1986–87 United States network television schedule (late night)

These are the late night schedules on all four networks beginning September 1986. 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, ABC and Fox 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[edit]

-		11:00 PM	11:30 PM	12:00 AM	12:30 AM	1:00 AM	1:30 AM	2:00 AM	2:30 AM
ABC	Fall	local programming	ABC News Nightline	The Dick Cavett Show (Tue.-Wed.)/Jimmy Breslin's People (Thur.-Fri.)		Local or sign off
	Winter			Local or sign off
	June			Monday Sportsnite (Mon.)		Local or sign off
CBS	Fall	local programming	CBS Late Night				local programming or sign off	CBS News Nightwatch
	Winter		CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Keep on Cruisin' (Fri., 11:30-12:40)
	Summer		CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/In Person from the Palace (Fri., 11:30-12:40)
NBC	Fall	local programming	The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson		Late Night with David Letterman (Mon.-Thur.)/Friday Night Videos to 2:00 (Fri)		local programming or sign off
NBC	Summer	local programming	The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson		Late Night with David Letterman		Friday Night Videos (Fri.)		local programming or sign off
Fox (launched October 9, 1986)	Fall	The Late Show Starring Joan Rivers		local programming or sign off
Fox (launched October 9, 1986)	May	The Late Show		local programming or sign off