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 - 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).

Television shows

• Meet the Press (1947-present).
• Candid Camera (1948-present).
• Truth or Consequences (1950-1988).
• 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).
• 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.