This was the year that ABC and CBS began televising a majority of their prime-time programs in color, while NBC placed their final two black-and-white shows in prime time — the war drama Convoy and the sitcom I Dream of Jeannie, with the latter moving to color the following season.

This was the television schedule on all three networks for the fall season beginning in September 1965. All times are Eastern and Pacific.

New fall series are highlighted in bold.

Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.^[1]

Note: This is the first season in which a majority of prime time programs were broadcast in color. The TV shows that were in color are italicized.

Note: Art Linkletter's Hollywood Talent Scouts replaced The Steve Lawrence Show in December. The Avengers replaced Ben Casey in March.

• formerly Burke's Law

Note: The Farmer's Daughter took over the 9:30–10 time period on ABC, effective November 5, because many viewers were not home to watch Peyton Place on Fridays. Starting November 1, Peyton Place was seen Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. In the winter of 1966, The Sammy Davis, Jr. Show replaced Convoy on its timeslot, which was transmitted live in color.

Note: Even though ABC Scope was scheduled at 10:30 PM, not one major station (including WABC-TV New York, the network's flagship station) carried it in that time period, preferring to schedule local or syndicated programming in its place. Most affiliates aired it in "fringe time" during the weekend.