1971–72 United States network television schedule


This was the television schedule on all three United States television networks for the fall season beginning in September 1971. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with a few exceptions, such as Monday Night Football. This season would be the first time the prime time schedule would be shortened to three hours, giving the 7:30 p.m. slot back to local stations, as implemented in the Prime Time Access Rule.
New fall series are highlighted in bold.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
The Public Broadcasting Service was in operation, but the schedule was set by each local station.

Sunday

Note: 60 Minutes aired at 6:00-7:00 pm on CBS from January to June 1972.

Monday

Tuesday

Note: The NBC 1972 summer series Ponderosa consisted of reruns of Bonanza episodes from the 1967-1970 period. More recent reruns of Bonanza also aired that summer under the shows original name in its regular Sunday evening time slot. NBC Action Playhouse consisted of reruns from earlier anthology series.

Wednesday

Note: The ABC 1972 summer series ABC Comedy Hour Presents the Kopykats consisted of reruns of ABC Comedy Hour from earlier in the year.

Thursday

Friday

Saturday

By network

ABC">American Broadcasting Company">ABC

Returning Series
New Series
Not Returning From 1970-71'
Returning Series
New Series
  • Bearcats!
  • Cade's County
  • Cannon
  • The Chicago Teddy Bears
  • The David Steinberg Show
  • The Don Rickles Show
  • Funny Face
  • The Jerry Reed When You're Hot You're Hot Hour
  • The John Byner Comedy Hour
  • The Life of Leonardo da Vinci
  • Me and the Chimp
  • The New Dick Van Dyke Show
  • O'Hara, U.S. Treasury
Not Returning From 1970-71'
Returning Series
New Series
Not Returning From 1970-71