Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1953-54 Season

The 1953-54 season rankings looked very familiar to previous seasons. I LOVE LUCY was #1, Arthur Godfrey had two shows in the top 10 and ABC has noting in the top 30. However, the tide was changing. CBS was running equal to once dominate NBC. ABC was a distant third, on the verge of bankruptcy, and the DuMont TV Network was in its last leg.

One interesting note, not in the top 30 list, is that DuMont paid $1.3 million for the TV rights of the NFL. It had a Sunday Night game and also aired the first Thanksgiving classic, Lions vs Packers. The failing network also aired NBA games over the winter.

Top 30 Network Programs by household ratings

(26.0 million television homes)

1. I Love Lucy (CBS) - 58.8
2. Dragnet (NBC) - 53.2
3. Arthur Godfrey's Talent Scouts (CBS) - 43.6 
4. You Bet Your Life (NBC) - 43.6
5. The Buick-Berle Show (NBC) - 40.2
6. Arthur Godfrey and His Friends (CBS) - 38.9
7. Ford Theater (NBC) - 38.8
8. The Jackie Gleason Show (CBS) - 38.1
9. Fireside Theater (NBC) - 36.4
10. The Colgate Comedy Hour (NBC) - 36.2

11. This Is You Life (NBC) - 36.2
12. The Red Buttons Show (CBS) - 35.3 
13. The Life of Riley (NBC) - 35.0
14. Our Miss Brooks (CBS) - 34.2
15. Treasure Men in Action (NBC) - 33.9
16. The Jack Benny Program (CBS) - 33.3
17. Toast of the Town (CBS) - 33.0 
18. Gillette Cavalcade of Sports (NBC) - 32.7
19. The Philco Television Playhouse (NBC) - 32.5
20. The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (CBS) - 32.4

21. Kraft Television Theater (NBC) - 31.3
22. Goodyear Television Playhouse (NBC) - 31.0
23. Pabst Blue Ribbon Bouts (CBS) - 30.9 
24. Private Secretary (CBS) - 30.3
25. I Married Joan (NBC) - 30.2
26. Mama (CBS) - 30.2
27. The General Electric Theater (CBS) - 29.9
28. What's My Line? (CBS) - 29.6
29. Martin Kane, Private Eye (NBC) - 29.5
29. The Big Story (NBC) - 29.5
29. Your Hit Parade (NBC) - 29.5