During the mid-1960s, Sunday nights offered a lineup of iconic shows across the major networks, including popular variety acts, family-friendly adventures, and dramatic series, particularly at the 8:00 PM time slot.
A Look at the Mid-1960s Sunday Evening Schedule
As families gathered around their television sets on Sunday evenings, they had a diverse choice of programming. This prime time block featured some of the era's most-watched shows, drawing millions of viewers weekly.
Popular Shows Airing at 8:00 PM
The 8:00 PM slot on Sunday evenings was a highly competitive and popular viewing hour, with each major network offering distinct programming:
| Network | Show (Time Slot: 8:00 PM) | Notes on Content/Popularity |
|---|---|---|
| ABC | The F.B.I. (Fall) | A popular crime drama series. |
| ABC | Preview Tonight (Summer) | A general variety or preview show for the summer season. |
| CBS | The Ed Sullivan Show | An iconic variety show featuring musical acts, comedians, and performers; consistently one of the highest-rated shows. |
| NBC | Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color | A beloved family-friendly anthology series with animation, live-action adventures, and documentaries; also consistently a top-rated program. |
Two of the standout programs, The Ed Sullivan Show on CBS and Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color on NBC, were particularly dominant. Both shows consistently ranked among the top-rated programs of the era, often tying for viewership, indicating their immense popularity and cultural impact.
- The Ed Sullivan Show: A staple of Sunday night television, this long-running variety show featured an incredible array of performers, from rock and roll legends like The Beatles to comedians, dancers, and acrobats. Its ability to showcase diverse talent made it a significant cultural touchstone.
- Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color: Captivated audiences of all ages with its imaginative storytelling. It offered a mix of animated shorts and features, live-action adventures, and nature documentaries, making it a beloved family viewing experience.
- The F.B.I.: On ABC, this series provided a more serious option for viewers interested in law enforcement stories, offering a blend of drama and procedural elements that kept audiences engaged during the fall season.
