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 1970s by Robert Young of Marcus Welby, M.D. 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 February 22 - In honor of the 20th anniversary of The Monkees MTV broadcasts "Pleasant Valley Sunday," a 22-hour marathon of Monkees episodes.
February 26 - Dragon Ball Fuji TV .
February - On the soap opera Search for Tomorrow 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 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 BBC1 , marking the return to air of Doctor Who September 26 - The 10th season premiere of Dallas 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
Television shows
Meet the Press 1947 -present).
Candid Camera 1948 -present).
Truth or Consequences 1950 -1988).
American Bandstand 1952 -1989 ).
Guiding Light The Today Show Panorama 1953 -present).
Face the Nation The Tonight Show This Is Your Life 1955 -2003 ).
As the World Turns 1956 -present).
What the Papers Say The Sky at Night 1957 -present).
Blue Peter 1958 -present).
Grandstand Coronation Street (UK) (1960 -present).
Four Corners 1961 -present).
The Late Late Show Ireland ) (1962 -present).
Doctor Who (UK) (1963 -1989, 1996 , 2005 -present).
General Hospital Another World 1964 -1999 ).
Crossroads 2001 -2003).
Top of the Pops Days of Our Lives 1965 -present).
Play School 1966 -present).
The Money Programme 60 Minutes 1968 -present).
One Life to Live Hee Haw 1969 -1993).
Sesame Street The Benny Hill Show All My Children (1970 -present).
Monday Night Football Masterpiece Theatre 1971 -present).
Whistle Test 1987 ).
Soul Train Emmerdale Farm 1972 -present).
John Craven's Newsround The Price Is Right Last of the Summer Wine 1973 -present).
The Young and the Restless Countdown 1974 -1987).
Derrick 1998 ).
Wish You Were Here...? Good Morning America 1975 -present).
Jim'll Fix It Ryan's Hope Saturday Night Live the fifth estate Canada ) (1975-present).
Wheel of Fortune The P.T.L. Club (1976 -1987).
20/20 1978 -present).
3-2-1 Dallas (1978-1991).
Grange Hill Knots Landing 1979 -1993).
The Facts of Life (1979-1988).
You Can't Do That on Television Magnum, P.I. 1980 -1988).
Solid Gold Dynasty 1981 -1989).
Entertainment Tonight Falcon Crest Gimme a Break! Hill Street Blues Simon & Simon (1981-1988).
Today's Special Cagney & Lacey 1982 -1988).
Cheers Fame (1982-1987).
Family Ties Late Night with David Letterman (1982-1993).
Newhart Remington Steele Silver Spoons St. Elsewhere The Journal 1992 ).
Fraggle Rock Scarecrow and Mrs. King The A-Team (1983-1987).
Webster Highway to Heaven 1984 -1989).
Jeopardy! 1984-present ).
Kate and Allie (1984-1989).
Miami Vice (1984-1989).
Mother and Son Murder, She Wrote Night Court Punky Brewster Santa Barbara Tales from the Darkside The Bill The Cosby Show Who's the Boss? 227 1985 -1990).
EastEnders (UK) (1985-present).
Growing Pains It's a Living 1985-1989 ).
MacGyver Moonlighting Mr. Belvedere Neighbours Only Fools and Horses 1985-1993 , 1996-1997 , 2001-2003).
Sally 2002 ).
The Golden Girls The Twilight Zone 1959 -1964, 1985-1988 , 2002).
What's Happening Now!! Loving Mama's Family 1986-1990 ) (returning in syndication after a two-year gap in production).
Ending this year
Changes of network affiliation
Silver Spoons moves from NBC to first-run syndication.
Births
Deaths
