The following is the1971–72 network television schedule for the three major English language commercialbroadcast networks in the United States. The schedule coversprimetime hours from September 1971 through August 1972. The schedule is followed by alist per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the1970–71 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such asMonday Night Football.

This season saw a drastic change in scheduling, as thePrime Time Access Rule was enacted, limiting networks to provide not more than 21 hours of primetime programming a week, also giving the Sunday night 7:00-7:30pm slot and the 7:30-8:00pm slot on Mondays and Wednesdays through Saturdays back to local affiliates.

New fall series are highlighted inbold.

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

ThePublic Broadcasting Service was in operation, but the schedule was set by each local station.

Note:60 Minutes aired at 6:00-7:00 pm on CBS from January to June 1972.

Note: TheNBC 1972 summer seriesPonderosa consisted of reruns ofBonanza episodes from the 1967-1970 period. More recent reruns ofBonanza also aired that summer under the show's original name in its regular Sunday evening time slot.NBC Action Playhouse consisted of reruns fromBob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, with new introductions byPeter Marshall.

Note: The ABC 1972 summer seriesABC Comedy Hour Presents the Kopykats consisted of reruns ofABC Comedy Hour from earlier in the year.

Note:My World and Welcome to It consisted of reruns of NBC's 1969-70 sitcom.

* formerlyFirst Tuesday^[2]

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 (1985).The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network TV Shows (3rd ed.). New York: Ballantine.ISBN 0-345-31864-1.

• United States primetime network television schedules
• 1971 in American television
• 1972 in American television

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