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TV Ratings Reference

Top 100 Rated TV Shows Of All Time

Categories: TV Ratings Reference

Written By

March 21st, 2009

The list is ordered by rating, not viewership as is typical with the other lists presented on our site. These are not the top 100 with the greatest viewership, but the top 100 ratings. That is, those with the highest percentage of the US TV households at the time that watched them.

Also note that the second column from the right is the number of households viewing not individual viewers as is also typical in lists on our site. Early Nielsen processes didn't count individual viewers.
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Top 100 US TV Telecasts by Rating through February 1, 2009

Rank
Program Net Rating Share
Households (000) Telecast Date
                 
1   M*A*S*H Special CBS 60.2 77    50,150 Feb. 28, 1983
2   Dallas CBS 53.3 76    41,470 Nov. 21, 1980
3   Roots Pt. VIII ABC 51.1 71    36,380 Jan. 30, 1977
4   Super Bowl XVI Game CBS 49.1 73    40,020 Jan. 24, 1982
5   Super Bowl XVII Game NBC 48.6 69    40,480 Jan 30, 1983
6   XVII Winter Olympics - Wed-2 CBS 48.5 64    45,690 Feb. 23, 1994
7   Super Bowl XX Game NBC 48.3 70    41,490 Jan. 26, 1986
8   Gone With The Wind-Pt.1 (Big Event-Pt 1) NBC 47.7 65    33,960 Nov. 7, 1976
9   Gone With The Wind-Pt.2 (NBC Mon.Mov.) NBC 47.4 64    33,750 Nov. 8, 1976
10   Super Bowl XII Game CBS 47.2 67    34,410 Jan. 15, 1978
11   Super Bowl XIII Game NBC 47.1 74    35,090 Jan. 21, 1979
12   Bob Hope Christmas Show NBC 46.6 64    27,260 Jan. 15, 1970
13   Super Bowl XVIII Game CBS 46.4 71    38,880 Jan. 22, 1984
13   Super Bowl XIX Game ABC 46.4 63    39,390 Jan. 20, 1985
15   Super Bowl XIV Game CBS 46.3 67    35,330 Jan. 20, 1980
16   Super Bowl XXX Game NBC 46.0 68    44,150 Jan 28, 1996
16   ABC Sunday Night Movie (The Day After) ABC 46.0 62    38,550 Nov. 20, 1983
18   Roots Pt. VI ABC 45.9 66    32,680 Jan. 28, 1977
18   The Fugitive ABC 45.9 72    25,700 Aug. 29, 1967
20   Super Bowl XXI Game CBS 45.8 66    40,030 Jan. 25, 1987
21   Roots Pt. V ABC 45.7 71    32,540 Jan. 27, 1977
22   Super Bowl XXVIII Game NBC 45.5 66    42,860 Jan. 30, 1994
22   Cheers NBC 45.5 64    42,360 May 20, 1993
24   Ed Sullivan CBS 45.3 60    23,240 Feb. 9, 1964
25   Super Bowl XXVII NBC 45.1 66    41,990 Jan. 31, 1993
26   Bob Hope Christmas Show NBC 45.0 61    27,050 Jan. 14, 1971
27   Roots Pt. III ABC 44.8 68    31,900 Jan. 25, 1977
28   Super Bowl XXXII Game NBC 44.5 67    43,630 Jan. 25, 1998
29   Super Bowl XI Game NBC 44.4 73    31,610 Jan. 9, 1977
29   Super Bowl XV Game NBC 44.4 63    34,540 Jan. 25, 1981
31   Super Bowl VI Game CBS 44.2 74    27,450 Jan. 16, 1972
32   XVII Winter Olympics - Fri-2 CBS 44.1 64    41,540 Feb. 25, 1994
32   Roots Pt. II ABC 44.1 62    31,400 Jan. 24, 1977
34   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 44.0 65    22,570 Jan. 8, 1964
35   Roots Pt. IV ABC 43.8 66    31,190 Jan. 26, 1977
35   Ed Sullivan CBS 43.8 60    22,445 Feb. 16, 1964
37   Super Bowl XXIII Game NBC 43.5 68    39,320 Jan. 22, 1989
38   Academy Awards ABC 43.4 78    25,390 Apr. 7, 1970
39   Super Bowl XXXI Game FOX 43.3 65    42,000 Jan. 26, 1997
39   Super Bowl XXXIV Game ABC 43.3 63    43,618 Jan. 30. 2000
40   Thorn Birds Pt. III ABC 43.2 62    35,990 Mar. 29, 1983
41   Super Bowl XLII Game FOX 43.1 65    48,655 Feb. 3, 2008
41   Thorn Birds Pt. IV ABC 43.1 62    35,900 Mar. 30, 1983
43   CBS NFC Championship Game CBS 42.9 62    34,960 Jan. 10, 1982
44   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.8 62    21,960 Jan. 15, 1964
45   Super Bowl VII Game NBC 42.7 72    27,670 Jan. 14, 1973
46   Super Bowl XLI Game CBS 42.6 64    47,505 Feb. 4, 2007
47   Thorn Birds Pt. II ABC 42.5 59    35,400 Mar. 28, 1983
48   Super Bowl IX Game NBC 42.4 72    29,040 Jan. 12, 1975
48   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.4 60    21,750 Feb. 26, 1964
50   Super Bowl X Game CBS 42.3 78    29,440 Jan. 18, 1976
50   Airport (Movie Specials) ABC 42.3 63    28,000 Nov. 11, 1973
50   Love Story (Sun. Night Mov.) ABC 42.3 62    27,410 Oct. 1, 1972
50   Cinderella CBS 42.3 59    22,250 Feb. 22, 1965
50   Roots Pt. VII ABC 42.3 65    30,120 Jan. 29, 1977
55   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.2 59    21,650 Mar. 25, 1964
56   Super Bowl XLIII Game NBC 42.0 64    48,139 Feb. 1, 2009
56   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.0 61    21,550 Feb. 5, 1964
58   Super Bowl XXV Game ABC 41.9 63    39,010 Jan. 27, 1991
58   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.9 62    21,490 Jan. 29, 1964
58   Super Bowl XXII Game ABC 41.9 62    37,120 Jan. 31, 1988
61   Miss America Pageant CBS 41.8 75    19,600 Sept. 9, 1961
61   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.8 59    21,440 Jan. 1, 1964
63   Super Bowl VIII Game CBS 41.6 73    27,540 Jan. 13, 1974
63   Super Bowl XL Game ABC 41.6 62    45,867 Feb. 5, 2006
63   Bonanza NBC 41.6 62    21,340 Mar. 8, 1964
66   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.5 61    21,290 Jan. 22, 1964
67   Super Bowl XXXVIII CBS 41.4 63    44,908 Feb. 1, 2004
67   Bonanza NBC 41.4 60    21,240 Feb. 16, 1964
69   Seinfeld NBC 41.3 58    40,510 May 14, 1998
69   Super Bowl XXIX Game ABC 41.3 62    39,400 Jan. 29, 1995
69   Bill Cosby Show NBC 41.3 56    36,100 Jan. 22, 1987
72   Academy Awards ABC 41.2 75    22,620 Apr. 10, 1967
73   Super Bowl XXXIX Game FOX 41.1 62    45,081 Feb. 6, 2005
74   Winds Of War - Part 7 ABC 41.0 56    34,150 Feb. 13, 1983
74   Bonanza NBC 41.0 58    21,030 Feb. 9, 1964
76   Gunsmoke CBS 40.9 65    19,182 Jan. 28, 1961
77   Bonanza NBC 40.8 63    21,460 Mar. 28, 1965
78   Super Bowl XXXVII ABC 40.7 61    43,433 Jan. 26, 2003
78   All In The Family CBS 40.7 62    25,270 Jan. 8, 1972
78   Bonanza NBC 40.7 61    21,410 Mar. 7, 1965
81   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.6 59    20,219 Feb. 20, 1963
82   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.5 62    20,169 May 1, 1963
82   Gunsmoke CBS 40.5 64    18,995 Feb. 25, 1961
82   Roots Pt. I ABC 40.5 61    28,840 Jan. 23, 1977
82   Bonanza NBC 40.5 58    20,780 Feb. 2, 1964
86   Super Bowl XXXVI Game FOX 40.4 61    42,664 Feb. 3, 2002
86   Super Bowl XXXV Game CBS 40.4 61    41,270 Jan. 28, 2001
86   Bonanza NBC 40.4 61    21,250 Feb. 21, 1965
89   Miss America CBS 40.3 68    21,200 Sept. 12, 1964
89   Super Bowl XXVI Game CBS 40.3 61    37,120 Jan. 26, 1992
89   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.3 54    20,069 Jan. 23, 1963
92   Super Bowl XXXIII Game FOX 40.2 61    39,992 Jan. 31, 1999
92   Winds Of War - Part 2 ABC 40.2 54    33,490 Feb. 7, 1983
94   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.1 60    20,570 Apr. 8, 1964
94   Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.1 58    19,970 Feb. 13, 1963
94   Gunsmoke CBS 40.1 61    18,807 Feb. 4, 1961
94   Gunsmoke CBS 40.1 65    18,807 Feb. 11, 1961
94   Bonanza NBC 40.1 57    21,090 Feb. 14, 1965
99   Miss America CBS 40.0 72    20,520 Sept. 7, 1963
99   Dallas (B) CBS 40.0 59    31,120 Nov. 9, 1980
99   World Series - Game 6 NBC 40.0 60    31,120 Oct. 21, 1980
99   All In The Family CBS 40.0 58    24,840 Jan. 15, 1972

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Here is the same list ordered by viewing households. I have removed the "rank" column because there could be other shows with higher viewerships that are not on this list.


Program Net Rating Share
Households (000) Telecast Date
M*A*S*H Special CBS 60.2 77   50,150 2/28/83
Super Bowl XLII Game FOX 43.1 65   48,655 2/3/08
Super Bowl XLIII Game NBC 42.0 64   48,139 2/1/09
Super Bowl XLI Game CBS 42.6 64   47,505 2/4/07
Super Bowl XL Game ABC 41.6 62   45,867 2/5/06
XVII Winter Olympics - Wed-2 CBS 48.5 64   45,690 2/23/94
Super Bowl XXXIX Game FOX 41.1 62   45,081 2/6/05
Super Bowl XXXVIII CBS 41.4 63   44,908 2/1/04
Super Bowl XXX Game NBC 46.0 68   44,150 1/28/96
Super Bowl XXXII Game NBC 44.5 67   43,630 1/25/98
Super Bowl XXXIV Game ABC 43.3 63   43,618 1/30/00
Super Bowl XXXVII ABC 40.7 61   43,433 1/26/03
Super Bowl XXVIII Game NBC 45.5 66   42,860 1/30/94
Super Bowl XXXVI Game FOX 40.4 61   42,664 2/3/02
Cheers NBC 45.5 64   42,360 5/20/93
Super Bowl XXXI Game FOX 43.3 65   42,000 1/26/97
Super Bowl XXVII NBC 45.1 66   41,990 1/31/93
XVII Winter Olympics - Fri-2 CBS 44.1 64   41,540 2/25/94
Super Bowl XX Game NBC 48.3 70   41,490 1/26/86
Dallas CBS 53.3 76   41,470 11/21/80
Super Bowl XXXV Game CBS 40.4 61   41,270 1/28/01
Seinfeld NBC 41.3 58   40,510 5/14/98
Super Bowl XVII Game NBC 48.6 69   40,480 1/30/83
Super Bowl XXI Game CBS 45.8 66   40,030 1/25/87
Super Bowl XVI Game CBS 49.1 73   40,020 1/24/82
Super Bowl XXXIII Game FOX 40.2 61   39,992 1/31/99
Super Bowl XXIX Game ABC 41.3 62   39,400 1/29/95
Super Bowl XIX Game ABC 46.4 63   39,390 1/20/85
Super Bowl XXIII Game NBC 43.5 68   39,320 1/22/89
Super Bowl XXV Game ABC 41.9 63   39,010 1/27/91
Super Bowl XVIII Game CBS 46.4 71   38,880 1/22/84
ABC Sunday Night Movie (The Day After) ABC 46.0 62   38,550 11/20/83
Super Bowl XXII Game ABC 41.9 62   37,120 1/31/88
Super Bowl XXVI Game CBS 40.3 61   37,120 1/26/92
Roots Pt. VIII ABC 51.1 71   36,380 1/30/77
Bill Cosby Show NBC 41.3 56   36,100 1/22/87
Thorn Birds Pt. III ABC 43.2 62   35,990 3/29/83
Thorn Birds Pt. IV ABC 43.1 62   35,900 3/30/83
Thorn Birds Pt. II ABC 42.5 59   35,400 3/28/83
Super Bowl XIV Game CBS 46.3 67   35,330 1/20/80
Super Bowl XIII Game NBC 47.1 74   35,090 1/21/79
CBS NFC Championship Game CBS 42.9 62   34,960 1/10/82
Super Bowl XV Game NBC 44.4 63   34,540 1/25/81
Super Bowl XII Game CBS 47.2 67   34,410 1/15/78
Winds Of War - Part 7 ABC 41.0 56   34,150 2/13/83
Gone With The Wind-Pt.1 (Big Event-Pt 1) NBC 47.7 65   33,960 11/7/76
Gone With The Wind-Pt.2 (NBC Mon.Mov.) NBC 47.4 64   33,750 11/8/76
Winds Of War - Part 2 ABC 40.2 54   33,490 2/7/83
Roots Pt. VI ABC 45.9 66   32,680 1/28/77
Roots Pt. V ABC 45.7 71   32,540 1/27/77
Roots Pt. III ABC 44.8 68   31,900 1/25/77
Super Bowl XI Game NBC 44.4 73   31,610 1/9/77
Roots Pt. II ABC 44.1 62   31,400 1/24/77
Roots Pt. IV ABC 43.8 66   31,190 1/26/77
Dallas (B) CBS 40.0 59   31,120 11/9/80
World Series - Game 6 NBC 40.0 60   31,120 10/21/80
Roots Pt. VII ABC 42.3 65   30,120 1/29/77
Super Bowl X Game CBS 42.3 78   29,440 1/18/76
Super Bowl IX Game NBC 42.4 72   29,040 1/12/75
Roots Pt. I ABC 40.5 61   28,840 1/23/77
Airport (Movie Specials) ABC 42.3 63   28,000 11/11/73
Super Bowl VII Game NBC 42.7 72   27,670 1/14/73
Super Bowl VIII Game CBS 41.6 73   27,540 1/13/74
Super Bowl VI Game CBS 44.2 74   27,450 1/16/72
Love Story (Sun. Night Mov.) ABC 42.3 62   27,410 10/1/72
Bob Hope Christmas Show NBC 46.6 64   27,260 1/15/70
Bob Hope Christmas Show NBC 45.0 61   27,050 1/14/71
The Fugitive ABC 45.9 72   25,700 8/29/67
Academy Awards ABC 43.4 78   25,390 4/7/70
All In The Family CBS 40.7 62   25,270 1/8/72
All In The Family CBS 40.0 58   24,840 1/15/72
Ed Sullivan CBS 45.3 60   23,240 2/9/64
Academy Awards ABC 41.2 75   22,620 4/10/67
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 44.0 65   22,570 1/8/64
Ed Sullivan CBS 43.8 60   22,445 2/16/64
Cinderella CBS 42.3 59   22,250 2/22/65
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.8 62   21,960 1/15/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.4 60   21,750 2/26/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.2 59   21,650 3/25/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.0 61   21,550 2/5/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.9 62   21,490 1/29/64
Bonanza NBC 40.8 63   21,460 3/28/65
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.8 59   21,440 1/1/64
Bonanza NBC 40.7 61   21,410 3/7/65
Bonanza NBC 41.6 62   21,340 3/8/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.5 61   21,290 1/22/64
Bonanza NBC 40.4 61   21,250 2/21/65
Bonanza NBC 41.4 60   21,240 2/16/64
Miss America CBS 40.3 68   21,200 9/12/64
Bonanza NBC 40.1 57   21,090 2/14/65
Bonanza NBC 41.0 58   21,030 2/9/64
Bonanza NBC 40.5 58   20,780 2/2/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.1 60   20,570 4/8/64
Miss America CBS 40.0 72   20,520 9/7/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.6 59   20,219 2/20/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.5 62   20,169 5/1/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.3 54   20,069 1/23/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.1 58   19,970 2/13/63
Miss America Pageant CBS 41.8 75   19,600 9/9/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.9 65   19,182 1/28/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.5 64   18,995 2/25/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.1 61   18,807 2/4/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.1 65   18,807 2/11/61

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And here is the same list ordered by date.

Program Net Rating Share
Households (000) Telecast Date
Super Bowl XLIII Game NBC 42.0 64   48,139 2/1/09
Super Bowl XLII Game FOX 43.1 65   48,655 2/3/08
Super Bowl XLI Game CBS 42.6 64   47,505 2/4/07
Super Bowl XL Game ABC 41.6 62   45,867 2/5/06
Super Bowl XXXIX Game FOX 41.1 62   45,081 2/6/05
Super Bowl XXXVIII CBS 41.4 63   44,908 2/1/04
Super Bowl XXXVII ABC 40.7 61   43,433 1/26/03
Super Bowl XXXVI Game FOX 40.4 61   42,664 2/3/02
Super Bowl XXXV Game CBS 40.4 61   41,270 1/28/01
Super Bowl XXXIV Game ABC 43.3 63   43,618 1/30/00
Super Bowl XXXIII Game FOX 40.2 61   39,992 1/31/99
Seinfeld NBC 41.3 58   40,510 5/14/98
Super Bowl XXXII Game NBC 44.5 67   43,630 1/25/98
Super Bowl XXXI Game FOX 43.3 65   42,000 1/26/97
Super Bowl XXX Game NBC 46.0 68   44,150 1/28/96
Super Bowl XXIX Game ABC 41.3 62   39,400 1/29/95
XVII Winter Olympics - Fri-2 CBS 44.1 64   41,540 2/25/94
XVII Winter Olympics - Wed-2 CBS 48.5 64   45,690 2/23/94
Super Bowl XXVIII Game NBC 45.5 66   42,860 1/30/94
Cheers NBC 45.5 64   42,360 5/20/93
Super Bowl XXVII NBC 45.1 66   41,990 1/31/93
Super Bowl XXVI Game CBS 40.3 61   37,120 1/26/92
Super Bowl XXV Game ABC 41.9 63   39,010 1/27/91
Super Bowl XXIII Game NBC 43.5 68   39,320 1/22/89
Super Bowl XXII Game ABC 41.9 62   37,120 1/31/88
Super Bowl XXI Game CBS 45.8 66   40,030 1/25/87
Bill Cosby Show NBC 41.3 56   36,100 1/22/87
Super Bowl XX Game NBC 48.3 70   41,490 1/26/86
Super Bowl XIX Game ABC 46.4 63   39,390 1/20/85
Super Bowl XVIII Game CBS 46.4 71   38,880 1/22/84
ABC Sunday Night Movie (The Day After) ABC 46.0 62   38,550 11/20/83
Thorn Birds Pt. IV ABC 43.1 62   35,900 3/30/83
Thorn Birds Pt. III ABC 43.2 62   35,990 3/29/83
Thorn Birds Pt. II ABC 42.5 59   35,400 3/28/83
M*A*S*H Special CBS 60.2 77   50,150 2/28/83
Winds Of War - Part 7 ABC 41.0 56   34,150 2/13/83
Winds Of War - Part 2 ABC 40.2 54   33,490 2/7/83
Super Bowl XVII Game NBC 48.6 69   40,480 1/30/83
Super Bowl XVI Game CBS 49.1 73   40,020 1/24/82
CBS NFC Championship Game CBS 42.9 62   34,960 1/10/82
Super Bowl XV Game NBC 44.4 63   34,540 1/25/81
Dallas CBS 53.3 76   41,470 11/21/80
Dallas (B) CBS 40.0 59   31,120 11/9/80
World Series - Game 6 NBC 40.0 60   31,120 10/21/80
Super Bowl XIV Game CBS 46.3 67   35,330 1/20/80
Super Bowl XIII Game NBC 47.1 74   35,090 1/21/79
Super Bowl XII Game CBS 47.2 67   34,410 1/15/78
Roots Pt. VIII ABC 51.1 71   36,380 1/30/77
Roots Pt. VII ABC 42.3 65   30,120 1/29/77
Roots Pt. VI ABC 45.9 66   32,680 1/28/77
Roots Pt. V ABC 45.7 71   32,540 1/27/77
Roots Pt. IV ABC 43.8 66   31,190 1/26/77
Roots Pt. III ABC 44.8 68   31,900 1/25/77
Roots Pt. II ABC 44.1 62   31,400 1/24/77
Roots Pt. I ABC 40.5 61   28,840 1/23/77
Super Bowl XI Game NBC 44.4 73   31,610 1/9/77
Gone With The Wind-Pt.2 (NBC Mon.Mov.) NBC 47.4 64   33,750 11/8/76
Gone With The Wind-Pt.1 (Big Event-Pt 1) NBC 47.7 65   33,960 11/7/76
Super Bowl X Game CBS 42.3 78   29,440 1/18/76
Super Bowl IX Game NBC 42.4 72   29,040 1/12/75
Super Bowl VIII Game CBS 41.6 73   27,540 1/13/74
Airport (Movie Specials) ABC 42.3 63   28,000 11/11/73
Super Bowl VII Game NBC 42.7 72   27,670 1/14/73
Love Story (Sun. Night Mov.) ABC 42.3 62   27,410 10/1/72
Super Bowl VI Game CBS 44.2 74   27,450 1/16/72
All In The Family CBS 40.0 58   24,840 1/15/72
All In The Family CBS 40.7 62   25,270 1/8/72
Bob Hope Christmas Show NBC 45.0 61   27,050 1/14/71
Academy Awards ABC 43.4 78   25,390 4/7/70
Bob Hope Christmas Show NBC 46.6 64   27,260 1/15/70
The Fugitive ABC 45.9 72   25,700 8/29/67
Academy Awards ABC 41.2 75   22,620 4/10/67
Bonanza NBC 40.8 63   21,460 3/28/65
Bonanza NBC 40.7 61   21,410 3/7/65
Cinderella CBS 42.3 59   22,250 2/22/65
Bonanza NBC 40.4 61   21,250 2/21/65
Bonanza NBC 40.1 57   21,090 2/14/65
Miss America CBS 40.3 68   21,200 9/12/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.1 60   20,570 4/8/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.2 59   21,650 3/25/64
Bonanza NBC 41.6 62   21,340 3/8/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.4 60   21,750 2/26/64
Ed Sullivan CBS 43.8 60   22,445 2/16/64
Bonanza NBC 41.4 60   21,240 2/16/64
Ed Sullivan CBS 45.3 60   23,240 2/9/64
Bonanza NBC 41.0 58   21,030 2/9/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.0 61   21,550 2/5/64
Bonanza NBC 40.5 58   20,780 2/2/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.9 62   21,490 1/29/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.5 61   21,290 1/22/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 42.8 62   21,960 1/15/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 44.0 65   22,570 1/8/64
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 41.8 59   21,440 1/1/64
Miss America CBS 40.0 72   20,520 9/7/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.5 62   20,169 5/1/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.6 59   20,219 2/20/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.1 58   19,970 2/13/63
Beverly Hillbillies CBS 40.3 54   20,069 1/23/63
Miss America Pageant CBS 41.8 75   19,600 9/9/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.5 64   18,995 2/25/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.1 65   18,807 2/11/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.1 61   18,807 2/4/61
Gunsmoke CBS 40.9 65   19,182 1/28/61

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Nielsen TV Ratings: ©2009 The Nielsen Company. All Rights Reserved.

(187) Comments - Add Yours!

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1 2 3 4
  1. Chris
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 7:23 AM

    Where’s the friends final? Didn’t that get like 50 million viewers? And ER was getting 30 mil at some points

  2. Julia
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 7:28 AM

    Chris, these are not lists of viewers, but by households and ratings.

  3. Alex
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 7:45 AM

    Nothing outside of the Super Bowl makes this list from the past decade – that’s a little sad.

  4. Alex
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 7:45 AM

    But not I should add unexpected.

  5. johnthemon
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    cool…alex yeah sadly. If it were up to me every episode of Chuck would be on here!!!

  6. johnthemon
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 8:08 AM

    okay that sounded really fanboyish…haha. Anyway, kind of disheartening that only superbowls can be really big these days.

  7. clutz
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 8:44 AM

    I guess we see the Super Bowl rise in popularity in the 80′s – had some dominance starting in the 90′s. The 70′s and 80′s were huge on mega-rated mini-series and TV movies (I count the MASH special finale as a movie of sorts)? When is the last time a mini-series or TV movie stirred much interest?

    And oh, how mighty NBC has fallen! The only non-sports events of the past 25 years were NBC sitcom finales.

  8. Joe
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    You have no idea how happy i am to see Game 6 of the 1980 World Series crack the list….Go Phillies!!!!!

  9. Bill Gorman
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 8:59 AM

    Since this is a ratings ranking, more recent telecasts are at a big disadvantage. Older telecasts had far fewer TV alternatives to compete with. When there were only 3 broadcast alternatives getting a 40 rating (40% of TV households watching) for simply a regular weekly series airing was possible!

  10. Chad
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:01 AM

    Chris the friends final did 52.5 Million

  11. Rrr
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:10 AM

    Very uninteresting !
    It’s Superbowl, superbowl, superbowl…
    And I think the top is wrong, ER get a 42 million in its fourth season and Friends a 52 in its ten season.

  12. Bill Gorman
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:12 AM

    Rrr and others, the viewing numbers are Households not individual viewers. I will add some copy to clarify.

  13. Melissa
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:15 AM

    Wow, a Miss America pageant on this list. My how times have changed. Any idea what episode of Dallas is #2? My guess would be “Who shot JR”

    I’d be curious to see a list that did not include Superbowls. They are always bringing in huge numbers and I’m more curious about series finales, awards shows, etc.

  14. Bill Gorman
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:17 AM

    Melissa, yes, the November 21, 1980 Dallas episode was the one that revealed “Who Shot JR?”

    List crazy person that I am, I’d like to see those other sorts of lists too, but sadly we don’t compile these, we get them through the generosity of Nielsen Media, so we take what we can get!

  15. DD
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:28 AM

    The Beverly Hillbillies must have been the American Idol of its time.

  16. cool
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:54 AM

    Where’s Chuck and Dollhouse :(

    jk

  17. Anthony
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 9:58 AM

    What was so special about the 1994 Winter Olympics?

  18. Robert Seidman
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 10:00 AM

    Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan drama

  19. 5506
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 10:29 AM

    I can’t believe that all of the episodes of “roots” are in the top 100 shows of all time. THAT’S OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  20. Jose
    Posted March 21, 2009 at 11:23 AM

    So were the shows of 1950′s taken into account? Doesn’t seem like it.

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