Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1986-87

We are now seeing the powerhouse that NBC finally became in the late 80's and the 90's. The network takes four of the top five spots on the chart, and pushes three new series into the top 30. LA LAW debuts, originally on Fridays, but moves into the Thursday 10 PM slot that the network would dominate for the next 15 to 20 years.

CBS has a solid hold on second place, taking nine spots in the top 30. Its top rated program, MURDER SHE WROTE, was the #4 program overall.

ABC is starting to show its age. Former #1 show, DYNASTY, is now ranked 24th. Its Tuesday shows, WHO'S THE BOSS, GROWING PAINS and MOONLIGHTING all rank within the top 10, but ABC would only have one other show, MONDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL, included in the top 20.

Top 30 Programs, by household ratings (households with TVs - 87.4 million)

1. 34.9 - The Cosby Show (NBC)
2. 32.7 - Family Ties (NBC)
3. 27.2 - Cheers (NBC)
4. 25.4 - Murder, She Wrote (CBS)
5. 24.5 - The Golden Girls (NBC)
6. 23.3 - 60 Minutes (CBS)
7. 23.2 - Night Court (NBC)
8. 22.7 - Growing Pains (ABC)
9. 22.4 - Moonlighting (ABC)
10. 22.0 - Who's the Boss? (ABC)
11. 21.3 - Dallas (CBS)
12. 19.5 - Newhart (CBS)
13. 19.4 - Amen (NBC)
14. 18.9 - 227 (NBC)
15. 18.6 - CBS Sunday Night Movie (CBS)
16. 18.6 - NBC Monday Night Movie (NBC)
17. 18.6 - Matlock (NBC)
18. 18.4 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
19. 18.3 - Kate & Allie (CBS)
20. 18.2 - NBC Sunday Night Movie (NBC)
21. 17.4 - My Sister Sam (CBS)
22. 17.4 - L.A. Law (NBC)
23. 17.3 - Falcon Crest (CBS)
24. 17.2 - Dynasty (ABC)
25. 17.2 - Highway to Heaven (NBC)
26. 16.8 - Knots Landing (CBS)
27. 16.8 - Miami Vice (NBC)
28. 16.5 - ALF (NBC)
29. 16.5 - Hunter (NBC)
30. 16.4 - Head of the Class (ABC)

New series in bold