Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1984-85

The tide is beginning to turn again as CBS is slipping and NBC is surging. But, it is ABC that has the #1 show of the year, as 4th year drama DYNASTY over takes DALLAS for the top spot. The soap-drama genre is genre the hot format. Joining DYNASTY and DALLAS in the top 10 are KNOTS LANDING (#9) and FALCON CREST (#10). But how long will the primetime soaps last?

CBS still is the top network with 13 programs in the top 30, including six in the top 10, including a tie for 10th. The Sunday night line up has three of it's four series in the top 10, with aging medical drama TRAPPER JOHN M.D. sliding down to #29.

For NBC, which placed 11 programs in the top 30, this is the beginning of their dominance from the late 80's to the early 2000's. Freshman sitcom COSBY is the top comedy on the chart, placing 3rd on the season. The lead program of what will become "must See TV." all five Thursday shows make the top 30. FAMILY TIES joins COSBY in the top 10, while CHEERS and NIGHT COURT are in the top 20. Veteran police drama HILL STREET BLUES is the #30 program of the season.

ABC had just six shows in the top 30 and nothing to join DYNASTY in the top 10. In fact, four of the six shows are between the 20th and 30th spots. Gone are the hit's that pushed the series to the top, just a few years earlier.

There were four freshmen series in the season's top 30, but there a few freshmen series that didn't make it, but would have long series runs ahead. Shows like WHO'S THE BOSS (ABC), MIAMI VICE (NBC), and MOONLIGHTING (ABC).

Top 30 Programs, by household ratings (households with TVs - 84.9 million)

1. 25.0 - Dynasty (ABC)
2. 24.7 - Dallas (CBS)
3. 24.2 - The Cosby Show (NBC)
4. 22.2 - 60 Minutes (CBS)
5. 22.1 - Family Ties (NBC)
6. 21.9 - The A-Team (NBC)
7. 21.8 - Simon & Simon (CBS)
8. 20.1 - Murder She Wrote (CBS)
9. 20.0 - Knots Landing (CBS)
10. 19.9 - Falcon Crest (CBS)
10. 19.9 - Crazy Like a Fox (CBS)
12. 19.7 - Hotel (ABC)
12. 19.7 - Cheers (NBC)
14. 19.2 - Riptide (NBC)
15. 19.1 - Magnum P.I. (CBS)
16. 18.4 - Newhart (CBS)
17. 18.3 - Kate & Allie (CBS)
18. 18.2 - NBC Monday Night at the Movies (NBC)
19. 17.7 - Highway to Heaven (NBC)
20. 17.6 - Night Court (NBC)
21. 17.5 - ABC Sunday Night Movie (ABC)
22. 17.1 - (Scarecrow and Mrs. King (CBS)
22. 17.1 - TV Bloopers & Practical Jokes (NBC)
22. 17.1 - The Fall Guy (ABC)
25. 17.0 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
25. 17.0 - Remington Steele (NBC)
25. 17.0 - Webster (ABC)
28. 16.9 - Cagney & Lacey (CBS)
29. 16.8 - Trapper John, M.D. (CBS)
30. 16.6 - Hill Street Blues (NBC)