1989–90 United States network television schedule explained

The 1989–90 network television schedule for the four major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 1989 through August 1990. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1988–89 season.

Beginning this season, Fox started their prime time expansion starting with Mondays.

This is the first season to feature entirely closed captioning programs on the Big Four networks.

This was the first time that two programs were tied for the no. 1 spot in the Nielsen ratings.

PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary.

New series are highlighted in bold.

All times are U.S. Eastern and Pacific Time (except for some live sports or events). Subtract one hour for Central, Mountain, Alaska and Hawaii-Aleutian times.

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.[1]

Sunday

Network7:00 p.m.7:30 p.m.8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallLife Goes OnFree SpiritHomeroomThe ABC Sunday Night Movie
WinterAmerica's Funniest Home Videos Free Spirit
Mid-winterElvis
SpringAmerica's Funniest Home Videos
SummerThe ABC Sunday Night Movie
Mid-summerMr. BelvedereThe ABC Sunday Night Movie
Late summerTim Conway's Funny America
CBSMurder, She Wrote
FoxFallBookerAmerica's Most WantedTotally Hidden VideoMarried... with ChildrenOpen HouseThe Tracey Ullman ShowIt's Garry Shandling's Show
WinterThe Simpsons
SpringThe OutsidersBooker
NBCFallBrand New LifeSister KateMy Two Dads NBC Sunday Night Movie
WinterThe Magical World of Disney
Mid-winterAnn JillianSister Kate
SpringALF227
Mid-spring227ALF
SummerThe Magical World of Disney

Note: In Living Color premiered Sunday April 15 at 9:30 PM on Fox.

Monday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallMacGyver
WinterThe ABC Monday Night Movie
SpringChina BeachCapital News
Mid-springThe Young RidersThe ABC Monday Night Movie
SummerMacGyver
CBSFallMajor DadThe People Next DoorMurphy Brown The Famous Teddy ZDesigning Women Newhart
Mid-fallThe Famous Teddy ZDesigning Women NewhartDoctor Doctor
WinterCity
SpringHis & Hers
Mid-springNewhartVarious programming
SummerSydneyNewhartThe Dave Thomas Comedy Show
Mid-summerMajor DadDoctor Doctor
Fox21 Jump StreetAlien NationLocal programming
NBCFallALFThe Hogan FamilyNBC Monday Night at the Movies
SpringMy Two Dads
Mid-springWorking GirlHunter Shannon's Deal
Late springThe Hogan Family
SummerALFThe Hogan FamilyNBC Monday Night at the Movies
Mid-summerWorking Girl

Tuesday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallWho's the Boss? The Wonder Years Roseanne Chicken Soup Thirtysomething
Mid-fallCoach
CBSFallRescue 911WolfIsland Son
SpringCBS Tuesday Night Movie
NBCFallMatlock In the Heat of the Night Midnight Caller
SummerReal Life with Jane Pauley

Wednesday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallGrowing Pains Head of the Class Doogie Howser, M.D. Anything but LoveChina Beach
SpringThe Marshall ChroniclesEqual Justice
Mid-springBrewster Place
SummerAnything but LoveChina Beach
CBSFallPeaceable KingdomJake and the FatmanWiseguy
Mid-fallBeauty and the Beast
WinterGrand Slam
SpringNormal LifeSydney
Mid-springSydneyNormal LifeKnots Landing
SummerThis Is America, Charlie Brown
Mid-summerNewhart His & HersTop Cops
NBCFallUnsolved Mysteries Night Court The Nutt HouseQuantum Leap
Mid-fallMy Two Dads
WinterDear John
SpringFM
SummerDear John

Notes: Seinfeld premiered July 5, 1989 at 9:30 p.m. on NBC. FM aired at 9:30 p.m. on NBC from August 23 to September 6, 1989. Glory Days aired at 8:00 p.m. on Fox from July 25 to August 2, 1990. Molloy aired at 9:00 p.m. on Fox from July 25 until August 15, 1990. Fox aired movies at 8:00 p.m. on an irregular basis.

Thursday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallMission: ImpossibleThe Young RidersPrimetime Live
WinterFather Dowling Mysteries
SpringTwin Peaks
CBSFall48 HoursTop of the HillKnots Landing
WinterIsland Son
Spring
Mid-springFalcon Crest
SummerWiseguyWolf
Mid-summerNorthern ExposureThe Eddie Capra Mysteries
NBCFallThe Cosby Show A Different World Cheers Dear John L.A. Law
WinterGrand
SpringWings
SummerSeinfeld
Mid-summerGrand
Notes: The Eddie Capra Mysteries, which CBS aired from July 26 to August 30, consisted of reruns of episodes from the 1978-79 NBC series. FM premiered August 17, 1989 at 9:30 p.m. on NBC and aired its fifth episode on September 14.

Friday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallFull House Family MattersPerfect StrangersJust the Ten of Us20/20
SummerNew Attitude
CBSFallSnoopsDallasFalcon Crest
Winter
Mid-winterThe Bradys
Spring Various programmingBagdad CafeSugar and SpiceDallas
Mid-springSmall TalkCity
SummerFalcon CrestCBS Friday Movie
Mid-summerCandid CameraBagdad CafeNewhart Wish You Were HereRoom for Romance
Late summerPrime Time PetsCandid Camera
NBCFallBaywatchHardballMancuso, F.B.I.
WinterTrue Blue
Mid-winterNasty Boys
SpringHardball
Mid-springMancuso, F.B.I.
SummerBret Maverick The Yellow Rose Midnight Caller

Saturday

Network8:00 p.m.8:30 p.m.9:00 p.m.9:30 p.m.10:00 p.m.10:30 p.m.
ABCFallMr. BelvedereLiving DollsThe ABC Saturday Mystery Movie
WinterMission: Impossible
SpringH.E.L.P.
Late springSunset Beat
Early summerElvisGrowing Pains
SummerSuper Jeopardy!Monopoly
Late summerChina BeachTwin Peaks
CBSFallParadiseTour of DutySaturday Night with Connie Chung
SummerBeauty and the BeastTour of Duty
FoxFallCOPSThe ReportersBeyond TomorrowLocal programming
WinterTotally Hidden VideoThe Reporters
SpringIn Living ColorThe Tracey Ullman Show
NBCFall227AmenThe Golden Girls Empty Nest Hunter
SpringALF
Mid-springA Family for Joe13 EastCarol and CompanyDown Home
Late spring13 EastAmen
Summer227Singer & SonsHunter

Note: Comic Strip Live aired at 11:00 p.m.-12:00 a.m. on Fox.

By network

ABC

Returning series
New series

Not returning from 1988–89:

CBS

Returning series
New series

Not returning from 1988–89:

Fox

Returning series
New series

Not returning from 1988–89:

NBC

Returning series
New series

Not returning from 1988–89:

Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.

+ These shows returned as "backup" programming in midseason

Notes and References

  1. Highest-rated series is based on the annual top-rated programs list compiled by Nielsen Media Research and reported in: Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007). The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine. .