1990–91 United States network television schedule

The 1990–91 network television schedule for the four major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States covers primetime hours from September 1990 through August 1991. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1989–90 season.

Beginning this season, Fox started their prime time expansion starting with Thursdays and Fridays.

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 Time 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]

Legend

  •   Light blue indicates local programming.
  •   Gray indicates encore programming.
  •   Blue-gray indicates news programming.
  •   Light green indicates sporting events.
  •   Light purple indicates movies.
  •   Red indicates series being burned off and other regularly scheduled programs, including specials.
  •   Yellow indicates the top-10 most watched programs of the season.
  •   Cyan indicates the top-20 most watched programs of the season.
  •   Magenta indicates the top-30 most watched programs of the season.

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.
ABCLife Goes OnAmerica's Funniest Home Videos (7/16.7)America's Funniest People (13/16.3)The ABC Sunday Night Movie
CBSFall60 Minutes (2/20.6)Murder, She Wrote (12/16.4)CBS Sunday Movie (19/15.0)
SummerAll in the Family (R)Sunday DinnerMurder, She Wrote (8/17.2)The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
FoxFallTrue ColorsParker Lewis Can't LoseIn Living ColorGet a LifeMarried... with ChildrenGood GriefAgainst the Law
Mid-fallComic Strip: Live
SpringTop of the HeapThe Sunday Comics
NBCFallHull HighLifestoriesNBC Sunday Night Movie
WinterSunday BestReal Life with Jane PauleyExpose
SpringThe 100 Lives of Black Jack SavageExposeReal Life with Jane Pauley

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.
ABCFallMacGyverMonday Night Football (10/16.8)
WinterThe ABC Monday Night Movie
CBSFallUncle BuckMajor Dad (21/14.9)Murphy Brown (6/16.9)Designing Women (7/17.5)The Trials of Rosie O'Neill
Mid-fallEvening Shade
SpringNorthern Exposure
SummerMajor Dad (21/14.9)The Family Man
FoxFox Night at the MoviesLocal programming
NBCFallThe Fresh Prince of Bel-AirFerris BuellerNBC Monday Night at the Movies
WinterBlossom

Note: On CBS, Face to Face with Connie Chung was to have aired 10-11 p.m., but it was replaced by The Trials of Rosie O'Neill at the last minute due to Connie Chung's personal health commitments.[2]

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? (19/15.0)Head of the Class (26/14.5)Roseanne (3/18.1)Coach (18/15.3)Thirtysomething
WinterDavis Rules (27/14.3)
SpringEddie Dodd
Follow-upBaby Talk (27/14.3)Who's the Boss? (19/15.0)StatThirtysomething
SummerWho's the Boss? (19/15.0)Head of the Class (26/14.5)Coach (18/15.3)
Mid-summerFull House (14/15.9)Who's the Boss? (19/15.0)
CBSRescue 911CBS Tuesday Night Movie
NBCFallMatlock (17/15.5)In the Heat of the Night (21/14.9)Law & Order
SpringShannon's Deal
SummerLaw & Order

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.
ABCFallThe Wonder Years (30/14.2)Growing Pains (27/14.3)Doogie Howser, M.D. (24/14.7)Married PeopleCop Rock
WinterEqual Justice
Mid-winterAnything but Love
SpringMy Life and TimesGabriel's Fire
Mid-springAnything but LoveAmerican Detective
SummerThe Man in the Family
Mid-summerDavis Rules (27/14.3)
Late summerDinosaursThe Wonder Years (R)Anything but LoveMarried People
CBSFallLennyDoctor DoctorJake and the FatmanWIOU
Late fall48 Hours
WinterNorthern Exposure
SummerThe Hogan FamilyThe Family Man48 Hours
Mid-summerPolice Squad! (R)Morton & HayesTop Cops
NBCFallUnsolved Mysteries (16/15.7)The Fanelli BoysDear JohnHunter
Mid-fallDear JohnThe Fanelli Boys
Late fallWorking It Out
WinterNight CourtSeinfeld
SpringDear JohnQuantum Leap

Note: Top Cops aired at 10:00 PM on CBS from July to October 1990. Police Squad! on CBS consisted of reruns of the 1982 ABC series.

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.
ABCFallFather Dowling MysteriesGabriel's FirePrimetime Live
SpringTwin Peaks
CBSFallTop CopsThe FlashDoctor DoctorKnots Landing (30/13.7)
(Tied with Rescue 911)
WinterGood Sports
Mid-winterTop CopsThe Flash
SpringThe Antagonists
SummerOver My Dead BodyBroken Badges
Late summerThe Trials of Rosie O'NeillGolden Years
FoxFallThe SimpsonsBabesBeverly Hills, 90210Local programming
SummerTrue Colors
NBCFallThe Cosby Show (5/17.1)A Different World (4/17.5)Cheers (1/21.3)Grand (25/14.6)L.A. Law (23/14.8)
WinterWings
SpringSeinfeld

On CBS, Sons and Daughters was supposed to premiere on October 25, 1990, while The Flash is supposed to start at 8:00-9:00 p.m., but the show was shelved.[3]

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 (14/15.9)Family Matters (15/15.8)Perfect StrangersGoing Places20/20
SpringBaby Talk
Mid-springDinosaursFamily Matters (15/15.8)Perfect Strangers
SummerFamily Matters (15/15.8)Perfect StrangersGoing Places
Mid-summerHi Honey, I'm Home!
Late summerFamily Matters (15/15.8)Growing Pains
CBSFallEvening ShadeBagdad CaféOver My Dead BodyDallas
Mid-fallUncle Buck
WinterGuns of ParadiseDallasSons and Daughters
SpringTrue Detectives
FoxFallAmerica's Most WantedDEALocal programming
Mid-fallAgainst the Law
SpringDEA
NBCFallQuantum LeapNight CourtWingsMidnight Caller
WinterDark Shadows
SpringHull HighHunterDark Shadows
Mid-springThe 100 Lives of Black Jack SavageMidnight 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.
ABCFallThe Young RidersChina BeachTwin Peaks
WinterUnder Cover
SpringThe ABC Saturday Night Movie
CBSFallThe Family ManThe Hogan FamilyE.A.R.T.H. Force48 Hours
Late fallNorthern Exposure (R)Broken BadgesWiseguy
Early winterYou Take the KidsLennyCBS Saturday Movie
WinterUncle Buck
SpringThe Flash
FoxFallTotally Hidden VideoHaywireCOPSAmerican ChroniclesLocal programming
WinterCOPS (R)
Mid-winterTotally Hidden Video
SpringYearbook
SummerCOPSCOPS (R)Totally Hidden VideoBabes (R)
NBCFallParenthoodWorking It OutThe Golden Girls (9/17.1)Empty Nest (7/16.7)Carol & CompanyAmerican Dreamer
WinterAmenThe Fanelli Boys
Mid-winterDear John
SpringDown Home
SummerAmerican DreamerSisters

By network

ABC

CBS

Fox

NBC

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

References