These are the late night schedules for the four United States broadcast networks that offered programming during this time period, from September 1988 to August 1989.
During this season, CBS launched The Pat Sajak Show to compete with NBC's The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Meanwhile, NBC launched Later with Bob Costas, a new half-hour show following Late Night with David Letterman.
Legend
Schedule All times are Eastern or Pacific. Affiliates will fill non-network schedule with local, syndicated, or paid programming. Affiliates also have the option to preempt or delay network programming at their discretion.
Weekday Network11:00 pm11:30 pm12:00 am12:30 am1:00 am1:30/1:35 am2:00 am2:30 am3:00 am3:30 am4:00 am4:30 am5:00 am5:30 amABCLocal Programming NightlineLocal ProgrammingCBS FallLocal Programming CBS Late NightLocal Programming CBS News Nightwatch Winter The Pat Sajak ShowLocal ProgrammingNBCLocal Programming The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Late Night with David Letterman Later With Bob Costas (Mon-Thu, 1:35) Friday Night Videos (Fri, 1:30-2:30)Local Programming
Saturday Network11:00 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 LiveLocal Programming FOX AugustComic Strip LiveLocal Programming
Sunday Network11:00 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 ProgrammingThe George Michael Sports MachineLocal Programming
By network ABC
Returning Series Nightline
CBS
Returning Series CBS Late Night CBS News Nightwatch
New Series The Pat Sajak Show
Not Returning From 1987-88 Top of the Pops
Fox
New Series Comic Strip Live
Not Returning From 1987-88 The Late Show The Wilton North Report
NBC
Returning Series Friday Night Videos The George Michael Sports Machine Late Night with David Letterman Saturday Night Live The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
New Series Later With Bob Costas
References