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The year 1987 in television involved some significant events. Below is a list of television-related events in 1987.

For American TV schedule, see: 1987-88 United States network television schedule.

Events

• January 5 – Remington Steele returns to NBC after a six-month hiatus during which series star Pierce Brosnan won the film role of James Bond, only to lose it when NBC unexpectedly renewed the series. Steele adopts a TV-movie length format but only runs for a few installments before being cancelled for good.
• January 22 – R. Budd Dwyer shoots and kills himself at a televised press conference. The decision by some broadcasters to air the footage leads to a debate over boundaries in journalism.
• January–February – PBS broadcasts the critically-acclaimed Eyes on the Prize series.
• February 8 – February 15 – The miniseries Amerika, showing life ten years after the United States is defeated and occupied by the USSR, is broadcast on ABC.
• February 15 – The television movie event The Facts of Life Down Under airs on NBC.
• March 19 – Televangelist Jim Bakker is involved in a sex scandal, which causes him to step down as the host of The P.T.L. Club.
• April 5 – The Fox TV network makes its prime-time debut, marking the first time since 1955 that four networks filled the US prime-time television landscape.
• April 19 – Matt Groening's The Simpsons debuts as a series of short animated segments on The Tracey Ullman Show.
• May – The sitcom Mr. Belvedere is canceled after three seasons. Heavy backlash causes ABC executives to rethink the decision and bring the show back. Since the fall programming schedules were already written, Mr. Belvedere doesn't premiere until late October.
• May 15 – Pam Ewing's car speeds out of control, crashes into a tanker, and explodes on the season finale of Dallas.
• June 30 – July 31 – US daytime television is interrupted for the Iran-Contra hearings.
• July 15 – Genie Francis, of General Hospital fame, starts a new soap role as Diana Colville on Days of our Lives, which she will play until 1989.
• September 5 – Dick Clark's American Bandstand airs for the 2,751st and last time on ABC, after 30 years on the network. It lives on in syndication for 2 more years.
• September 7 – Sylvester McCoy becomes the seventh actor to play the Doctor in BBC One's long-running Doctor Who.
• September 11 – Dan Rather of the CBS Evening News stomps out of the newscast when a televised tennis match runs two minutes over. He is missing for six minutes.
• October 1 – Iceland introduces television on Thursdays for the first time.
• October 12 – Valerie Harper files a lawsuit against NBC and Lorimar for breach of contract after being fired from her sitcom Valerie.
• October 15 – Bob Barker, host of The Price Is Right, stops dyeing his hair brown and appears on-stage for the first time with white hair. He is given a minute-long standing ovation by the audience.
• November 4 – November 18 – Damon and Debbie becomes the first 'soap bubble'. It was a miniseries which took two characters from Brookside into new locations and their own story.
• November 13 – Sonny and Cher reunite for a performance on Late Night with David Letterman.
• November 22 – During a showing of the Doctor Who story "Horror of Fang Rock", Chicago PBS station WTTW-TV Channel 11 is interrupted for 88 seconds by a pirate television transmitter overriding the station's transmission signal to broadcast a video of himself in a Max Headroom mask being spanked. This incident has subsequently gained a degree of cult myth about it.
• CBS becomes the last American network to cease a chime intonation at the beginning of telecasts; satellite feeds have made the tones obsolete (their job was to signal to the affiliates to start airing the network feed in sync with everyone else).
• 227 star Jackée Harry changes her name to "Jackée," which she goes by until 1994.

Debuts

• January 6 – Inspector Morse premieres on ITV (1987–2000).
• January 20 – Unsolved Mysteries premieres on NBC (1987–1998, 2001–2002, 2008–present).
• January 26 – Square One TV, a skit-based children's program aimed at teaching mathematic skills, premieres on PBS (1987–1994).
• February 11 – Hey Dad..! premieres on the Seven Network (1987–1994).
• February 28 – Hikari Sentai Maskman premieres on TV Asahi (1987–1988)
• March 23 – The Bold and the Beautiful premieres (1987— ).
• April 5 –
  • Married... with Children premieres (1987–1997).
  • The Tracey Ullman Show premieres (1987–1990).
• April 12 – 21 Jump Street premiers (1987–1991).
• May 1 –
  • After Dark premieres on Channel 4 (1987–1997, BBC 2003)
  • Matlock premieres on ITV (1987–1997).
• May 4 – the revival of Classic Concentration premieres on NBC with host Alex Trebek, replacing Blockbusters (1987–1991, reran until 1993)
• July 5 – Watching premieres on ITV (1987–1993).
• July 31 – E! (then known as Movietime) debuts.
• September 7 – Knightmare premieres on ITV (1987–1994).
• September 14 – Dinosaucers premieres (1987)
• September 14 - Stoppit and Tidyup premieres on BBC and repeats in the following year.
• September 18 – Duck Tales premieres in syndication (1987–1990)
• September 22 – Full House premieres (1987–1995).
• September 24 – A Different World premieres (1987–1993).
• September 26 –
  • ChuckleVision premieres on BBC One (1987— ).
  • Going Live! premieres on BBC One (1987–1993).
  • "Jake and the Fatman" premiere on CBS. (1987–1992).
• September 28 –
  • Star Trek: The Next Generation debuts in first-run syndication. A long-sought-after revival of the 1960s Star Trek: The Original Series, TNG would run for seven successful seasons and would launch one of the most successful series of programs in television history. Four consecutive series would run for the next 18 years, until the final episode of Star Trek: Enterprise on May 13, 2005 (1987–1994).
  • Creepy Crawlies premieres on ITV (1987–1989).
• September 29 – thirtysomething premieres on ABC (1987–1991).
• September 30 – Charlie Chalk premieres on BBC One.
• October 12 - Going for Gold premieres on BBC One.
• November 17 – Fireman Sam premieres on BBC One (1987–).
• December 14 – Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles premieres (1987–1996).

Television shows

1940s

• Meet the Press (1947—present)
• Candid Camera (1948— )
• Come Dancing (UK) (1949–1995)

1950s

• Truth or Consequences (1950–1988)
• Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951—present)
• American Bandstand (1952–1989)
• Guiding Light (1952—present)
• The Today Show (1952—present)
• Panorama (UK) (1953—present)
• Face the Nation (1954—present)
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962–1992)
• This Is Your Life (UK) (1955–2003)
• As the World Turns (1956—present)
• 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—present)
• Four Corners (Australia) (1961—present)
• It's Academic (1961—present)
• The Late Late Show (Ireland) (1962–present).
• Doctor Who (UK) (1963–1989, 1996, 2005— )
• General Hospital (1963—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)
• Soul Train (1971—present)
• 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)
• Derrick (1974–1998)
• Wish You Were Here...? (UK) (1974—present)
• Arena (UK) (1975—present)
• Good Morning America (1975—present)
• Jim'll Fix It (UK) (1975–1994)
• The Krypton Factor (UK) (1977–1995)
• Ryan's Hope (1975–1989)
• Saturday Night Live (1975—present)
• the fifth estate (Canada) (1975—present)
• Wheel of Fortune (1975—present)
• 20/20 (1978—present)
• Blankety Blank (UK) (1979–1990,1997–2002)
• 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—present)
• Nightline (1979—present)
• This Old House (1979—present)

1980s

• Magnum, P.I. (1980–1988)
• Solid Gold (1980–1988)
• Dynasty (1981–1989)
• Entertainment Tonight (1981—present)
• Falcon Crest (1981–1990)
• Simon & Simon (1981–1988)
• What Now (1982—present)
• Timewatch (UK) (1982—present)
• Cagney & Lacey (1982–1988)
• Cheers (1982–1993)
• Family Ties (1982–1989)
• Late Night with David Letterman (1982–1993)
• Newhart (1982–1990)
• St. Elsewhere (1982–1988)
• The Journal (Canada) (1982–1992)
• Brookside (UK) (1982–2003)
• Taggart, UK (1983–present)
• Loving (1983–1995)
• 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—present)
• The Cosby Show (1984–1992)
• Who's the Boss? (1984–1992)
• 227 (1985–1990)
• EastEnders (UK) (1985—present)
• 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) (the only episode aired this year was the Christmas special The Frog's Legacy)
• Sally (1985–2002)
• T-Bag Bounces Back (There were various T-Bag series between 1985 and 1992)
• The Golden Girls (1985–1992)
• The Twilight Zone (1959–1964, 1985–1988, 2002)
• What's Happening Now!! (1985–1988)
• ALF (1986–1990)
• Amen (1986–1991)
• Designing Women (1986–1993)
• Double Dare (1986–1993)
• L.A. Law (1986–1994)
• Mama's Family (1983–1984, 1986–1990)
• Matlock (1986–1996)
• Pee-wee's Playhouse (1986–1991)
• Perfect Strangers (1986–1993)
• The Disney Sunday Movie (1986–1988)
• The Oprah Winfrey Show (1986— )
• Casualty (UK) (1986—present)
• Comic Relief (UK) (1986—present)
• Tales of the Unexpected (UK) (1979–1985, 1987–1988)
• Hey Dad..! (Australia) (1987–1994)
• Crimewatch (1984—present)
• Unsolved Mysteries (1987-present)
• Bullseye (UK) (1981–1995, 2005 special, 2006— , 2007 special)
• Dream of the Red Chamber(1987)
• The Highwayman (TV series) (1987-09-20 – 1988-05-06)

Ending this year

• March 3 – Silver Spoons (1982–1987)
• March 8 – The A-Team (1983–1987)
• March 20 – Capitol (1982–1987)
• March 30 – Fraggle Rock (1983–1987)
• April 17 – Remington Steele (1982–1987)
• May 1 – Blockbusters (1980–82, 1987)
• May 8 – Card Sharks (syndication), (1986–1987)
• May 12 – Gimme a Break! (1981–1987)
• May 18 – Fame (1982–1987)
• May 19 – Hill Street Blues (1981–1987)
• May 28 – Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983–1987)
• June 5 – Drummonds (1985–1987)
• July 1 – Today's Special (Canada) (1981–1987)
• July 19 – Countdown (Australia) (1974–1987)
• August 7 – Airwolf (1984–1987)
• August 19 – Sons and Daughters Australian TV series (1982–1987)
• September 5 – The Wuzzles (1985–1987)
• September 14 – Dinosaucers (1987)
• October – The Jetsons (1962–1963, 1984–1985, 1987)
• December 1 – Whistle Test (UK) (1971–1987)
• December 24 – Charlie Chalk (UK) (1987)
• December 25 – The Two Ronnies (UK) (1971–1987)
• The P.T.L. Club (1976–1987)

Made for television movies

• Amerika
• Assault and Matrimony
• Roman Holiday
• The Facts of Life Down Under
• Poor Little Rich Girl: The Barbara Hutton Story

Changes of network affiliation

• Punky Brewster, formerly an NBC series, resumes after a 1-year production hiatus in first-run syndication.
• Webster moves from ABC to first-run syndication.

Births

• February 21 – Ellen Page, actress
• March 9 – Bow Wow, rapper
• June 5 – Charlie Clements, Actor
• September 28 – Hilary Duff, actress (Disney's Lizzie McGuire) and singer
• October 18 – Zac Efron, actor High School Musical
• December 4 – Orlando Brown, actor

Deaths

• February 22 – David Susskind, 66, commentator and producer
• February 25 – James Coco, 56, actor
• March 3 – Danny Kaye, 74, actor and comedian
• March 21 – Dean Paul Martin, 35, actor on Misfits of Science and son of Dean Martin
• March 28 – Patrick Troughton, 67, actor who is best known for playing the Second Doctor on the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who from 1966 to 1969.
• April 17 – Dick Shawn, 63, comedian
• May 4 – Cathryn Damon, 56, actress (Mary on Soap and Cassie on Webster)
• May 31 – Roy Winsor, 75, soap opera writer (Search For Tomorrow)
• June 6 - Fulton Mackay, actor (Porridge)
• June 24 – Jackie Gleason, 71, comedian
• August 6 – Quinn Martin, 65, producer
• August 11 – Clara Peller, 85, Wendy's spokesperson (Where's the Beef? ad campaign)
• August 19 – Hayden Rorke, 76, actor (Dr. Bellows on I Dream of Jeannie)
• September 11 – Lorne Greene, 72, actor (Ben Cartwright on Bonanza)
• September 22 – Dan Rowan, 65, comedian, co-host of Laugh-In