The following is the1981–82 network television schedule for the three major English language commercialbroadcast networks in the United States. The schedule coversprimetime hours from September 1981 through August 1982. The schedule is followed by alist per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the1980–81 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such asMonday Night Football.

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: AWriters Guild of Americastrike hindered the ability to start airing shows in a timely manner. The shows in the schedule were the first to air new episodes in their respective time periods as they premiered between September and early December. The debut month for each new series that had been intended for a fall premiere is noted as to when it actually appeared.

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

Note : On NBC,The Powers of Matthew Star was supposed to have aired 7-8 p.m., starting December 6, but production difficulties forced its delay into the next season.

Note: On ABC,Joanie Loves Chachi premiered March 23, 1982, at 8:30 pm, in place ofLaverne & Shirley. On CBS,Q.E.D. ran for 6 weeks at 8pm, from March 23 to April 27.^[2]

NOTE: The only episode of the sitcomCass Malloy aired onCBS from 8:30 to 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time on July 21, 1982. Although not picked up as a regular series, it served as thepilot for the 1987–1989syndicated sitcomShe's the Sheriff.

Note: On CBS,Nurse aired at 9-10 p.m. andKnots Landing at 10-11 p.m., both in September and October. On ABC,Bosom Buddies aired at 9-9:30 p.m. in October.

(*) Also known asIt's a Living.

Note: On ABC,Maggie was replaced byOpen All Night, effective November 28;King's Crossing, which was supposed to have aired 8-9 p.m., was delayed until January, 1982, as an indirect result of theWriters Guild of America strike. On NBC,The Devlin Connection was supposed to have aired at 10:00 p.m., but Rock Hudson's heart surgery forced the delay into next season.^[3]

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

• United States primetime network television schedules
• 1981 in American television
• 1982 in American television

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