1970 in television

See also: 1969 in television, other events of 1970, 1971 in television and the list of 'years in television'.

For the American network television schedule, please see 1970–71 American network television schedule.

Events

• September 1 – The last episode of the television sitcom I Dream of Jeannie airs on NBC. The show premiered on September 18, 1965.
• In a cliffhanger on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow, businessman Sam Reynolds is believed to be dead after he perished in Africa. One of the first "exotic" deaths for a soap opera character, it was in tune with actor Robert Mandan's wish to leave the show.
• Minnie Pearl makes her first appearance on Hee Haw.

Debuts

• January 5 – Soap opera All My Children premieres (1970-present).
• February 17 – McCloud pilot airs on NBC (1970-1977). The series becomes a regular show the following fall as part of Four in One.
• September 12 – Josie and the Pussycats premieres (1970-1971).
• September 21 – Monday Night Football premieres (1970-present).
• Doomwatch debuts on BBC1 (1970-1972).
• The Flip Wilson Show premieres (1970-1974).
• Mary Tyler Moore premieres (1970–1977).
• The Odd Couple premieres (1970-1975).
• The Partridge Family premieres (1970–1974).
• Play for Today supercedes The Wednesday Play on BBC1. The anthology drama series lasts until 1984.
• UFO debuts on British television (1970–1971).

Television shows

• Meet the Press (1947-present).
• Candid Camera (1948-present).
• The Ed Sullivan Show (1948–1971).
• Come Dancing (UK) (1949-1995).
• Truth or Consequences (1950-1988).
• Love of Life (1951-1980).
• Search for Tomorrow (1951-1986).
• American Bandstand (1952-1989).
• The Guiding Light (1952-present).
• The Today Show (1952-present).
• Panorama (UK) (1953-present).
• The Good Old Days (UK) (1953-1983).
• Face the Nation (1954-present).
• The Secret Storm (1954–1974).
• The Tonight Show (1954-present).
• Captain Kangaroo (1955-1984).
• Dixon of Dock Green (UK) (1955-1976).
• Gunsmoke (1955-1975).
• The Lawrence Welk Show (1955-1982).
• This Is Your Life (UK) (1955-2003).
• As the World Turns (1956-present).
• Opportunity Knocks (UK) (1956-1978).
• The Edge of Night (1956–1984).
• What the Papers Say (UK) (1956-present).
• The Sky at Night (UK) (1957-present).
• Blue Peter (UK) (1958-present).
• Grandstand (UK) (1958-present).
• Bonanza (1959-1973).
• Coronation Street (1960-present).
• My Three Sons (1960–1972).
• Four Corners (Australia) (1961-present).
• The Mike Douglas Show (1961-1981).
• The Beverly Hillbillies (1962-1971).
• The Late Late Show (Ireland) (1962-present).
• Z-Cars (UK) (1962–1978).
• Doctor Who (UK) (1963-1989, 1996, 2005-present).
• General Hospital (1963-present).
• The Doctors (1963–1982).
• Another World (1964-1999).
• Bewitched (1964–1972).
• Crossroads (UK) (1964–1988, 2001-2003).
• Jeopardy! (1964–1975, 1984-present).
• Top of the Pops (UK) (1964-present).
• Days of Our Lives (1965-present).
• Green Acres (1965–1971).
• Hogan's Heroes (1965–1971).
• The Dean Martin Show (1965–1974).
• Tom and Jerry (1965–1972, 1975–1977, 1980–1982).
• World of Sport (1965-1985).
• Dark Shadows (1966-1971).
• Family Affair (1966–1971).
• Play School (1966-present).
• That Girl (1966–1971).
• The Money Programme (UK) (1966-present).
• The Newlywed Game (1966–1974).
• Ironside (1967-1975).
• Love Is a Many Splendored Thing (1967–1973).
• Mannix (1967–1975).
• The Carol Burnett Show (1967–1978).
• 60 Minutes (1968-present).
• Dad's Army (UK) (1968–1977)
• Hawaii Five-O (1968–1980).
• Here's Lucy (1968–1974).
• Julia (1968–1971).
• Laugh-In (1968–1973).
• Magpie (UK) (1968–1980).
• Mayberry R.F.D. (1968–1971).
• One Life to Live (1968-present).
• The Doris Day Show (1968–1973).
• The Mod Squad (1968–1973).
• Bright Promise (1969-1972).
• Hee Haw (1969-1993).
• Love, American Style (1969–1974).
• Marcus Welby, M.D. (1969–1976).
• Monty Python's Flying Circus (UK) (1969–1974).
• Room 222 (1969–1974).
• Sesame Street (1969-present).
• The Benny Hill Show (UK) (1969–1989).
• The Brady Bunch (1969–1974).
• The Clangers (UK) (1969–1972).
• The Johnny Cash Show (1969–1971).
• The Wonderful World of Disney (1969-1979).
• Where the Heart Is (1969–1973).

Ending this year

• September – Here Come the Brides (1968–1970).
• The Honeymooners (1952–1970).
• Petticoat Junction (1963–1970).
• Daniel Boone (1964–1970).
• Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. (1964–1970).
• The Wednesday Play (UK) (1964–1970).
• Get Smart (1965–1970).
• I Dream of Jeannie (1965–1970).
• The Flying Nun (1967–1970).

Births

• April 13 – Rick Schroder, actor.
• February 25 – Julie Hesmondhaigh, actress.
• August 23 – Jay Mohr, actor, comedian.
• October 2 – Kelly Ripa, actress, television host.
• November 23 – Zoe Ball, television presenter.

Deaths

• April 23 – Herb Shriner, actor.