These are the late night schedules for the four United States broadcast networks that offer programming during this time period, from September 1988 to August 1989. All times are Eastern or Pacific. Affiliates will fill non-network schedule with local, syndicated, or paid programming. Affiliates also have the option to preempt or delay network programming at their discretion.
| Network | 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 | Local Programming or sign-off | |||||||||||||
| CBS | Local Programming | CBS Late Night (Mon.-Thru.)/Top of the Pops (Fri., 11:30-12:40) | Local Programming | CBS News Nightwatch | ||||||||||||
| NBC | Local Programming | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Late Night with David Letterman | Friday Night Videos (Fri) | Local Programming or sign-off | |||||||||||
| FOX | Fall | The Late Show | Local Programming or sign-off | |||||||||||||
| Winter | The Wilton North Report | |||||||||||||||
| Mid-Winter | The Late Show | |||||||||||||||
Returning Series
Not Returning From 1986-87
Returning Series
New Series
Not Returning From 1986-87
Returning Series
New Series
Returning Series