Ratings drops continued into the 1987-88 season. Well, for 80's sized standards, that is. In spite of "meager" returns from the market, NBC still ruled by a wide margin as its four top sitcoms crowned the charts. That's old hat, or more appropriately old crown. The real story rests in the remaining not two, but three networks. ABC experienced a 7-percent loss in overall viewers from the reason before dropping below the 13 mark. They were forced to cry on their silver booby prize of, 2nd place! A foreign concept since spring 1984, ABC broke its curse. The opposite fortune afforded new lows for CBS, which had never seen 3rd place for the first time in its 47 years on the air. And FOX experienced double-digit growth due to additional affiliates. Too bad its average fit in multiples of 3 and 4 inside the big-three's ratings.





To check out other years' ratings, visit the Ratings History Library .







