How They Rank

The Nielsen ratings at Halloween time usually bring out the network broomsticks. These are the key Nielsens --following, as they do, sufficient exposure of the new season's programming.* After studying the results, the networks make their go-no-go decisions. This season the decisions are just a little more difficult to make, since many specials--political, entertainment, the Olympics--pre-empted regular shows.

Altogether, the new Nielsens indicate that the strongest shows are from last year's schedules. Julia is the only newcomer that cracked the top ten. The list:

1) Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In (NBC)

2) Mayberry R.F.D. (CBS)

3) GomerPyle--U.SM.C. (CBS) and Julia (NBC)

5) Family Affair (CBS)

6) Bonanza (NBC)

7) Here's Lucy (CBS) and The CBS Thursday Night Movie (Doris Day in The Glass Bottom Boat)

9) The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS) 10) Ironside (NBC)

The bottom five? ABC's Journey to the Unknown is last (84th), slightly behind the CBS public-affairs series 60 Minutes and ABC's Felony Squad. In 81st place was a half-hour CBS pre-emption paid for by and starring Richard Nixon. That poor draw need not necessarily encourage the Democrats. Three nights later, Hubert Humphrey acquired the same CBS time slot for a similar show. He finished 80th, one Nielsen decimal point ahead of Nixon.

* Nielsen figures show percentages of TV households tuned to a particular show, measured chiefly by means of meters that are attached to sets in 1,170 U.S. homes.

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