Television Ratings: 1970s Part 3

TV NIELSENS 1970s: (L-R: 74-75/75-76)

The new fad in sitcoms where serious issues are juxtaposed with comedy is led by All In The Family. Four shows (orange) premiered strongly, as did two The Mary Tyler Moore Show spin-offs (yellow). Moore's show, The Waltons, and M.A.S.H. dropped viewership while seven gimmick police/P.I. shows (gray) remain in the bottom ten. The Rockford Files never again ranked in the top twenty, but its fan base skyrocketed in syndication. 

Television Ratings: 1970s Part 2

TV NIELSENS 1970s: (L-R: 72-73/73-74)

There is consistent viewership for the top six shows. Norman Lear's invasion with All In The Family and Maude proved to be strong contenders. Cannon and The Bob Newhart Show increased their popularity while The Six Million Dollar Man, Happy Days, and Good Times (yellow) started their series on a positive. Gunsmoke remains the only primetime western in the top 20, but the sun is setting for Here's Lucy and The Partridge Family (orange).