Classic TV Ratings and Rankings: 1987-88

NBC continues to roll as the #1 network, placing 19 programs into the top 30, including the top four shows of the season. A DIFFERENT WORLD, a spin-off from THE COSBY SHOW, is the top rated freshman series, ranking second overall. A total of five NBC freshman series make it into the top 30, with only AARON'S WAY, starring Merlin Olsen, failing to make it to a second season.

ABC moves ahead of CBS, placing six shows in the top 30, lead by sitcoms GROWING PAINS (#5) and WHO'S THE BOSS (#6). New comedy, THE WONDER YEARS, is debuts in the #10 spot for the network.

CBS only pushes four shows in the top 30, one for each genre. 60 MINUTES (#8), MURDER SHE WROTE (#9), CBS SUNDAY MOVIE (#18) and NEWHART (#26). Its Monday night comedy line up is in shambles with new comedies missing the boat and aging shows, like KATE & ALLIE, shedding viewers.

Top 30 Programs, by household ratings (households with TVs - 88.6 million)

1.  27.8 - The Cosby Show (NBC)
2.  25.0 - A Different World (NBC)
3.  23.7 - Cheers (NBC)
4. 21.8 - The Golden Girls (NBC)
5.  21.5 - Growing Pains (ABC)
6.  21.2 - Who's the Boss? (ABC)
7.  21.0 - Night Court (NBC)
8.  20.6 - 60 Minutes (CBS)
9.  20.2 - Murder, She Wrote (CBS)
10.  18.8 - The Wonder Years (ABC)
11.  18.8 - Alf (NBC)
12.  18.3 - Moonlighting (ABC)  
13.  18.3 - L.A. Law (NBC)
14.  18.2 - Monday Night Football (ABC)
15.  17.8 - Matlock (NBC) 
16.  17.5 - Amen (NBC) 
17.  17.4 - Family Ties (NBC)
18.  17.2 - CBS Sunday Night Movie (CBS)
19.  17.0 - In The Heat Of the Night (NBC) 
20.  17.0 - Valerie's Family (NBC)
21.  16.8 - My Two Dads (NBC)
22.  16.8 - Dallas (CBS)
23.  16.7 - NBC Sunday Night Movie (NBC)  
24.  16.7 - NBC Monday Night Movie (NBC)
25.  16.7 - Head of the Class (ABC)
26.  16.5 - Newhart (CBS)
27.  16.3 - 227 (NBC) 
28.  16.1 - Hunter (NBC) 
29.  16.1 - Days & Nights of Molly Dodd (NBC)
30.  16.0 - Aaron's Way (NBC)

New Series in bold