The following is the 1970âÂÂ71 network television schedule for the three major English language commercial broadcast networks in the United States. The schedule covers primetime hours from September 1970 through August 1971. The schedule is followed by a list per network of returning series, new series, and series cancelled after the 1969âÂÂ70 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as Monday Night Football.
This was the first time that the top rated show of the season aired on ABC.
New fall series are highlighted in bold.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, was in operation by October 1970; however, schedules were set by each affiliated station.
In April 1970, Congress passed a law banning the advertising of cigarettes on television and radio, effective January 2, 1971.
This season would be the last one for the traditional 3ý-hour prime time schedule.
NOTE: On CBS, Comedy Playhouse was an anthology series composed of unsold television pilots.
Note: NBC Comedy Theater featured repeats of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, with new introductions by Jack Kelly.
Notes: Love on a Rooftop consisted of reruns of the series, which originally aired during the 1966-1967 season. The Men from Shiloh formerly was entitled The Virginian.
Notes: The Dean Martin Summer Show Starring Your Host Vic Damone consisted entirely of reruns of the show of the same name from the summer of 1967. NBC Action Playhouse featured repeats of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre, with new introductions by Peter Marshall.
Returning Series
New Series
Not returning from 1969âÂÂ70:
Returning Series
New Series
Not returning from 1969âÂÂ70:
Returning Series
New Series
Not returning from 1969âÂÂ70:
Note: The * indicates that the program was introduced in midseason.