Classic TV Raitings and Rankings: 1971-72

This was the year that CBS "killed the trees" and got rid of all of their rural comedies and went more urban with their programs. Gone were HEE-HAW, MAYBERRY, R.F.D. GREEN ACRES and THE BEVERLY HILLBILLIES. In their place was BEARCATS!, THE CHICAGO TEDDY BEARS, FUNNY FACE (#8) and THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW (#18). THE NEW DICK VAN DYKE SHOW would only last 3 seasons and FUNNY FACE was gone before 1972.

CBS now had the #1 program back on the network, after an absence of years, with ALL IN THE FAMILY. The second year sitcom pulled in the highest average rating (34.0) since BONANAZA in the 1964-65 season. With all of the changes, CBS still placed 14 programs in the top 30.

NBC posted 8 top 30 programs, lead by the comedy variety series THE FLIP WILSON SHOW with a 28.2 HH rating. Also a hit with viewers is the NBC MYSTERY MOVIE which alternates episodes from COLUMBO, MCCLOUD and MCMILLAN & WIFE. The Mystery wheel ranked #14. Posting steep declines for NBC were BONANZA (#20) and ROWAN & MARTIN'S LAUGH-IN (#22). Both were former #1 programs and audiences tastes have quickly changes as the new decade had kicked off.

ABC maintained posting 8 programs in the top 30. However two of the shows are weekly movies. Tuesday nights are still the strongest night for the network. MARCUS WELBY, M.D. and the Movie of the week that leads into it are both still in the top 5. THE MOD SQUAD is beginning to fade, ranking 21st.

Notable new shows this season were the detective drama CANNON (#28), starring William Conrad. Sitcom THE JIMMY STEWART SHOW, which only lasted the one season. Larry Hagman's second sitcom, THE GOOD LIFE,  since I DREAM OF JEANNIE ended in May of 1970. It was gone before Valentines Day.

Top 30 Network Programs by household ratings
(Households with TVs - 62.10 million)

1. 34.0 - All In The Family (CBS)
2. 28.2 - The Flip Wilson Show (NBC)
3. 27.8 - Marcus Welby M.D. (ABC)
4. 26.0 - Gunsmoke (CBS)
5. 25.6 - Movie of the Week (ABC) 
6. 25.2 - Sanford and Son (NBC)
7. 24.8 - Manixx (CBS)
8. 23.9 - Funny Face (CBS)
8. 23.9 - Adam-12 (NBC)
10. 23.7 - The Mary Tyler Moore Show (CBS)
10. 23.7 - Here's Lucy (CBS)
12. 23.6 - Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
13. 23.5 - Medical Center (CBS)
14. 23.2 - NBC Mystery Movie (NBC)
15. 23.0 - Ironside (NBC)
16. 22.6 - The Partridge Family (ABC)
17. 22.4 - The F.B.I. (ABC)
18. 22.2 - The New Dick Van Dyke Show (CBS)
19. 22.0 - The Wonderful World of Disney (NBC)
20. 21.9 - Bonanza (NBC)
21. 21.5 - The Mod Squad (ABC)
22. 21.4 - Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (NBC)
23. 21.2 - The Doris Day Show (CBS)
23. 21.2 - The Carol Burnett Show (CBS)
25. 20.9 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
26. 20.8 - ABC Sunday Night Movie (ABC)
27. 20.2 - The Sunny & Cher Comedy Hour (CBS)
28. 19.8 - Cannon (CBS)
28. 19.8 - Room 222 (ABC)
30. 19.5 - CBS Friday Night Movies (CBS)