Walters’ Special Helps ABC Stay in First Place

Barbara Walters’ special helped push ABC into first place for the third consecutive week--something that has not happened since 1981--while NBC made it to second after three weeks in the cellar, it was reported today.

Since ABC defeated NBC by only a tenth of a ratings point, Walters was a major factor. Her special came in tied for eighth, with an 18.3 rating and a 31 share. That’s her usual range; Walters’ special in November, 1990, ranked sixth with an 18.4 rating and a 32 share.

Walters’ success also probably helped the show that preceded it, “Anything But Love,” which returned to ABC and tied for 29th, winning its time period.

If Walters was a triumph, ABC met the same fate at Little Big Horn as did Gen. Custer, with whom its expensive miniseries “Son of the Morning Star” dealt. Part 2 came in tied for 42nd place in the ratings. Part 1, which aired the previous week, also came in 42nd.

Custer’s poor standing doomed ABC’s chances for a Monday night win, which went to CBS’ comedies, particularly “Murphy Brown” in sixth and “Designing Women” in seventh. NBC’s Monday movie, “The Marla Hanson Story,” came in 26th.

The Sunday movie battle proved that everybody still loves Lucy. The CBS offering, “Lucy & Desi: Before the Laughter,” tied for 17th, followed by ABC’s theatrical “Big” in 28th and NBC’s “The Chase” tied for 29th.

NBC’s traditional problems include Friday and early Sunday nights. “Dark Shadows,” which the network hoped would draw blood from the Friday opposition, finished 68th. Worse, on Sunday “Sunday Best” and “Real Life With Jane Pauley” came in an ominous tie for 90th on a list of 94 shows, with only a trio of Fox shows ranking lower.

“Expose,” which follows “Real Life,” came in 82nd.

In nights of the week, ABC took Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, NBC won only its predictable Thursday and Saturday, while CBS took Sunday and Monday.

NBC had only two of the top 10--including No. 1 “Cheers”--which is a comedown for the network that in recent years has dominated the ratings race. ABC had five of the top 10 and CBS three. NBC did come up with eight of the top 20.

The ratings for the week saw ABC win with a 12.8 rating and a 21 share, while NBC came in second with a 12.7 rating and a 21 share. CBS was third with a 12.2 rating and a 20 share.

The season-to-date race remains the tightest in years, with only .5 of a ratings point separating the three networks. NBC leads with a 12.8 rating and a 21 share, followed closely by ABC with a 12.6 rating and a 21 share. CBS is close behind with a 12.3 rating and a 20 share.

ABC continued to dominate the evening news ratings, but evening news remains good news for NBC, which clung to second for the fifth week in a row. ABC’s “World News Tonight” with Peter Jennings had a 12.4 rating and a 22 share, trailed by “NBC Nightly News” with Tom Brokaw earning a 10.0 rating and an 18 share. “CBS Evening News” with Dan Rather had a 9.9 rating and an 18 share.

THE TOP 10

The top 10 programs for the week ending Sunday, according to the A.C. Nielsen Co.: 1. Cheers (NBC)

2. 60 Minutes (CBS)

3. America’s Funniest Home Videos

(ABC)

4. (tie) Roseanne (ABC)

America’s Funniest People

(ABC)

6. Murphy Brown (CBS)

7. Designing Women (CBS)

8. (tie) Family Matters (ABC)

Barbara Walters special (ABC)

10. Golden Girls (NBC)