The following is the1965–66 network television schedule for the three major English language commercialbroadcast networks in the United States. The schedule coversprimetime hours from September 1965 through August 1966. The schedule is followed by alist per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the1964–65 season.

During this season, ABC and CBS initiated the broadcast of a predominant portion of their prime-time programming in color, while nearly all of NBC's autumn lineup was presented in color, except for the war dramaConvoy and the fantasy sitcomI Dream of Jeannie. The former was terminated after 13 episodes, whereas the latter transitioned to color in the subsequent season. With the majority of prime-time content being produced in color, the scheduling for this season denoted the residual black-and-white programming with a "(B/W)" designation.

New series are highlighted inbold.

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

  Yellow indicates the programs in the top 10 for the season.

  Cyan indicates the programs in the top 20 for the season.

  Magenta indicates the programs in the top 30 for the season.

Note: On ABC,Preview Tonight was a summeranthology series made up entirely of unsoldtelevision pilots.

Notes: On ABC,The Avengers replacedBen Casey in March. On CBS,Art Linkletter's Hollywood Talent Scouts replacedThe Steve Lawrence Show in December.Vacation Playhouse was a CBS summeranthology series made up entirely of unsoldtelevision pilots.

* formerlyBurke's Law

Notes:The Farmer's Daughter took over the 9:30–10 time period on ABC, effective November 5, because many viewers were not home to watchPeyton Place on Fridays. Starting November 1,Peyton Place was seen Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. In the winter of 1966,The Sammy Davis Jr. Show, which was transmitted live in color, replacedConvoy in its timeslot on NBC.Summer Fun was an ABC summeranthology series made up entirely of unsoldtelevision pilots.

Note: Even thoughABC Scope was scheduled at 10:30 PM, not one major station (includingWABC-TV New York, the network's flagship station) carried it in that time period, preferring to schedule local or syndicated programming in its place. Most affiliates aired it in "fringe time" during the weekend.

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

• Castleman, H. & Podrazik, W. (1982).Watching TV: Four Decades of American Television. New York: McGraw-Hill. 314 pp.
• McNeil, Alex.Total Television. Fourth edition. New York: Penguin Books.ISBN 0-14-024916-8.
• Brooks, Tim & Marsh, Earle (2007).The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows (9th ed.). New York: Ballantine.ISBN 978-0-345-49773-4.

• United States primetime network television schedules
• 1965 in American television
• 1966 in American television

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