title: 1988–89 United States network television schedule (late night)
text: # 1988–89 United States network television schedule (late night)
  
  These are the late night schedules for the four United States broadcast networks that offer programming during this time period, from September 1988 to August 1989. All times are Eastern or Pacific. Affiliates will fill non-network schedule with local, syndicated, or paid programming. Affiliates also have the option to preempt or delay network programming at their discretion.
  
  ## Legend
  
  * Light blue indicates Local programming.
  * Gray indicates encore programming.
  * Yellow indicates late night talk or variety shows.
  * Gold indicates network news programming.
  
  ## Schedule
  
  | Network | Network | 11:00 pm | 11:30 pm | 12:00 am | 12:30 am | 1:00 am | 1:30/1:35 am | 2:00 am | 2:30 am | 3:00 am | 3:30 am | 4:00 am | 4:30 am | 5:00 am | 5:30 am |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | ABC | ABC | Local Programming | Nightline | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming |
  | CBS | Fall | Local Programming | CBS Late Night | CBS Late Night | CBS Late Night | CBS Late Night | Local Programming | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch |
  | CBS | Winter | Local Programming | The Pat Sajak Show | The Pat Sajak Show | The Pat Sajak Show | Local Programming | Local Programming | | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch | CBS News Nightwatch |
  | NBC | NBC | Local Programming | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson | Late Night with David Letterman | Late Night with David Letterman | Later With Bob Costas (Mon-Thu, 1:35) Friday Night Videos (Fri, 1:30-2:30) | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming |
  
  ### Saturday
  
  | Network | Network | 11:00 pm | 11:30 pm | 12:00 am | 12:30 am | 1:00 am | 1:30 am | 2:00 am | 2:30 am | 3:00 am | 3:30 am | 4:00 am | 4:30 am | 5:00 am | 5:30 am |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | NBC | NBC | Local Programming | Saturday Night Live | Saturday Night Live | Saturday Night Live | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming |
  | FOX | August | Comic Strip Live | Comic Strip Live | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming |
  
  ### Sunday
  
  | Network | Network | 11:00 pm | 11:30 pm | 12:00 am | 12:30 am | 1:00 am | 1:30 am | 2:00 am | 2:30 am | 3:00 am | 3:30 am | 4:00 am | 4:30 am | 5:00 am | 5:30 am |
  | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - | - |
  | NBC | NBC | Local Programming | The George Michael Sports Machine | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming | Local Programming |
  