Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1985-86

NBC is finally becoming the top network in America. It has the #1 show in the sitcom, THE COSBY SHOW, The #2 show in FAMILY TIES and a total of five shows in the top 10. NBC also has the most shows in the top 30, with 14 series, including two nights of movies and the comedy, VALERIE (#26), which would later become THE HOGAN FAMILY.

CBS slips to the #2 network, but still a force in the ratings. It has three series in the top six, lead by MURDER SHE WROTE at #3. The network has another seven shows within the top 30, but only two of those shows are comedies. KATE & ALLIE (#14) and NEWHART (#16).

Dark times are ahead for ABC. Last season, it had the #1 show in DYNASTY. It is still the top show of the network, but it only ranks 7th this season and is just one of six shows for ABC, in the top 30.

Five freshmen series made the top 30, lead by NBC's classic comedy, GOLDEN GIRLS, at the #8 spot. At #19, YOU AGAIN, starring Jack Klugman and John Stamos, is the only one of the five not to produce at least 30 episodes. It was cancelled halfway of its second season.

Top 30 Programs, by household ratings (households with TVs - 85.9 million)

1. 28.9 - The Cosby Show (NBC)
2. 25.8 - Family Ties (NBC)
3. 21.7 - Murder, She Wrote (CBS)
4. 20.5 - 60 Minutes (CBS)
5. 20.4 - Cheers (NBC)
6. 18.8 - Dallas (CBS)
7. 18.7 - Dynasty (ABC)
8. 18.7 - The Golden Girls (NBC)
9. 18.3 - Miami Vice (NBC)
10. 18.1 - Who's the Boss? (ABC)
11. 18.0 - Night Court (NBC)
12. 17.6 - CBS Sunday Night Movie (CBS)
13. 17.3 - Highway to Heaven (NBC)
14. 17.2 - Kate & Allie (CBS)
15. 17.0 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
16. 16.8 - Newhart (CBS)
17. 16.8 - Knots Landing (CBS)
18. 16.8 - Growing Pains (ABC)
19. 16.5 - You Again (NBC)
20. 16.1 - 227 (NBC)
21. 15.9 - NBC Sunday Night Movie (NBC)
22. 15.7 - Hotel (ABC)
23. 15.7 - NBC Monday Night Movie (NBC)
24. 15.5 - Moonlighting (ABC)
25. 15.5 - Falcon Crest (CBS)
26. 15.5 - Valerie (NBC)
27. 15.2 - The Facts of Life (NBC)
28. 14.9 - Scarecrow & Mrs. King (CBS)
29. 14.8 - Simon & Simon (CBS)
30. 14.5 - The A-Team (NBC)

New series in bold