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The year 1986 in television involved some significant events. Below is a list of television-related events in 1986.

For the American network television schedule, please see 1986-87 American network television schedule.

Events

• January 4 – Televised football returns to British television after being briefly banned the previous year.
• January 6 – A Vicks Formula 44 cough medicine ad premieres, starring Peter Bergman from All My Children, in which he told the viewing audience "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." This phrase, first used in the early 1970s by Robert Young of Marcus Welby, M.D. fame, was subsequently parodied in many pop culture references.
• January 28 – NASA's Space Shuttle Challenger spacecraft disintegrates live on CNN.
• 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. Zappa portrays a crime boss named "Mr. Frankie".
• February 22 – In honor of the 20th anniversary of The Monkees premiering on television, MTV broadcasts "Pleasant Valley Sunday," a 22-hour marathon of Monkees episodes.
• February – On the soap opera Search for Tomorrow, the entire town of Henderson is washed away in a flood. Lead character Joanne Tourneur's (Mary Stuart) motel is the only structure in town left standing.
• March 10 – The first advert for a sanitary towel is broadcast on British television, on Channel 4.
• Spring – after four seasons, NBC cancels Remington Steele. This announcement results in series star Pierce Brosnan being named the newest actor to play James Bond. As a result of the media frenzy surrounding Brosnan's appointment, as well as the corresponding upswing in Steele's ratings, NBC reverses its decision and announces Steele will return midway through the 1986–87 season. This results in the Bond film producers withdrawing their offer to Brosnan, though he would reacquire the 007 role in 1995.
• April 27 – A man calling himself Captain Midnight jams HBO's signal to protest its monthly fee of $12.95.
• May 10 – Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe marries actress Heather Locklear.
• May 12 – NBC unveils its new Peacock logo.
• May 16 – Bobby Ewing is revealed to be alive and showering in his ex-wife Pam's bathroom in the season finale of Dallas; in the September 26 season premiere, it was shown that the entire 1985–86 season was a dream of hers the night after they agreed to remarry.
• May 22 – Cher calls David Letterman an "asshole" on the air during a taping of Late Night with David Letterman.
• June 18 – In the British soap opera Coronation Street the Rovers Return pub was gutted by fire with landlady Bet Lynch (Julie Goodyear) trapped inside.
• June – The Yorkshire Television ITV region becomes the first UK terrestrial channel to broadcast 24 hours a day, initially simulcasting the cable and satellite music video channel Music Box throughout the night. The other ITV regions gradually switch to 24 hour television over the next two years.
• July 18 – A tornado is broadcast live on KARE TV in Minneapolis when the station's helicopter pilot makes a chance encounter.
• September 1 – For one week, CBS Evening 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 The Trial of a Time Lord is broadcast on BBC1, marking the return to air of Doctor Who after an 18-month hiatus.
• September 8 – Oprah Winfrey goes national.
• September 27 – On The Facts of Life, Charlotte Rae leaves the role of Mrs. Garrett (who marries her old friend Bruce Gaines, played by Robert Mandan) and is replaced by Cloris Leachman, who played Beverly Ann Stickle, Mrs. Garrett's sister.
• October 9 – The Fox Broadcasting Company becomes the United States' fourth commercial broadcast television network.
• December 23 – Ringo Starr narrates his last ever Thomas the Tank Engine and Friends episode, the second series finale, Thomas & the Missing Christmas Tree
• December 24 – The Rainbow 30 minute Christmas special The Colours of the Rainbow which was broadcast on Christmas Eve was the highest ever rating episode of the show, although it was thought Rainbow may end after this episode – it certainly seemed very final. However, Thames Television renewed the contract after fantastic ratings.
• December 25 – 30.15 million tune in to watch "Dirty" Dennis Watts hand wife Angie her divorce papers in EastEnders, making it the highest rated episode of any soap in British television history.
• 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.
• Rod Roddy becomes the permanent announcer on the long-running CBS daytime game show The Price is Right.
• Merv Griffin sells his company, Merv Griffin Enterprises to The Coca-Cola Company for $250,000,000.
• Disney Channel began premium cable network 24 hours a day.
• Dana Carvey, Phil Hartman and Kevin Nealon join Saturday Night Live.
• Helen Martin joins the cast of 227, after appearing every episode in the 1985–86 season, replacing Kia Goodwin, who was dropped from the cast after the first season, who portrayed Rose's (Alaina Reed) daughter, Tiffany, before written off the show initially in 1988.

Debuts

• January 6 – the revival of Card Sharks premieres on CBS with host Bob Eubanks, replacing Body Language (1986–1989).
• January 12 – Catchphrase premieres on ITV in the UK (1986–2002).
• February 2 –
  • The Disney Sunday Movie (1986–1988) (revival of 1954–1983 series).
  • You Again? premieres on NBC (1986–1987)
• February 26 – Dragon Ball premieres on Fuji TV in Japan.
• March 1 –
  • The Hogan Family premieres on NBC (1986–1991).
  • Choushinsei Flashman premieres on TV Asahi (1986–1987)
• March 25 – Perfect Strangers premieres on ABC (1986–1993).
• April 3 – The Raggy Dolls premieres on ITV (1986–1994).
• April 11 – The Chart Show premieres on Channel 4 (1986–1998).
• April 25 – Comic Relief (UK) premieres on BBC One (1986— ).
• May 1 – Bread premieres on BBC One (1986–1991).
• May 3 – Get Fresh premieres on ITV (1986–1988).
• May / June – The Canned Film Festival debuts in national syndication.
• September 6 –
  • Casualty (UK) premieres on BBC One (1986— ).
  • WWF Superstars of Wrestling debuts on syndication (1986–2001).
  • The Flintstone Kids premieres on ABC (1986–1988).
• September 8 –
  • A.M. Chicago changes its name to The Oprah Winfrey Show and premieres on national television (1986— ).
  • The syndicated version of Card Sharks premieres with host Bill Rafferty (1986–1987).
  • Ghostbusters premieres in syndication (1986).
• September 13 –
  • Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986–1991) on CBS.
  • The Real Ghostbusters (1986–1991) on ABC.
• September 15 – The first true revival of The Hollywood Squares (1986–1989) premieres with host John Davidson.
• September 18 – L.A. Law premieres on Must See TV (1986–1994).
• September 19 – Starman (1986–1987)
• September 22 –
  • ALF (1986–1990) on NBC.
  • Zoobilee Zoo (1986–87) premieres in syndication.
  • Dennis the Menace premieres in syndication (1986–1988).
• September 23 –
  • Matlock (1986–1996) on NBC.
  • Sledge Hammer! (1986–1988) on ABC.
• September 27 – Amen (1986–1991) on NBC.
• September 28 – WWF Wrestling Challenge debuts on syndication (1986–1996).
• September 29 – Designing Women (1986–1993) on CBS.
• October 6 – Double Dare (1986–1993) on Nickelodeon.
• October 13 – The Clothes Show premieres on BBC One (1986–present).
• November 22 – Beadle's About premieres on ITV (1986–1996).
• December 7 – London's Burning premieres on ITV (1986–2002).

Miniseries

• The Singing Detective (UK) (November 16 – December 21) on BBC One
• The Life and Loves of She-Devil
• Lost Empires
• The Great Bookie Robbery
• Shout, Story Of Johnny O'Keefe
• Cyclone Tracy
• Alice To Nowhere
• Robbery Under Arms
• A Fortunate Life
• The Challenge
• Sword Of Honour
• Lancaster-Miller Affair
• Dream West
• The Last Frontier
• North and South: Book II
• Sins

Television shows

1940s

• Meet the Press (1947—present)
• Candid Camera (1948— )
• Truth or Consequences (1950–1988)
• Come Dancing (UK) (1949–1995)

1950s

• Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951–present)
• American Bandstand (1952–1989)
• Guiding Light (1952–present)
• Hockey Night in Canada (1952–present)
• The Today Show (1952–)
• Panorama (UK) (1953–)
• Face the Nation (1954–present)
• This Is Your Life (UK) (1955–2003)
• As the World Turns (1956–present)
• The Edge of Night (1956–1975, CBS; 1975–1984, ABC)
• What the Papers Say (UK) (1956–present)
• The Sky at Night (UK) (1957–present)
• Blue Peter (UK) (1958–present)
• Grandstand (UK) (1958–2007)

1960s

• Coronation Street (UK) (1960— )
• Four Corners (Australia) (1961— )
• It's Academic (1961— )
• The Late Late Show (Ireland) (1962–present).
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
• Doctor Who (UK) (1963–1989, 1996, 2005— )
• General Hospital (1963–present)
• Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom (1963–1988, 2002–present)
• Another World (1964–1999)
• Crossroads (UK) (1964–1988, 2001–2003)
• Top of the Pops (UK) (1964–2006)
• Days of our Lives (1965—present)
• Play School (1966—present)
• The Money Programme (UK) (1966—present)
• 60 Minutes (1968— )
• One Life to Live (1968—present)
• Hee Haw (1969–1993)
• Sesame Street (1969—present)
• The Benny Hill Show (UK) (1969–1989)

1970s

• All My Children (1970—present)
• Monday Night Football (1970—present)
• Masterpiece Theatre (1971—present)
• Whistle Test (UK) (1971–1987)
• Soul Train (1971— )
• Emmerdale Farm (UK) (1972—present)
• John Craven's Newsround (UK) (1972—present)
• The Price Is Right (1972—present)
• Last of the Summer Wine (UK) (1973—present)
• The Young and the Restless (1973—present)
• Countdown (Australia) (1974–1987)
• Derrick (1974–1998)
• Wish You Were Here...? (UK) (1974— )
• Arena (UK) (1975—present)
• Good Morning America (1975—present)
• Jim'll Fix It (UK) (1975–1994)
• Ryan's Hope (1975–1989)
• Saturday Night Live (1975—present)
• the fifth estate (Canada) (1975—present)
• Wheel of Fortune (1975—present)
• The P.T.L. Club (1976–1987)
• 20/20 (1978— )
• 3-2-1 (UK) (1978–1987)
• Dallas (1978–1991)
• Grange Hill (UK) (1978—2008)
• Knots Landing (1979–1993)
• The Facts of Life (1979–1988)
• You Can't Do That on Television (Canada) (1979–1990)
• Antiques Roadshow (UK) (1979— )
• Nightline (1979—present)
• This Old House (1979—present)

1980s

• Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
• Nightline (US version) (1980–present)
• Solid Gold (1980–1988)
• Dynasty (1981–1989)
• Entertainment Tonight (1981—present)
• Falcon Crest (1981–1990)
• Gimme a Break! (1981–1987)
• Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
• Simon & Simon (1981–1988)
• The Smurfs (1981–1990)
• Today's Special (Canada) (1981–1987)
• What Now (1982—present)
• Timewatch (UK) (1982—present)
• Cagney & Lacey (1982–1988)
• Capitol (1982–1987)
• Cheers (1982–1993)
• Fame (1982–1987)
• Family Ties (1982–1989)
• Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993)
• Newhart (1982–1990)
• Remington Steele (1982–1987)
• Silver Spoons (1982–1987)
• St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)
• The Journal (Canada) (1982–1992)
• Taggart, UK (1983–present)
• The A-Team (1983–1987)
• Fraggle Rock (1983–1988)
• Loving (1983–1995)
• Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983–1987)
• Webster (1983–1989)
• The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes (UK) (1984–1988, 1991–1994)
• Highway to Heaven (1984–1989)
• Jeopardy! (1964–1975, 1984—present)
• Kate and Allie (1984–1989)
• Miami Vice (1984–1989)
• Mother and Son (Australia) (1984–1994)
• Muppet Babies (1984–1991)
• Murder, She Wrote (1984–1996)
• Night Court (1984–1992)
• Punky Brewster (1984–1988)
• Santa Barbara (1984–1993)
• Tales from the Darkside (1984–1988)
• The Bill (UK) (1984— )
• The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
• Who's the Boss? (1984–1992)
• 227 (1985–1990)
• EastEnders (UK) (1985— )
• Growing Pains (1985–1992)
• It's a Living (1980–1982, 1985–1989)
• MacGyver (1985–1992)
• Moonlighting (1985–1989)
• Mr. Belvedere (1985–1990)
• Neighbours (Australia) (1985—present)
• Only Fools and Horses (UK) (1981–1983, 1985–1993, 1996–1997, 2001–2003)
• Sally (1985–2002)
• T-Bag Strikes Again (There were various T-Bag series between 1985 and 1992)
• The Golden Girls (1985–1992)
• The Gummi Bears (1985–1991)
• The Twilight Zone (1959–1964, 1985–1988, 2002)
• What's Happening Now!! (1985–1988)

Returning in 1986

• Mama's Family (1983–1984, 1986–1990)
• Hollywood Squares (1966–1981, 1986–1989, 1998–2004)

Ending this year

• March 7 – Diff'rent Strokes (1978–1986)
• April 15 – Bananaman (1983–1986)
• April 19 – Benson (1979–1986)
• April 22 – Cockleshell Bay (1980–1986)
• May 2 – The Fall Guy (1981–1986)
• May 28 – T.J. Hooker (1982–1986)
• June 6 – The Merv Griffin Show (1972–1986)
• June 18 – Bertha (1985–1985)
• August 8 – Knight Rider (1982–1986)
• August 22 – Riptide (1983–1986)
• September 4 – Trapper John, M.D. (1979–1986)
• September 5 – The Love Boat (1977–1986)
• September 26 – Press Your Luck (1983–1986)
• December 5 – Ghostbusters premieres in syndication (1986)
• December 16 – Prisoner: Cell Block H ennds run on Network 10, Australia
• December 26 – Search for Tomorrow airs its final episode after 35 years on the air (1951–1986)
• Schoolhouse Rock! (1973–1986)
• The Canned Film Festival
• The All-New Let's Make a Deal (1984–1986)

Changes of network affiliation

• Silver Spoons moves from NBC to first-run syndication.
• The Wuzzles moves from CBS to ABC.
• Catchword moves from BBC One to BBC Two.

Births

• April 2 – Christopher Walberg, voice actor ("Stinky Peterson" from Nickelodeon's Hey Arnold! in 1996)
• April 3 – Amanda Bynes, actress
• May 17 – Tahj Mowry, actor
• June 11 – Shia LaBeouf, actor
• June 27 – Drake Bell, actor
• July 2 – Lindsay Lohan, actress
• September 16 – Kyla Pratt, actress
• November 10 – Josh Peck, actor
• November 18 – Joseph Ashton, voice actor ("Otto Rocket" from Nickelodeon's 1999 cartoon series Rocket Power)

Deaths

• January 14 – Donna Reed, 64, actress (The Donna Reed Show, Dallas)
• January 24 – Gordon MacRae, 64, actor, singer
• May 28 – Don MacLaughlin, 78, longtime actor as Chris Hughes on As the World Turns
• June 14 – Marlin Perkins, 81, zoologist and longtime host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom
• July 15 – Florence Halop, 63, actress (Mrs. Hufnagel on St. Elsewhere and Florence on Night Court)
• August 26 – Ted Knight, 62, actor (Ted Baxter on The Mary Tyler Moore Show and Henry on Too Close for Comfort)
• September 18 – Patricia Phoenix, 62, actress (Elsie Tanner in Coronation Street)
• November 2 – Paul Frees, 66, voice actor (Boris Badenov on The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show; Ludwig von Drake on The Wonderful World of Disney and The 1st voice over for The Pillsbury Doughboy)
• December 2 – Desi Arnaz, 69, actor, musician (Ricky Ricardo on I Love Lucy)