Fox Flexes Its Muscles

Fox Broadcasting’s hot summer ratings continued Sunday as the fledgling network beat ABC, CBS and NBC in head-to-head competition from 8 to 9 p.m. for the first time in its three-year history. On the A. C. Nielsen chart released Tuesday, the Fox tandem of “America’s Most Wanted” and “Totally Hidden Video” placed 29th and 31st, respectively, with “Most Wanted” reaching 22 percent of the viewing audience, a record for Fox. One reason for Fox’s success was the absence of CBS’ “Murder, She Wrote,” a Top 10 show that was preempted by an episode of the Lee Horsley Western “Paradise.” The full ratings list is on Page 9.

*There was more good news for Fox as its Saturday night series earned its highest share to date. Moving to Portland from Broward County, Fla., the second-season debut fared better than several network shows, including the last four installments of the CBS’ comedy “Fresno.”

TV RATINGS

Show Points Share 1.”Cheers” 17.4 32 NBC 2.”Roseanne” 17.4 31 ABC 3.”A Different World” 16.5 31 NBC 4.”The Cosby Show” 16.4 33 NBC 5.”Dear John” 16.0 29 NBC *”Cops” 5.9 14 Fox