These are the late-night schedules for all three networks for the 1965–66 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific.
By the start of the 1965–66 season, there were three late-night shows competing for viewers: The Tonight Show starring Johnny Carson on NBC, ABC's Nightlife with Les Crane, and The Merv Griffin Show on Westinghouse stations and some independent channels.
NET is not included, as member television stations had local flexibility over 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 programs of any kind on the weekend.
Talk/Variety shows are highlighted in yellow, Local News & Programs are highlighted in white.
Monday-Friday -11:00 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMABCFallLocalABC's Nightlife with Les CraneLocal programming or sign-offWinterLocal programming or sign-offCBSLocal programming or sign-offNBC11:15 PM: The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carsonlocal programming or sign-off
Saturday/Sunday -11:15 PM11:30 PM12:00 AM12:30 AM1:00 AM1:30 AM2:00 AM2:30 AM3:00 AM3:30 AM4:00 AM4:30 AM5:00 AM5:30 AMNBC11:15 PM: The Saturday Tonight Show/The Sunday Tonight Showlocal programming or sign-off
By network ABC
Returning Series ABC's Nightlife with Les Crane
Not returning from 1964-65 The Les Crane Show ABC's Nightlife
NBC
Returning Series The Saturday/Sunday Tonight Show The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
References