These are the late-night schedules for the three U.S. television networks during the 1980–81 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific.

PBS is not included, as member television stations had local flexibility with most of their schedules, and broadcast times for network shows might have varied. ABC and CBS are not included on the weekend schedules because those networks did not offer late-night programming on the weekend.

Talk/variety shows are highlighted in yellow, network news programs in gold, and local news & programs are highlighted in white background.

In September 1980, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) relaxed its rules for late-night television, allowing television stations to remain on the air after normal signoff to experiment with showing visual slides and slow-moving text with background music or no audio at all.

Monday-Friday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMABCFalllocal programmingABC News Nightline (Mon.-Thur.)ABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri, 11:30-12:40)LocalSpringABC News NightlineABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri, 12:00-1:10)CBSlocal programmingThe CBS Late MovieLocalNBCFalllocal programmingThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonThe Tomorrow Show* (Mon.-Thur.)/The Midnight Special (Fri)local programmingMay Tomorrow Coast to Coast (Mon.-Thur.)/SCTV Network 90 (Fri)

(*) renamed Tomorrow Coast to Coast in January

Saturday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMNBClocal programmingSaturday Night Live '80local programming

Sunday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMNBClocal programmingNBC Late Night Movielocal programming

By network ABC

Returning Series ABC Late Night Fridays Nightline

Not returning from 1979 to 1980 The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage

CBS

Returning Series The CBS Late Movie

NBC

Returning Series The Midnight Special NBC Late Night Movie Saturday Night Live '80 The Tomorrow Show / Tomorrow Coast to Coast The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson

New Series SCTV Network 90

References