1980–81 United States network television schedule (late night) explained

These are the late-night schedules for the three U.S. television networks during the 1980–81 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific.

PBS is not included, as member television stations had local flexibility with most of their schedules, and broadcast times for network shows might have varied. ABC and CBS are not included on the weekend schedules because those networks did not offer late-night programming on the weekend.

Talk/variety shows are highlighted in

yellow, network news programs in gold, and local news & programs are highlighted in white background.

Monday-Friday

bgcolor="#C0C0C0" colspan=2	-	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	Fall	local programming	ABC News Nightline (Mon.-Thur.)	ABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri, 11:30-12:40)			Local
Spring	ABC News Nightline	ABC Late Night (Mon.-Thur.)/Fridays (Fri, 12:00-1:10)
CBS	local programming	The CBS Late Movie				Local
NBC	Fall	local programming	The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson		The Tomorrow Show (Mon.-Thur.)/The Midnight Special (Fri)			local programming
May	Tomorrow Coast to Coast (Mon.-Thur.)/*SCTV Network 90* (Fri)

(*) renamed Tomorrow Coast to Coast in January

Saturday

bgcolor="#C0C0C0"	-	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 '80			local programming

Sunday

bgcolor="#C0C0C0"	-	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

ABC

Returning Series

ABC Late Night
Fridays
Nightline

Not returning from 1979 to 1980

The Iran Crisis: America Held Hostage

CBS

Returning Series

The CBS Late Movie

NBC

Returning Series

New Series

SCTV Network 90