1961–62 United States network television schedule (late night)

The late-night television schedule in the United States during the 1961-62 broadcast season consisted primarily of programming on the three major networks: ABC, CBS, and NBC. Late night generally refers to the programming block that airs after the evening news and prime-time entertainment, typically starting around 11:00 PM Eastern Time.

During this period, late night television was still evolving and not yet the fixture it would become in later decades. Johnny Carson would not take over The Tonight Show until later in 1962. Key programming included:

• NBC: The Tonight Show Starring Jack Paar continued its run, featuring a mix of celebrity interviews, musical performances, and comedy. The show was a major force in establishing the late-night talk show format.

• CBS: CBS largely relied on syndicated reruns of popular shows and late-night movies to fill its late-night schedule.

• ABC: ABC also relied heavily on syndicated programming and movies for its late-night slots.

Syndicated content varied across local stations but often included old movies, reruns of classic TV series (often Westerns or crime dramas), and locally produced programming. The availability of programming and scheduling varied widely across different markets, as local affiliate stations had considerable autonomy over their broadcast schedules. The landscape of late-night television in 1961-62 was characterized by a less structured and more diverse approach compared to the format that would become standardized in subsequent years.