1962–63 United States network television schedule


This was the television schedule on all three networks for the fall season beginning in September 1962.
Television historians Harry Castleman and Walter Podrazik state, "Despite all the promises of programming reform made by television executives in May, 1961, the 1962–63 schedule turned out to be business as usual". Castleman and Podrazik point out that although the three networks had added generally well-made public-affairs and news programs to their schedules, there were "too many of them and their sheer number diluted the audience and stretched resources far too thin to allow quality productions each week". CBS aired CBS Reports and Eyewitness, NBC broadcast Chet Huntley Reporting and David Brinkley's Journal, while ABC had Bell and Howell Close-up and the Howard K. Smith show.
This was the first season that ABC aired some of their prime-time programs in color.
New fall series are highlighted in bold. All times are Eastern and Pacific.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.

Sunday

* formerly known as General Electric Theater
* McKeever and the Colonel aired Sundays at 6:30-7 on NBC.
* Password aired Sundays at 6:30-7 on CBS.

Monday

* In some areas, Walter Cronkite with the News and The Huntley-Brinkley Report aired at 6:45 p.m.. Stump the Stars was formerly Pantomime Quiz.

Tuesday

Note: The CBS series Marshal Dillon consisted of reruns of episodes of Gunsmoke.

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday

Saturday