The 1985-1986 television season is the 40th network season in United States television history. It began on Monday, September 23, 1985 and ended on Sunday, April 27, 1986. The effective start date of the 1985-86 season for the purposes of audience measurement was Monday, September 23, 1985 through Sunday, September 14, 1986.
Universe estimates used to calculate a program or network's rating within that particular demographic for the 1985-86 TV season. See the extended 1985-1986 universe estimates.
| Demographic | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Households | 85,900,000 | |
| Persons 2+ | 224,440,000 | |
| Persons 2-11 | 33,400,000 | 14.9% |
| Persons 6-11 | 19,770,000 | 8.81% |
| Persons 12-17 | 20,680,000 | 9.21% |
| Persons 18+ | 170,360,000 | 75.9% |
| Persons 18-34 | 67,300,000 | 30.0% |
| Persons 18-49 | 111,350,000 | 49.6% |
| Persons 25-54 | 95,460,000 | 42.5% |
| Persons 35+ | 103,060,000 | 45.9% |