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

These are the late night schedules on all three networks for each calendar season beginning September 1971. All times are Eastern/Pacific.

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