1986

This is a list of notable events, premieres, releases, series cancellations and endings, and other business ventures for Nickelodeon in the year 1986.

Television

Series premieres

• October 6 - Double Dare

Acquired shows

• March 3 - Mister Ed
• May 4
  • I Spy
  • The Smothers Brothers
• July 1
  • Curious George
  • The Mysterious Cities of Gold
• October 4 - Spartakus and the Sun Beneath the Sea
• October 12 - The Monkees
• November 1
  • Rated K: For Kids By Kids
  • Zoo Family

Series endings

• Going Great
• Powerhouse
• Vic's Vacant Lot
• National Geographic Explorer

Specials

• The Big Ballot (later known as the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards)
• Marc Summers' Mystery Magical Tour/Marc Summers' Mystery Magical Special

People

• January 6 - Shane Sweet is born
• January 30 - Ashley Bucille is born
• February 12 - Gary LeRoi Gray is born
• February 24 - Bryce Papenbrook is born
• April 3 - Amanda Bynes is born
• April 29 - Zoran Korach is born
• May 16 - Drew Roy is born
• June 27 - Drake Bell is born
• July 6 - Leon Frierson is born
• August 31 - Spencer Klein is born
• September 29 - Lisa Foiles is born
• October 13 - Raquel Lee is born
• November 10 - Josh Peck is born
• November 18 - Joseph Ashton is born

Business

• Viacom, which also had owned CBS, buys MTV Networks.