1981–1982 United States network television schedule

This was the television schedule on all three commercial broadcast television networks in the United States for the fall season beginning in September 1981. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as "Monday Night Football".

The highest-rated show for the year is highlighted in lime. The top 10 rated programs are highlighted in yellow. The top 20 rated programs are highlighted in cyan. "Rankings determined by Nielsen Media Research" [cite web|url=http://theenvelope.latimes.com/extras/lostmind/ratings/1981_1982.htm|title=1981-1982 Television Season Top Rated Shows|accessdate=2006-11-06]

New fall series are highlighted in bold.

Note: A Writers Guild of America strike hindered the ability to start airing shows in a timely manner. The shows in the schedule were the first to air new episodes in their respective time periods as they bowed in between September and early December. The debut month for each new series that had been intended for a fall premiere is noted as to when it actually appeared.

"PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, was in operation but the schedule was set by each local station."

Sunday

Note: On CBS, local programming aired at 8-9 p.m. till mid-November. On NBC, NBC Tuesday Night at the Movies aired at 8-10 p.m. till the end of October, along with local programming at 10-11 p.m.

Wednesday

Note: On ABC, The ABC Friday Night Movie aired 9-11 p.m. through till mid-November. Open All Night was supposed to have aired 8:30-9 p.m., but because Maggie had been canceled, aired on Saturday instead. On NBC, NBC Friday Night at the Movies aired 9-11 p.m. through November 20. The Devlin Connection was supposed to have premiered in the 10-11 p.m. time period on November 27, but was held back until the following season when its star, Rock Hudson, had heart surgery in early November. As a result, CBS quietly and permanently canceled The Incredible Hulk, moving The Dukes of Hazzard to 8-9 p.m. and Dallas to 9-10 p.m., effective December 4. Falcon Crest, which the WGA strike had supposed to have held back until the following season, was rushed into production to take over the 10-11 p.m. time period on December 4.

Saturday

Note: On ABC, Maggie was replaced by Open All Night, effective November 28; King's Crossing, which was supposed to have aired 8-9 p.m., was delayed until February, 1982, as an indirect result of the WGA strike.

References