Written Itching Off Shag Ratings Carpets by Bridger Cunningham (former TVRG Writer)
This article is an update to the August 11, 2017 Top 30 card for 1974-75, as TV Ratings Guide has attained complete data from this referenced year. TVRG delivers the first online record of the 1974-75 Nielsen Ratings, having recovered this illusive information from historic newspaper archives. To check out other years' ratings, visit the Ratings History Library.
NBC slightly rebounded after a disastrous season in 1973-74, inching upward and regaining nearly 2 points in their season average. CBS gained one point, and ABC lost a mild portion of their hard-earned ground.
Trending Hot -- CBS sitcoms took 8 of the top 20 places, including the landmark event with Rhoda surpassed its parent, Mary Tyler Moore. Movie nights covered a decent portion of the grid, and a roll of nostalgia became a demand, even for exiting Gunsmoke. Period pieces such as Little House on the Prairie, The Waltons and Happy Days took people back to a simpler time than the swingin' 70's.
Trending Tepid -- Law Enforcement, Medical and Fire shows sounded a quieter alarm this season as Marcus Welby, MD and other shows aged, and Ironside and Adam-12 left NBC after lengthy runs. NBC was weakened in the 70's and managed moderate growth this season.
Trending Cold -- ABC sitcoms had a rough year as Happy Days struggled and dropped from 16th to 47th Place, and Barney Miller was the lowest-rated network series renewal at 68th /Place. In general, the network struggled this season as the competitors exhibited growth vs. loss.
Sources:
2. The Times Records, June 2, 1975 -- https://www.newspapers.com/image/58849538/?terms=1974-75%2BSeason%2BNielsen%2BRatings%2Babc%2Bcbs%2Bnbc