Classic TV Raitings and Rankings: 1972-73

For a second year in a row ALL IN THE FAMILY is the #1 program on TV. It is also leading of what is starting to be a "Must See TV" night of comedy. Already three classics air on Saturday nights, with ALL IN THE FAMILY, and include THE MARY TYLER MOORE SHOW and first year sitcom, THE BOB NEWHART SHOW. The odd show out is BRIDGET LOVES BERNIE, despite ranking #5 for the season, which will be gone in early March. It is the highest rated program ever to be cancelled.

ALL IN THE FAMILY is also starting to branch out. MAUDE, spin-off #1, is an instant hit on Tuesday nights, ranking #4 for the season. The Bea Arthur freshman comedy takes the formula that made ALL IN THE FAMILY a hit, but reverses it. MAUDE was the Anti-Archie Bunker, A strong divorced woman who has remarried, voted democrat and is a member of the ERA. What's not to love?

TV is no longer just original programming. Movie of the weeks now fill 19 of the combined 64.5 hours of network programming. ABC has 4 nights that program movies, all of which do rank in the top 30. NBC also schedules 4 nights of movies, but two of the nights are original Mystery Movie wheels. CBS' two nights of movies failed to make the chart.

On the strength of the four movie nights, ABC made leaps and bounds in the ratings posting 10 programs on the chart. MARCUS WELBY M.D. still has punch at #13, down 10 spots. Freshmen series THE ROOKIES picks up were THE MOD SQUAD left off, at #23. Mid-season action drama KUNG FU does well, finishing in a tie for 29th.

NBC is doing well two with eight top 30 programs. Six of the programs are in the top 12. Its best showing at the top of the charts in nearly 20 years. Sophomore sitcom SANDFORD AND SON lead the way for the network, placing #2 for the season. Once dominate western BONANZA was hit hard as before the season Dan Blocker (HOSS) passed away and the loss was felt in the ratings. The former #1 program failed to make the top 30 chart and would end this season.

CBS still tops them all with 13 charted programs. As older programs decline like, HERE'S LUCY (#15), a wave of new shows are poised to carry on. Detective drama BARNABY JONES, starring Buddy Ebson, places 25th for its first season. Freshman family drama THE WALTONS cracks the top 20, finishing 19th. Plus the previously mentioned sitcoms that filled the top 15.

Other notable first year programs this season were M*A*S*H and THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO, staring Carl Malden and Michael Douglas.

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

1. 33.3 - All In The Family (CBS)
2. 27.6 - Sanford and Son (NBC)
3. 25.2 - Hawaii Five-0 (CBS)
4. 24.7 - Maude (CBS)
5. 24.2 - Bridget Loves Bernie (CBS)
5. 24.2 - NBC Sunday Mystery Movie (NBC)
7. 23.6 - Mary Tyler Moore (CBS)
7. 23.6 - Gunsmoke (CBS)
9. 23.5 - The Wonderful World of Disney (NBC)
10. 23.4 - Ironside (NBC)
11. 23.3 - Adam-12 (NBC)
12. 23.1 - Flip Wilson (NBC)
13. 22.9 - Marcus Welby M.D. (ABC)
14. 22.4 - Cannon (CBS)
15. 21.9 - Here's Lucy (CBS) 
16. 21.8 - The Bob Newhart Show (CBS)
17. 21.5 - ABC Tuesday Movie of the Week (ABC)
18. 21.0 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
19. 20.6 - The Partridge Family (ABC)
19. 20.6 - Medical Center (CBS)
19. 20.6 - The Waltons (CBS)
22. 20.3 - The Carol Burnett Show (CBS)
23. 20.0 - ABC Sunday Night Movie (ABC)
23. 20.0 - The Rookies (ABC)
25. 19.9 - The Little People (NBC)
25. 19.9 - Barnaby Jones (CBS) 
25. 19.9 - ABC Wednesday Movie of the Week (ABC)
28. 19.3 - NBC Monday Night at the Movies (NBC)
29. 19.2 - The F.B.I (ABC)
29. 19.2 - ABC Monday Night Movie (ABC)
29. 19.2 - Kung Fu (ABC)