NBC’s climb from bottom to top in the eighties
NBC rose from last place to the No 1 prime time network in the early 1980s, driven by Grant Tinker and Brandon Tartikoff. The network rebuilt with class, loyalty to quality shows like Cheers and Hill Street Blues, and strategic funding of aging hits, ending the 1985-86 season as the most watched network and leader in young adult demographics.
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New York
Grant Tinker
NBC
RCA Board
Wonder
Tinker
MTM
Silverman
Cheers
Robert Niles
Grant
Tartikoff
CBS
NBC’s rise in ratings and early 1980s schedule impact
NBC achieved its first footing atop ratings since 1955 as the Tinker Tartikoff regime built a strong 1982-83 prime time slate. The era launched hits like Cheers and The A Team, rebounded after 1988-84 misfires, and rode a wave of successes including Miami Vice and The Cosby Show while ABC faltered and CBS clung to older shows.
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NBC
Nielsen
Cheers
Remington Steele
St. Elsewhere
WBC
Mr. Smith
ABC
NBC Movies Boosted NBC Status in 1984 85
NBC rose to ratings strength by ending star movie deals and hiring Steve White. NBC’s top movie nights featured Farrah Fawcett in The Burning Bed and Valerie Bertinelli in Shattered Vows. The network’s Monday Night Movie led all network movies in 1984 85, finishing 19th among series.
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New York
NBC
Farrah Fawcett
Brandon Tartikoff
ABC
Fawcett
Valerie Bertinelli
Nielsen
TV Highlights and Movie Parade From Prime Time Listings
A dense digest of TV highlights and film picks across networks and channels. It catalogs titles like The Hawaiians, Limelight, Flash Gordon, A Night To Remember, Coal Miner’s Daughter, and Little Big Man, with star names, time slots, and parental guidance notes, plus events like the Academy of Country Music Awards and American Playhouse presentations.
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Kate & Allie
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Kenneth More
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Sissy Spacek
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NBC News
Carson Price
Academy of Count
Barney Miller
CBS Now
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Newhart
West News
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Academy of Country Music Awards
Letterman
the Bishops
Fraggle Rock
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