Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1950-51 Season

The 1950-51 television season featured four networks, NBC, ABC, CBS and Dumont.

To say that NBC dominated the TV landscape is an understatement. I had the top six shows and 18 of the top 30.

A lot of the success of the networks was bringing over the popular Radio stars like Frank Sinatra, Arthur Godfrey, Jimmy Durante, Dean Martin, Bob Hope, Danny Thomas and many more.

The DuMont Network, was just limping along. it didn't place a single show in the top 30, It would place Public Affairs programs against the power series from CBS and NBC. Its days were numbered.

(Households with TVs: 10.2 million)

Top 30 Programs of the 1950-51 Season (household ratings)

1. Texaco Star Theater (NBC) - 61.6
2. Fireside Theater (NBC) - 52.6
3. The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) - 45.3
4. Your Show of Shows (NBC) - 42.6
5. The Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC) - 42.0
6. Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (NBC) - 41.3
7. The Lone Ranger (ABC) - 41.2
8. Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (CBS) - 40.6
9. Hopalong Cassidy (NBC) - 39.9
10. Mama (CBS) - 39.7

11. Robert Montgomery Presents (NBC) - 38.8
12. Martin Kane, Privet Eye (NBC) - 37.8
13. Man Against Crime (CBS) - 37.4
14. Kraft Television Theater (NBC) - 37.0
15. Toast of the Town (CBS) - 36.5
16. The Aldrich Family (NBC) - 36.1
17. You Bet Your Life (NBC) - 36.0
18. Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (CBS) - 35.9
19. Big Town (CBS) - 35.6
19. Armstrong Circle Theater (NBC) - 35.6
19. Lights Out (NBC) - 35.6

22. The Alan Young Show (CBS) - 34.4
23. Stop the Music (ABC) - 34.0
24. Studio One (CBS) - 33.8
25. The Big Story (NBC) - 33.7
26. Blue Ribbon Bouts (CBS) - 33.4
27. The Original Amateur Hour (NBC) - 33.4
28. The Ken Murray Show (CBS) - 32.1
29. Your Hit Parade (NBC) - 32.0
30. Lux Video Theater (CBS) - 31.5
30. The Speidel Show (NBC) -31.5