1986 in television

See also: 1985 in television, other events of 1986, 1987 in television and the list of 'years in television'.

For the American network television schedule, please see 1986–87 American network television schedule.

Events

• January 28 – NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger spacecraft explodes, live on television.
• January – A Vicks Formula 44 ad premieres, starring Peter Bergman from All My Children, in which he told the viewing audience "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." This phrase, first used in the early 1970s by Robert Young of Marcus Welby, M.D. fame, was subsequently parodied in many pop culture references.
• February 11 – Culture Club lead singer Boy George appears on an episode of The A-Team.
• February 14 – Frank Zappa appears on an episode of the popular television series Miami Vice. Zappa portrays a crime boss named "Mr. Frankie".
• February 22 – In honor of the 20th anniversary of The Monkees premiering on television, MTV broadcasts "Pleasant Valley Sunday," a 22-hour marathon of Monkees episodes.
• February 26 – Dragon Ball premieres on Fuji TV.
• February – On the soap opera Search for Tomorrow, the entire town of Henderson is washed away in a flood. Lead character Joanne Tourneur's (Mary Stuart) motel is the only structure in town left standing.
• May 8 – NBC unveils its new Peacock logo.
• May 10 – Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe marries actress Heather Locklear.
• May 22 – Cher calls David Letterman an "asshole" on the air during a taping of Late Night with David Letterman.
• June 18 – The original Rovers' Return sets are set ablaze on the British soap opera Coronation Street; in the story, the pub was gutted with owner Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) inside, sleeping.
• July 18 – A tornado is broadcast live on KARE TV in Minnesota when the station's helicopter pilot makes a chance encounter.
• September 2 – For one week, CBS News anchor Dan Rather attempts to initiate the use of the word "Courage" as a slogan. The attempt is a failure, and is noticed by other members of the press.
• September 6 – Part One of Trial of a Time Lord is broadcast on BBC1, marking the return to air of Doctor Who after an 18-month hiatus.
• September 26 – The 10th season premiere of Dallas finds Bobby Ewing alive, well, and having showered, and the events of the past year (including his death) apparently being a dream of his ex-wife Pamela's.
• October – The Fox Broadcasting Company becomes the United States' fourth commercial broadcast television network.
• December 25 – Millions tune in to watch "Dirty" Dennis Watts hand wife Angie her divorce papers in EastEnders.
• ABC becomes the second American station to discontinue use of chime intonations at the beginning of telecasts, as the network moves to satellite feed activation.
• On The Facts of Life, Charlotte Rae leaves the role of Mrs. Garrett and is replaced by Cloris Leachman, who played Beverly Ann Stickle, Mrs. Garrett's sister.

Debuts

• January – Hey Dad...! premieres in Australia (1986-1994).
• February 2 – The Disney Sunday Movie (1986-1988) (revival of 1954-1983 series).
• March 25 – Perfect Strangers premieres on ABC (1986-1993).
• September 8 – A.M. Chicago changes its name to The Oprah Winfrey Show and premieres on national television (1986-present).
• September 15 – L.A. Law premieres on NBC (1986–1994).
• September 22 – ALF (1986-1990) on NBC.
• September 23 – Matlock (1986-1995) on NBC.
• September 27 – Amen (1986-1991) on NBC.
• September 29 – Designing Women (1986–1993) on CBS.
• September – Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986–1991) on CBS.
• October 6 – Double Dare (1986–1993) on Nickelodeon.
• The Singing Detective (UK) (1986).
• Sledge Hammer! (1986–1988) on ABC

Television shows

• Meet the Press (1947-present).
• Candid Camera (1948-present).
• Truth or Consequences (1950-1988).
• Come Dancing (UK) (1949-1995).
• American Bandstand (1952-1989).
• Guiding Light (1952-present).
• The Today Show (1952-present).
• Panorama (UK) (1953-present).
• Face the Nation (1954-present).
• The Tonight Show (1954-present).
• This Is Your Life (UK) (1955-2003).
• As the World Turns (1956-present).
• What the Papers Say (UK) (1956-present).
• The Sky at Night (UK) (1957-present).
• Blue Peter (UK) (1958-present).
• Grandstand (UK) (1958-present).
• Coronation Street (UK) (1960-present).
• Four Corners (Australia) (1961-present).
• The Late Late Show (Ireland) (1962-present).
• Doctor Who (UK) (1963-1989, 1996, 2005-present).
• General Hospital (1963-present).
• Another World (1964-1999).
• Crossroads (UK) (1964–1988, 2001-2003).
• Top of the Pops (UK) (1964-present).
• Days of Our Lives (1965-present).
• Play School (1966-present).
• The Money Programme (UK) (1966-present).
• 60 Minutes (1968-present).
• One Life to Live (1968-present).
• Hee Haw (1969-1993).
• Sesame Street (1969-present).
• The Benny Hill Show (UK) (1969–1989).
• All My Children (1970-present).
• Monday Night Football (1970-present).
• Masterpiece Theatre (1971-present).
• Whistle Test (UK) (1971-1987).
• Soul Train (1971-present).
• Emmerdale Farm (UK) (1972-present).
• John Craven's Newsround (UK) (1972-present).
• The Price Is Right (1972-present).
• Last of the Summer Wine (UK) (1973-present).
• The Young and the Restless (1973-present).
• Countdown (Australia) (1974-1987).
• Derrick (1974-1998).
• Wish You Were Here...? (UK) (1974-present).
• Good Morning America (1975-present).
• Jim'll Fix It (UK) (1975–1994).
• Ryan's Hope (1975–1989).
• Saturday Night Live (1975-present).
• the fifth estate (Canada) (1975-present).
• Wheel of Fortune (1975-present).
• The P.T.L. Club (1976-1987).
• 20/20 (1978-present).
• 3–2–1 (UK) (1978–1987).
• Dallas (1978–1991).
• Grange Hill (UK) (1978-present).
• Knots Landing (1979-1993).
• The Facts of Life (1979–1988).
• You Can't Do That on Television (Canada) (1979–1990).
• Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988).
• Solid Gold (1980–1988).
• Dynasty (1981-1989).
• Entertainment Tonight (1981-present).
• Falcon Crest (1981–1990).
• Gimme a Break! (1981–1987).
• Hill Street Blues (1981–1987).
• Simon & Simon (1981–1988).
• Today's Special (Canada) (1981–1987).
• Cagney & Lacey (1982-1988).
• Capitol (1982–1987).
• Cheers (1982–1993).
• Fame (1982–1987).
• Family Ties (1982–1989).
• Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993).
• Newhart (1982–1990).
• Remington Steele (1982–1987).
• Silver Spoons (1982–1987).
• St. Elsewhere (1982–1988).
• The Journal (Canada) (1982-1992).
• Fraggle Rock (1983–1988).
• Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983–1987).
• The A-Team (1983–1987).
• Webster (1983–1989).
• Highway to Heaven (1984-1989).
• Jeopardy! (1964–1975, 1984-present).
• Kate and Allie (1984–1989).
• Miami Vice (1984–1989).
• Mother and Son (Australia) (1984–1994).
• Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996).
• Night Court (1984–1992).
• Punky Brewster (1984–1988).
• Santa Barbara (1984–1993).
• Tales from the Darkside (1984–1988).
• The Bill (UK) (1984-present).
• The Cosby Show (1984–1992).
• Who's the Boss? (1984–1992).
• 227 (1985-1990).
• EastEnders (UK) (1985-present).
• Growing Pains (1985–1992).
• It's a Living (1980–1982, 1985–1989).
• MacGyver (1985–1992).
• Moonlighting (1985–1989).
• Mr. Belvedere (1985–1990).
• Neighbours (Australia) (1985-present).
• Only Fools and Horses (UK) (1981–1983, 1985–1993, 1996-1997, 2001–2003).
• Sally (1985-2002).
• The Golden Girls (1985–1992).
• The Twilight Zone (1959-1964, 1985–1988, 2002).
• What's Happening Now!! (1985–1988).
• Loving (1983–1995).
• Mama's Family (1983–1984, 1986–1990) (returning in syndication after a two-year gap in production).

Ending this year

• December 26 – Search for Tomorrow airs its final episode after 35 years on the air (1951-1986).
• Schoolhouse Rock! (1973–1986).
• The Love Boat (1977-1986).
• Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986).
• Benson (1979–1986).
• Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986).
• Too Close for Comfort (1980–1986).
• The Fall Guy (1981–1986).
• Knight Rider (1982–1986).
• Press Your Luck (1983–1986).

Changes of network affiliation

• Silver Spoons moves from NBC to first-run syndication.

Births

• April 2 – Christopher Walberg, voice actor ("Stinky Peterson" from Hey Arnold!).
• April 3 – Amanda Bynes.
• June 13 – The Olsen twins.
• November 18 – Joseph Ashton, voice actor ("Otto Rocket" from Rocket Power).

Deaths

• January 14 – Donna Reed, actress.
• January 24 – Gordon MacRae, actor, singer.
• May 28 – Don MacLaughlin, longtime actor on As the World Turns.
• July 15 – Florence Halop, actress with roles on St. Elsewhere and Night Court.
• November 2 – Paul Frees, voice actor.
• December 2 – Desi Arnaz, actor, musician famous for his role on I Love Lucy.