TV RATINGS : ‘Brady Christmas’ Gives CBS Big Boost

Nineteen years after they first burst upon the television scene, the fictional Brady family still appeals to America. Their Christmas movie on CBS Sunday night was the second most-watched program on television last week, attracting viewers in nearly 22.7 million homes, according to figures released Tuesday by the A.C. Nielsen Co. That performance helped propel CBS to runner-up status in the week’s prime-time averages, behind NBC but ahead of ABC, which is still running second for the season as a whole. The full list of last week’s ratings is on Page 13.

* Among ABC’s problems is “Dynasty,” the one-time ratings champion that has fallen on hard times in its move this season to a 9 p.m. Thursday slot opposite NBC’s high-flying “Cheers.” The soap opera about Blake Carrington and his filthy rich brood was seen in about 9.7 million homes last week, compared to the 12.7 million it averaged last season.

Show Points Share 1. “The Cosby Show” (NBC) 25.9 42 2. “A Very Brady Christmas” (CBS) 25.1 39 3. “A Different World” (NBC) 24.2 39 4. “Cheers” (NBC) 23.7 37 5. “Roseanne” (ABC) 22.9 35 * “Dynasty” (ABC) 10.7 17