1981–82 United States network television schedule (late night)

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

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- 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM 2:30 AM 3:00 AM 3:30 AM 4:00 AM 4:30 AM 5:00 AM 5:30 AM
ABC local programming Nightline ABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri) Local
CBS local programming The CBS Late Movie Local
NBC Fall local programming The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Tomorrow Coast to Coast (Mon.-Thur.)/SCTV Network 90 (Fri) local programming
Winter Late Night with David Letterman (Mon.-Thur.)/SCTV Network 90 to 2:00 (Fri) local programming
Summer NBC News Overnight (Mon.-Thur., 1:30-2:30/Fri., 2:00-3:00) local programming

Saturday

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- 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM 2:30 AM 3:00 AM 3:30 AM 4:00 AM 4:30 AM 5:00 AM 5:30 AM
NBC local programming Saturday Night Live local programming

Sunday

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- 11:00 PM 11:30 PM 12:00 AM 12:30 AM 1:00 AM 1:30 AM 2:00 AM 2:30 AM 3:00 AM 3:30 AM 4:00 AM 4:30 AM 5:00 AM 5:30 AM
NBC local programming NBC Late Night Movie local programming

By network

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