CBS’ ‘HOMETOWN’ IS THE FIRST CASUALTY OF THE NEW SEASON

CBS’ “Hometown” series, which got a jump on the new season by premiering on Aug. 22, is the first casualty of the season. It has been axed because of low ratings, a CBS spokesman said Friday. Its last broadcast is scheduled for Oct. 15.

No replacement has been named for “Hometown,” an hourlong series about a group of friends who first met in the turbulent ‘60s. Critics had likened the program to a small-screen version of the hit movie “The Big Chill.”

“Hometown” initially aired for five weeks on Thursday nights at 10, and then, in a move planned and announced before the program’s premiere, the next four episodes were shifted to Tuesday nights at 8--opposite “The A-Team” on NBC and “Who’s the Boss?” and “Growing Pains” on ABC.

“Hometown’s” ratings had been declining and its cancellation was no surprise. Still, CBS’ action was an inauspicious start for the network’s attempt to combat hard-charging NBC and remain what it has been for six consecutive seasons--first in prime-time ratings.

The 1985-86 season officially began on Monday. A.C. Nielsen Co. ratings for the first week of the season aren’t due until Tuesday.