Classic TV Raitings and Rankings: 1969-70

ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN Held on to be the #1 program on television for the second year in a row. The combination of cutting edge political humor and traditional slapstick, clicked with viewers both young and old.  

NBC, with LAUGH-IN leading the way is putting a dent into CBS' domination. The peacock network placed 8 programs in the top 30, including three of the top six.

ABC also saw the 69-70 season as a turnaround season. The network produced sic top 30 programs, up two from the previous season. Also, ABC had a night that it clearly won. Tuesdays night of THE MOD SQUAD, MOVIE OF THE WEEK and MARCUS WELBY M.D. all placed on the chart.

CBS still top dog, took the remaining 16 spots, lead by long time western series GUNSMOKE. In fact some of it top performing programs have some age to them, in some aspect. MAYBERRY R.F.D. is a continuation of THE ANDY GRIFFITH SHOW not completing 10 seasons. Lucille Ball is on her third series over nearly a 20 year span, with only a couple of years of not starring in a TV program. And Red Skelton has been on TV 1955. Even though they are on top, CBS will soon do something unheard of.

Top 30 Network Programs by household ratings (Households with TVs - 58.50 million)

1. 26.3 - Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (NBC)
2. 25.9 - Gunsmoke (CBS)
3. 24.7 - Bonanza (NBC)
4. 24.4 - Mayberry R.F.D. (CBS)
5. 24.2 - Family Affair (CBS)
6. 23.9 - The Wonderful World of Disney (NBC)
7. 23.9 - Here's Lucy (CBS) 
8. 23.8 - The Red Skelton Hour (CBS)
9. 23.7 - Marcus Welby M.D. (ABC)
10. 22.8 - The Doris Day Show (CBS)
11. 22.7 - The Bill Cosby Show (NBC) 
12. 22.4 - The Jim Neighbors Hour (CBS)
13. 22.1 - The Carol Burnett Show (CBS)
14. 21.9 - The Dean Martin Show (NBC)
15. 21.8 - The Johnny Cash Show (ABC) 
15. 21.8 - My Three Sons (CBS)
15. 21.8 - Ironside (NBC)
18. 21.7 - The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS)
19. 21.1 - Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
20. 21.0 - Hee-Haw (CBS)
20. 21.0 - The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour (CBS)
22. 20.9 - ABC Movie of the Week (ABC)
23. 20.8 - The Mod Squad (ABC)
24. 20.6 - The F.B.I. (ABC)
24. 20.6 - Bewitched (ABC)
24. 20.6 - NBC Saturday Night at the Movies (NBC)
27. 20.3 - The Ed Sullivan Show (CBS)
28. 20.1 - Julia (NBC)
29. 20.0 - CBS Thursday Night Movies (CBS)
30. 19.9 - Manixx (CBS)