Behold a rare treasure trove of illusive sitcom data. As promised, TV Ratings Guide continues its ongoing efforts to deliver comprehensive ratings data as it becomes available. Previously, data before 1984 was non-existent in a comprehensive table or list. The September 2, 2017 bulldozed that Nielsen wall, breaking into the 1983-84 data. The overall Ratings History will follow shortly, but not before reporting another leading development in TVRG's ongoing ratings anthology series. After thoroughly researching the internet for ratings, a Star Trek fan check site unveiled valuable data which resurrected a new chain of ratings to report, as they located valued Nielsen Rankings from the 30th-70th Nielsen rankings from an August 1967 article from American Television history. When peering further, not only did this article possess the data from 1966-67, but also had 1964-66 data intact. Nielsen ratings are not revealed, but ranks and shares are reported. This finding, along with a listing of renewed and cancelled shows for the season, crafted enough data for TVRG to compose a Sitcom Scorecard and Ratings History for the year.
Please note this is the 40th entry in the Historic Sitcom Scorecard Article Series, part of TVRG's Ratings Library Anthology Series. One more entry remains before the series concludes in 2017. Potential revivals sometime in 2018 are possible if new data from 1964-84 emerges. However, the series comes to a close until there is more to talk about.
ABC experienced a refreshing spell of Nielsen energy in the 1964-65 season thanks to the twitch of Elizabeth Montgomery's nose on Bewitched. 36 sitcoms traipsed the three broadcast schedules with ABC delivering the 17 majority, including 5 Top 30 entries. However, 10 would leave the air, including 13th place My Three Sons, which enjoyed 5 healthy seasons (and would enjoy 7 more on CBS). Cartoon series began to fade, as newfound Johnny Quest failed to ignite ratings success on a soft Friday.
The copycat trend ran rampant as ABC's The Addams Family and CBS' The Munsters both showcased Middle-Class ghouls dealing with everyday life. ABC's entry grabbed critical acclaim, while CBS' spell grabbed the ratings. Elsewhere, CBS silliness and country roots kept CBS in the front of the pack as they fleshed out 14 sitcom entries with 10 survivors. NBC experienced a rough season and splayed all sitcoms for fish food except Flipper, apparently due to Surgeon Generals warning of sea life being high in Mercury.Sources --
1. http://americanradiohistory.com/Archive-Television-Magazine/Television-1967-Aug.pdf
2.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964%E2%80%9365_United_States_network_television_schedule