Television Ratings: 1950s Part 4

A TOP 10 Nielsen ratings that charts changes over two seasons for selected popular shows of the 1950s. Check out my TOP 20 ratings charts (Parts 1-6) for the 1960s and (Parts 1-5) for the 1970s.

Wrapping up the 1950s, Westerns dominated the top 10 spots with the top three unwavering. Have Gun, Will Travel finished its run in top form. Wanted: Dead or Alive made its only appearance in its next-to-last season. The Danny Thomas Show remained solid among all the dusty gunplay, while the popular Father Knows Best finished its run with its highest rating.

Television Ratings: 1970s Part 4

TV NIELSENS 1970s: (L-R: 76-77/77-78) 

A viewer shift began as two nostalgia sitcoms, Happy Days and Laverne & Shirley, traded the number one spot. Baretta (gray) broke into the top ten for the only time. Charlie's Angels remained steady while Welcome Back, Kotter reached its high point before disappearing after the novelty wore thin. Two shows (lavender) remained solid, with The Love Boat honing in at 14. Jack Webb's 1978 series, Project UFO (yellow), made its only appearance in the top 20 before being canceled in 1979. Of note is the umbrella program, The Big Event 1976-77 (orange), re-titled from NBC Sunday Night Movie in the hope that something from the network might stick. The production was shown at various times and days to gauge viewership patterns. In addition to the major films it broadcast, it also featured concerts, sporting events, and original television movies. 

Television Ratings: 1960s Part 4

There were only three NBC series making Nielsen's top 20 for 1964-65. They gained one show the following season. Branded did not return and both Get Smart and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. fell from the top 20 after 1966. (1964-66 Oct-Apr)

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