1973-74 Sitcom Scorecard -- The Brady Bunch and Partridge Family Foreclose in a Network Sitcom Purge

Written With Ratings as Flat as Brady Bunch Roof by Bridger Cunningham

Behold a rare treasure trove as TV Ratings Guide makes history as the first site to feature ratings data for syndication juggernaut The Brady Bunch.  A durable rerun player for over 5 decades, it failed to generate ratings fire during its Primetime run, ending in a mediocre tie for 54th place among the 80 shows.  TBB never cracked the top 30 as it aired in a less desired Friday timeslot, albeit it amassed 5 sturdy seasons to live on forever.

The 1973-74 season was a harsh climate for television shows as everything below 43rd place was cancelled, save for movie nights.  On the sitcom front, the genre comprised one-third of primetime shows.  Sadly, only 9 of the 27 entries returned the following season.  CBS swept the top of the chart with 6 of their laugh factories returning as they landed in the top 20.  ABC handed out two golden renewals to only 2 shows -- new sensation Happy Days, and aging Odd Couple (the origina, not the dreadful 2015 revival).  And NBC, who fared the harshest cancellation fates this season, only spared Sanford and Son.  Good Times and Happy Days were the only freshman sitcoms of the 12 offerings to return.

10 Freshman sitcoms failed, 2nd season Temperatures Rising and The Brian Keith Show never survived ABC's chopping block, and CBS's Dick Van Dyke revival turned old with a dismal 3rd season.  The remaining 6 shows axed possessed long runs worthy of syndication.  CBS turned Lucille Ball's last successful sitcom, Here's Lucy, blood red after 6 seasons.  ABC tossed a nickle severance to Brady Bunch, Love American Style and Room 222 after 5 seasons, and the Partridge Family's disastrous last season ended with four fingers into the rerun glass.  1974 ended the flat-housed technicolor era and turned laughs serious via social relevance on CBS.

Source -- http://startrekfactcheck.blogspot.com/2014/07/the-truth-about-star-trek-and-ratings.html

1971-72 Sitcom Scorecard -- All in The Family Keeps CBS in Front, ABC Keeps Sitcom Stable Full

Written Uncovering More Treasure Troves by Bridger Cunningham.

Did readers really think the Historic Sitcom Scorecard Series was kaput?   Guess again!  The 1971-72 data has been located, revealing rare data such as previously undisclosed Brady Bunch ratings and the last season of Bewitched.  CBS ruled the season in overall ratings and sitcoms by a wide margin in their post Rural Purge season, with NBC in a close second in overall ratings.  However, ABC gave NBC a run for their money in sitcom performance.

CBS enjoyed a victorious season as All in the Family, The Mary Tyler Moore Show and The Lucy Show became its marquee staples in its lineup.  ABC continued to enjoy success with The Partridge Family, Room 222 and The Brady Bunch, which narrowly chased the top 30.  And NBC found Sanford and Son a welcome hit after blading its sitcom roster in entirety the prior season.  Beyond that, the hills ran red with sitcom blood.

CBS shed half of its lineup and dispensed 6 sitcoms, most notably the longstanding My Three Sons after 12 seasons.  The remains underperformed under 40th Place, a clear cut for sitcom renewals.  ABC also dispensed half of its lineup, most notably former top-10 juggernaut Bewitched after 8 seasons.  And NBC could not locate a running companion with Sanford and Son, bouncing three freshman sitcoms.

Source -- Chicago Tribune, May 30, 1972, Page 29. https://www.newspapers.com/image/377065513/?terms=ratings%2Bnbc%2Babc%2B71.%2Bthe%2B11.4%2Bbewitched%2Bside&match=29

1969-70 Sitcom Scorecard -- CBS Mops The Floor Again, 18-49 Demos Tell Different Story

Written Cashing in on a 47th Jewel by Bridger Cunningham.

Ever groan when a franchise declares a "final" installment after endless sequels?  The Friday the 13th Franchise has done it multiple times, much like the Historic Sitcom series here on TVRG.  Back when this project began in Summer of 2017, 32 entries were anticipated as the hard data wall for historic ratings appeared to be 1984.  As the cards rounded the bend in late summer, a thorough screening of old Newspaper articles turned up 7 additional years of data, augmenting the series to 36 of the 37 years.  As the series was declared concluded on December 9, 2017, more data came about!  Not only did TVRG comprise the first compilation of the evasive 2008-09 season, but seven more entries came about in the earlier part of this year.  Then yesterday, April 25, 2018 was declared "the final" entry, again, bringing the total to the series until the 2017-18 data is unveiled, bringing the total to 47.

One day later, MORE data has been unearthed.  The Top 60 entries for the 1969-70 season have been located, along with several key demographics.  Additionally, a full list of data is uncovered for 1972-73, and partial data of Top 40 and Top 51 showings will be coming for 1967-69.  This means TVRG shall have 51 Historic Sitcom Scorecards by summer, and 51 of the 68 years profiled with more data than any singular site on the net.  And TVRG now holds the distinct honor of populating more Brady Bunch ratings data than ever available before.  Enjoy the peak!  The 1969-70 entry has 2/3 of ratings data as the last 31 shows are unranked.

This, along with other diverse entries of ratings data can be found in the TVRG Ratings Library, located at the following link: http://www.tvratingsguide.com/2018/01/tvrg-ratings-library.html 

The overall Household Ratings ruled the majority in 1970 for renewal decisions.  By this depiction, CBS clearly won the race with their slapstick and rural sitcoms.  2nd Place NBC housed a mere 3 entries this season of the 26, with only one surviving.  Little is known about The Debbie Reynolds show, except the marquee star would rather watch the show burn than a crass cigarette sponsor headlining the series.  ABC appeared to trail this season, but renewed six of their series, including cult classic The Brady Bunch.

Thanks to a  clever article showcasing all demographics, today's coveted 18-49 Adult Demo is present, and it tells a differing story.  The 6th season of Bewitched struggled due to Dick Sargent replacing Dick York as Darren, and the series tunneled to 22nd Place, 8th out of the 26 entries.  Dissect the demo, and Bewitched was in 1st!  In HH ratings, boiler plate Here's Lucy was the 1st Place sitcom and shifted down to 9th in 18-49.  Check the two charts and enjoy a scrambled game of how did the sitcoms do this season.

Source -- https://i1.wp.com/jacksonupperco.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/91670-Ratings-by-Demo-for-69-Feb70-3.png?ssl=1

1971-72 Ratings History

Written Questioning Networks Changing Direction by Bridger Cunningham (former TVRG Writer)