MitchellJoan Van ArkRobert WaldenTom WopatDaniel J. Travanti (captain)Debbie AllenMark HarmonNancy McKeonJoe PiscopoCristina RainesLynn RedgraveBruce Weitz
Battle of the Network Stars XIII (Oct. 1, 1982) HostsABC (winner)CBS NBC Howard CosellDebbie AllenWilliam Shatner (captain)Stephen CollinsHelen HuntJohn JamesHeather LocklearKathy MaisnikHeather ThomasDemond WilsonKevin Dobson (captain)Bruce BoxleitnerDelta BurkeByron CherryChristopher NorrisJameson ParkerPenny PeyserJoan Van ArkDaniel J. Travanti (captain)Dean ButlerTina GayleMelissa GilbertRicky SchroderLeigh Taylor-YoungBetty ThomasMichael Warren
Battle of the Network Stars XIV (May 4, 1983) HostsABC (winner)CBS NBC Howard CosellMorgan FairchildJohn James (captain)Scott BaioRachel DennisonLisa EilbacherHeather LocklearRandi OakesGeoffrey ScottAdrian ZmedTom Wopat (captain)John BeckDanielle BriseboisAudrey LandersDenise MillerWilliam R. MosesTracy NelsonTed ShackelfordBruce Weitz (captain)Peter BartonDavid BirneyMeredith Baxter-BirneyNancy McKeonCynthia SikesMr. TBetty Thomas
Battle of the Network Stars XV (Nov. 3, 1983) HostsABC (winner)CBS NBC Howard CosellRobert ConradDonna MillsWilliam Shatner (captain)Shari BelafonteDaniel Hugh KellyHeather LocklearBen MurphyGeoffrey ScottHeather ThomasJill WhelanWilliam Devane (captain)Ana AliciaRosalind ChaoCharles FrankWilliam R. MosesMartha SmithAndrew StevensJoan Van ArkMr. T (captain)Edward AlbertTeri CopleyMelinda CuleaChad EverettCharles HaidVicki LawrenceCynthia Sikes
Battle of the Network Stars XVI (May 3, 1984) HostsABC CBS (winner)NBC Howard CosellScott BaioDebby BooneJohn James (captain)Shari BelafontePamela BellwoodJames DarrenC. Thomas HowellTed LangeHeather LocklearShawn WeatherlyWilliam Devane (captain)Richard Dean AndersonAbby DaltonSarah DouglasWilliam R. MosesDouglas SheehanCharlene TiltonCelia WestonFlip Wilson (captain)Ellen BryKim FieldsMichael J. FoxCharles HaidMark HarmonVicki LawrenceLisa Whelchel
Battle of the Network Stars XVII (Dec. 20, 1984) HostsABC CBS NBC (winner)Howard CosellShari BelafonteWilliam Shatner (captain)Douglas BarrMary CadoretteTony DanzaTony Lo BiancoHeather LocklearTracy ScogginsBrenda VaccaroWilliam Devane (captain)Constance McCashinJennifer O'NeillTim ReidDouglas SheehanDeborah SheltonParker StevensonCharlene TiltonMark Harmon (captain)Jane BadlerTeri CopleyKim FieldsMichael J. FoxStepfanie KramerJames B. SikkingMarc Singer
Battle of the Network Stars XVIII (May 23, 1985)