Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1982-83

It is another strong season for CBS. It has the top four shows of the season, including the new #1 program, 60 MINUTES. The network has its in drama, comedy and non-scripted. It sweeps the night on Sundays, Thursdays and Fridays. It placed 15 programs in the top 30, six in the top 10. It is the network to beat.


ABC is on the backside of their brief, but dominating line up of just a few years earlier. Former #1 programs HAPPY DAYS and LAVERNE & SHIRLEY are now ranking in the mid-20s. Not a single new series is able to crack the top 30. It is still doing better than NBC as it has 11 programs in the top 30, to NBC's four programs.

It is about as bad as it can get for NBC. Just four shows in the top 30, but the new series THE A-TEAM cracks the top 10 and cop drama HILL STREET BLUES is loved by critics and gaining some steam with viewers. But better days are ahead of the network. Classic comedies CHEERS and FAMILY TIES are in their freshman year, plus dramas KNIGHT RIDER and REMINGTON STEEL start their runs.

Previous hit programs out of the top 30 are ALICE, which placed #5 the previous season. TOO CLOSE FOR COMFORT is out from being a top 10 hit last season. HOUSE CALLS didn't even make the schedule after ranking 25th the previous season. And one of the few hits NBC had in 1981-82 (#24), THE FACTS OF LIFE, missed getting back  into the top 30.

Top 30 Programs, by household ratings
(households with TVs - 81.5 million)

1. 25.5 - 60 Minutes (CBS)
2. 24.6 - Dallas (CBS)
3. 22.6 - M*A*S*H (CBS)
3. 22.6 - Magnum, P.I. (CBS)
5. 22.4 - Dynasty (ABC)
6. 21.2 - Three's Company (ABC)
7. 21.0 - Simon & Simon (CBS)
8. 20.7 - Falcon Crest (CBS)
9. 20.3 - The Love Boat (ABC)
10. 20.1 - The A-Team (NBC)
10. 20.1 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
12. 20.0 - The Jeffersons (CBS)
12. 20.0 - Knots Landing (CBS)
14. 19.4 - The Fall Guy (ABC)
15. 19.3 - 9 to 5 (ABC)
16. 19.1 - One Day At A Time (CBS)
17. 18.9 - Hart To Hart (ABC)
18. 18.7 - Trapper John, M.D. (CBS)
18. 18.7 - Gloria (CBS)
20. 18.6 - Newhart (CBS)
21. 18.4 - Hill Street Blues (NBC)
22. 18.3 - Archie Bunker's Place (CBS)
22. 18.3 - That's Incredible! (ABC)
24. 18.0 - ABC Monday Night Movie (ABC)
25. 17.8 - Laverne & Shirley (ABC)
26. 17.5 - CBS Tuesday Night Movie (CBS)
27. 17.4 - Happy Days (ABC)
27. 17.4 - Little House: A New Beginning (NBC)
29. 17.2 - Real People (NBC)
29. 17.2 - The Dukes of Hazzard (CBS)