See also: 1981 in television, other events of 1982, 1983 in television and the list of 'years in television'.
Hit Television Shows
- MTV (1981-present)
Other Popular Television Shows
- February - Late Night with David Letterman debuts on NBC after The Tonight Show. (1982-1993)
- Cheers debuts on NBC (1982-1993)
- Family Ties debuts on NBC (1982-1989)
- Alice (1976-1985)
- Dallas (1978-1991)
- Dr Who (1963-1989)
- Happy Days (1974-1984)
- Hill Street Blues (1981-1987)
- Laverne & Shirley (1976-1983)
- Lawrence Welk Show (1955-1982)
- Little House on the Prairie (1974-1983)
- M*A*S*H (1972-1983)
- Mork & Mindy (1978-1982)
- Saturday Night Live (1975-present)
- Sesame Street (1969-present)
- Taxi (1978-1983)
- Three's Company (1977-1984)
- The Tonight Show (1954-present)
- WKRP in Cincinnati (1978-1982)
- Wheel of Fortune (1975-present)
Events
- July 28 - Comedian Andy Kaufman and professional wrestler Jerry Lawler get into an on-air fight during an interview on the Late Night with David Letterman show. (The event was later revealed to be a hoax).
- 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.
- Surround Sound is introduced for home use by Dolby
Births
Deaths
- March 5 - John Belushi, actor