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The year 1982 in television involved some significant events. Below is a list of television-related events in 1982.

For the American TV schedule, see: 1982-83 American network television schedule.

Events

Channel 4, the UK's fourth channel, is launched in November this year.

• January 1 - Central Independent Television starts broadcasting in the English Midlands, replacing ATV. Also, TVS starts broadcasting to the South & South East of England, replacing Southern, and TSW starts broadcasting to the South West England, replacing Westward.
• January 3 - Bryant Gumbel begins his 15 year stint as co-anchor on the Today Show.
• February 3 - Singer Jermaine Jackson guest-stars as Tootie gets to meet her idol on a very special The Facts of Life.
• February 18 - First color television broadcasts in Pakistan.
• March 4 - The short-lived Police Squad! airs on ABC (last episode was shown on July 8).
• March 26 - The final episode of the soap opera Search for Tomorrow airs on CBS. NBC picks it up immediately; the first new episode of the serial airs on the network March 29.
• March 26 - Password Plus is cancelled by NBC after 801 episodes.
• April 2 - John Chancellor signs off for the last time on the NBC Nightly News. He is replaced by the team of Roger Mudd and Tom Brokaw, which will last 17 months.
• April 9 - The season finale of Dallas finds J.R. Ewing's longtime enemy Cliff Barnes fighting for his life after a suicide attempt.
• May 2 - The Weather Channel launches in the US
• October 10 - Boys from the Blackstuff premieres on BBC2 (last episode was shown on November 7).
• October 22 - Susan Stafford leaves Wheel of Fortune to work on humanitarian work. Auditions take place for who will replace her.
• November 1 - S4C, the first Welsh language TV service is launched.
• November 2 - Channel 4 starts broadcasting in the UK. The first programme shown is the game show Countdown, which, barring the news, is the only programme from the launch night that is still running today.
• December 13 - Vanna White takes over hosting roles for Susan Stafford on Wheel of Fortune; a role she holds as of 2008^[update].
• December 26 - The animated adaptation of the Raymond Briggs book The Snowman premieres on Channel 4. It has been shown every Christmas since.
• December 29 - A puzzling appearance by Nastassja Kinski on Late Night with David Letterman. Kinski appears with an unusual hair style, which Letterman described as "looking like there was an owl perched on top of her head". Kinski seemed to be somewhat oblivious to the jokes and everything else that was going on around her. The show's second guest, comedian John Candy, came out with his hair moussed up in a pile.

Also in 1982

• The National Association of Broadcasters strikes down its long-standing Television Code in response to a Washington, D.C. circuit court ruling which declared parts of it unconstitutional.
• Surround Sound is introduced for home use by Dolby.
• Norman Lear purchases Avco Embassy Pictures and rechristens TAT Communications Company as Embassy Television.
• Mary Jo Catlett replaces Nedra Volz on Diff'rent Strokes, as the New Housekeeper, Mrs. Pearl Gallagher, from 1982 until the series ending in 1986.
• Future Seinfeld co-star, Julia Louis-Dreyfus joins the cast of Saturday Night Live until 1985, after becoming a regular castmember/featured player for three seasons (1982-1985).
• First time of CCTV New Year's Gala on air, this program is before day of Chinese Lunar New Year every year, more than 800 million watching this program, only mainland of China.
• Tom Wopat and John Schneider leave The Dukes of Hazzard in a much publicized contract dispute. Byron Cherry and Christopher Mayer are cast as Coy and Vance respectively. Bo and Luke were explained to have joined the NASCAR circuit, although Wopat and Schneider would return before season's end.

Debuts

• January 1 - What Now premieres on TV2 in New Zealand (1982-present).
• January 4 - Let's Pretend premieres on ITV (1982-1988).
• January 7 - Fame, adapted from the 1980 film of the same name, premieres on NBC (1982-1987).
• January 11 - The Journal premieres on CBC (1982-1992).
• February 1 - Late Night with David Letterman (1982-1993) debuts on NBC after The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
• February 6 - Dai Sentai Goggle V premieres on TV-Asahi (1982-1983)
• March 12 - T.J. Hooker premieres on ABC
• March 18 - Mahou no Princess Minky Momo premieres on TV Tokyo (1982-1983)
• March 25 - Cagney & Lacey premieres on CBS (1982-1988).
• March 29 - Capitol daytime drama premieres on CBS (1982-1987).
• September 1 - Timewatch (UK) premieres on BBC2 (1982-present).
• September 20 - The $25,000 Pyramid debuts on CBS hosted by Dick Clark where 2 contestants can win $25,000 in cash (1982-1988).
  • Child's Play debuts on CBS with host Bill Cullen.
• September 22 - Family Ties debuts on NBC (1982-1989).
• September 22 - Tales of the Gold Monkey debuts on ABC (1982-1983).
• September 24 - Bring 'Em Back Alive debuts on CBS (1982-1983).
• September 25 - Silver Spoons premieres on NBC (1982-1987).
• September 26 - Knight Rider premieres on NBC (1982-1986).
• September 27 - Square Pegs premieres on CBS (1982-1983).
• September 30 - Cheers debuts on Must See TV(1982-1993).
• October 1 - Remington Steele premieres on NBC (1982-1987).
• October 19 - St. Elsewhere premieres on NBC (1982-1988).
• October 25 - Newhart premieres on CBS (1982-1990).
• November 2 - Countdown (1982-), Brookside (1982-2003), Channel 4 News (1982-) and The Comic Strip Presents (1982-) all premiere on the opening night of Channel 4 in the UK.
• November 5 - The Tube (UK) premieres on Channel 4 (1982-1987).
• November 9 - The Young Ones (UK) premieres on BBC2 (1982, 1984).
• December 12 - Powerhouse debuts on PBS (1982-1983).
• January 12 - American Playhouse premieres on PBS (1982-1994).

Miniseries

• The Blue and the Gray
• The Executioner's Song
• Dramatic Adventure of Sara Dane
• Jonah
• The Phoenix
• Women of the Sun
• Once Upon a Time... Space

Television shows

1940s

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

1950s

• Truth or Consequences (1950-1988).
• Search for Tomorrow (1951-1986).
• Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951-present).
• American Bandstand (1952-1989).
• Guiding Light (1952-present).
• The Today Show (1952-present).
• Panorama (UK) (1953-present).
• The Good Old Days (UK) (1953-1983).
• Face the Nation (1954-present).
• The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962-1992).
• Captain Kangaroo (1955-1984).
• This Is Your Life (UK) (1955-2003).
• As the World Turns (1956-present).
• The Edge of Night (1956-1984).
• 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-present).
• 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).
• World of Sport (UK) (1965-1985).
• Play School (Australia) (1966-present).
• The Money Programme (UK) (1966-present).
• 60 Minutes (1968-present).
• 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).
• Play for Today (UK) (1970-1984).
• Masterpiece Theatre (1971-present).
• Old Grey Whistle Test (UK) (1971-1987).
• Soul Train (1971-present).
• Are You Being Served? (UK) (1972-1985).
• Emmerdale Farm (UK) (1972-present).
• Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids (1972-1984).
• John Craven's Newsround (UK) (1972-present).
• M*A*S*H (1972-1983).
• The Price Is Right (1972-present).
• Last of the Summer Wine (UK) (1973-present).
• Match Game (1962-1969, 1973-1984, 1990-1991, 1998-1999).
• Schoolhouse Rock! (1973-1986).
• Superstars (UK) (1973-1985, 2003-2005).
• The Young and the Restless (1973-present).
• Countdown (Australia) (1974-1987).
• Derrick (1974-1998).
• Happy Days (1974-1984).
• Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983).
• The Dean Martin Celebrity Roast (1974-1984).
• Wish You Were Here...? (UK) (1974-present).
• Arena (UK) (1975-present).
• Good Morning America (1975-present).
• Jim'll Fix It (UK) (1975-1994).
• One Day at a Time (1975-1984).
• Ryan's Hope (1975-1989).
• Saturday Night Live (1975-present).
• The Don Lane Show (Australia) (1975-1983).
• the fifth estate (Canada) (1975-present).
• The Jeffersons (1975-1985).
• Wheel of Fortune (1975-present).
• Alice (1976-1985).
• Family Feud (1976-1985, 1988-1995, 1999-present).
• Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983).
• Quincy, M.E. (1976-1983).
• Second City Television (SCTV) (Canada) (1976-1984).
• The P.T.L. Club (1976-1987).
• CHiPs (1977-1983).
• Fantasy Island (1977-1984).
• The Love Boat (1977-1986).
• Three's Company (1977-1984).
• 20/20 (1978-present).
• 3-2-1 (UK) (1978-1987).
• Battle of the Planets (1978-1985).
• Dallas (1978-1991).
• Diff'rent Strokes (1978-1986).
• Grange Hill (UK) (1978-present).
• Taxi (1978-1983).
• Archie Bunker's Place (1979-1983).
• Benson (1979-1986).
• Knots Landing (1979-1993).
• Real People (1979-1984).
• Tales of the Unexpected (UK) (1979-1985, 1987-1988).
• The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985).
• The Facts of Life (1979-1988).
• Trapper John, M.D. (1979-1986).
• You Can't Do That on Television (Canada) (1979-1990).
• Antiques Roadshow (UK) (1979-present).
• Nightline (1979-present).
• This Old House (1979-present)

1980s

• It's a Living (1980-1982, 1985-1989).
• Kingswood Country (Australia) (1980-1984).
• Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988).
• Solid Gold (1980-1988).
• That's Incredible! (1980-1984).
• The Other 'Arf (UK) (1980-1984).
• Too Close for Comfort (1980-1986).
• Dynasty (1981-1989).
• Entertainment Tonight (1981-present).
• Falcon Crest (1981-1990).
• Gimme a Break! (1981-1987).
• Hill Street Blues (1981-1987).
• Only Fools and Horses (UK) (1981-1983, 1985-1993, 1996-1997, 2001-2003).
• SCTV Network 90 (US) (1981-1983).
• Simon & Simon (1981-1988).
• T.J. Hooker (1982-1986).
• Knight Rider (1982-1986).
• The Fall Guy (1981-1986).
• Today's Special (Canada) (1981-1987).
• Walt Disney (1981-1983).
• Tattletales (1974-1978, 1982-1984).

Ending this year

• January 29 - Late Night with Tom Snyder (1973-1982).
• February 24 - The Lawrence Welk Show (1955-1982).
• March 1 - In Search of... (1977-1982).
• March 22 - Mr. Merlin (1981-1982).
• March 26 - Password Plus (1979-1982).
• March 27 - Multi-Coloured Swap Shop (UK) (1976-1982).
• April 3 - Tiswas (UK) (1974-1982).
• April 21 - WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982).
• April 23 -
  • Blockbusters (1980-82, 1987)
  • Fridays (1980-1982).
• May 12 - The Incredible Hulk (1977-1982).
• May 20 - Barney Miller (1975-1982).
• May 27 -
  • Mork and Mindy (1978-1982).
  • Bosom Buddies (1980-1982).
• September 4 - Tom and Jerry (1965-1972, 1975-1977, 1980-1982).
• September 10 - Match Game (1962-69); (1973-82); (1983-84); (1990-91); (1998-99)
• September 13 - Lou Grant (1977-1982).
• December 31 -
  • The Doctors (1963-1982).
  • Texas (1980-1982).

Changes of network affiliation

• Search for Tomorrow moves from CBS to NBC; in the final CBS episode, Travis and Liza's boat blows up in a fiery explosion off the coast of St. Kitts and Nevis. At the end of the episode, viewers are told to "Follow the Search" to another network. NBC is never mentioned in the promos.

Births

• January 1 - Natalie Denning, British model
• January 3 - Amanda Robbins, British model
• January 19 - Jodie Sweetin, US actress (Full House).
• March 3 - Jessica Biel, US actress.
• March 11 - Thora Birch, US actress.
• July 17 - Brooke Kinsella, UK actress.
• September 3 - Fearne Cotton, British television presenter
• September 30 - Lacey Chabert, US actress, voice actor (Party of Five, The Wild Thornberrys, Mean Girls).
• October 15 - Toran Caudell, voice actor ("Arnold" from Hey Arnold! in 1996-1997 and "Wolfgang" in 1997).
• December 17 - Leander Suleiman, US actress.

Deaths

• January 1 - Victor Buono, 43, actor.
• January 5 - Hans Conried, 64, actor.
• January 10 - Paul Lynde, 55, actor and comedian known for his work on Bewitched and Hollywood Squares.
• January 18 - Trent Lehman, a former child actor on Nanny and the Professor, (suicide).
• March 5 - John Belushi, 33, actor, best known for Saturday Night Live
• May 15 - Hugh Beaumont, 73, actor (Ward Cleaver) on Leave It to Beaver.
• July 21 - Dave Garroway, 69, journalist, from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
• December 6 - Will Lee, 74, actor who played Mr. Hooper on Sesame Street.
• December 23 - Jack Webb, 62, actor, producer, best known for playing Sgt. Joe Friday on Dragnet.

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