This was the television schedule on all three networks for the fall season beginning in September 1962.
Contents
Television historians Harry Castleman and Walter Podrazik (1982) state, "Despite all the promises of programming reform made by television executives in May, 1961, the 1962–63 schedule turned out to be business as usual". Castleman and Podrazik point out that although the three networks had added generally well-made public-affairs and news programs to their schedules, there were "too many of them and their sheer number diluted the audience and stretched resources far too thin to allow quality productions each week". CBS aired CBS Reports and Eyewitness, NBC broadcast Chet Huntley Reporting and David Brinkley's Journal, while ABC had Bell and Howell Close-up and the Howard K. Smith show.
New fall series are highlighted in bold. All times are Eastern and Pacific.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
Yellow indicates the programs in the top 10 for the season. Cyan indicates the programs in the top 20 for the season. Magenta indicates the programs in the top 30 for the season.Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Note: The CBS series Marshal Dillon consisted of reruns of episodes of Gunsmoke.
Saturday
(*) AKA The Jackie Gleason Show