TV RATINGS : Audience Isn’t Buying Most New Shows

The fall TV season began to pick up steam last week with the introduction of six new series and the return of many more, but the most-watched shows of the week were old favorites. Only Geraldo Rivera’s NBC special about Satanism cracked the Top 5, although two freshman series--ABC’s “Roseanne” at No. 8 and NBC’s “Dear John” at No. 10--also placed in the Top 10.

* CBS’ third-place week was encapsulated in the reception for Mary Tyler Moore’s new series, “Annie McGuire,” which attracted only 15% of the available audience, ran third in its Wednesday-night time period and ranked 56th for the week. She fared slightly better than former co-star Dick Van Dyke, whose new CBS show placed 62nd.

Show Points Share 1. “The Cosby Show” 26.2 43 (NBC) 2. “Cheers” 24.4 38 (NBC) (season premiere) 3. “A Different World” 23.3 37 (NBC) 4. “60 Minutes” 23.2 36 (CBS) 5. “Devil Worship,” etc. 21.9 33 (NBC) (special) * “Annie McGuire” 9.7 15 (CBS) (premiere)