These are the late night schedules on all three networks for each calendar season beginning September 1981. 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 and ABC 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 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 AMABClocal programmingNightlineABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri)LocalCBSlocal programmingThe CBS Late MovieLocalNBCFalllocal programmingThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny CarsonTomorrow Coast to Coast (Mon.-Thur.)/SCTV Network 90 (Fri)local programming WinterLate Night with David Letterman (Mon.-Thur.)/SCTV Network 90 to 2:00 (Fri)local programmingSummer NBC News Overnight (Mon.-Thur., 1:30-2:30/Fri., 2:00-3:00)local programming
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 local 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
CBS
Returning Series The CBS Late Movie
NBC
Returning Series NBC Late Night Movie Saturday Night Live SCTV Network 90 Tomorrow Coast to Coast The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
New Series NBC News Overnight Late Night with David Letterman
Not Returning From 1980-81 The Midnight Special