1971–72 United States network television schedule (late night)

These are the late-night schedules for the three television networks during the 1971–72 season. All times are Eastern and Pacific.

PBS is not included, as member television stations had local flexibility over most of their schedules, and broadcast times for network shows might have varied. ABC and CBS are not included on the weekend schedules because those networks did not offer late-night programs of any kind on the weekend.

Talk/Variety shows are highlighted in yellow, Local News & Programs are highlighted in white.

Monday-Friday

-		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
ABC		Local programming	The Dick Cavett Show			Local programming or sign-off
CBS	Fall	local programming	The Merv Griffin Show			Local programming or sign-off
	February		The CBS Late Movie (from 2/14)				Local programming or sign-off
NBC		local programming	The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson			local programming or sign-off

Saturday/Sunday

-	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	local programming	The Weekend Tonight Show			local programming or sign-off

By network

ABC

Returning Series

• The Dick Cavett Show

CBS

Returning Series

• The Merv Griffin Show

New Series

• The CBS Late Movie

NBC

Returning Series

• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson
• The Weekend Tonight Show