Here are the top ten programs for the two-week period running Sunday, December 11th through Saturday, December 24th, 1955. The first table lists the top ten by households and the second by rating.
It was another relatively normal week, with the same familiar shows filling both lists. Private Secretary aired on Sunday, December 11th while The Jack Benny Program aired on Sunday, December 18th with special guest Frances Bergen. Disneyland featured “Davy Crockett and The River Priates” on Wednesday, December 14th and “Dumbo” on Wednesday, December 21st.
Number of TV Homes Reached | |||
---|---|---|---|
## | Program | Network | Homes |
1. | $64,000 Question | CBS | 14,796,000 |
2. | I Love Lucy | CBS | 14,695,000 |
3. | Ed Sullivan Show | CBS | 14,628,000 |
4. | Disneyland | ABC | 12,380,000 |
5. | Jack Benny Show | CBS | 11,977,000 |
6. | Private Secretary | CBS | 11,508,000 |
7. | General Electric Theatre | CBS | 11,474,000 |
8. | December Bride | CBS | 11,206,000 |
9. | I’ve Got a Secret | CBS | 11,105,000 |
10. | You Bet Your Life | NBC | 10,904,000 |
Percent of TV Homes Reached | |||
---|---|---|---|
## | Program | Network | Rating (%) |
1. | $64,000 Question | CBS | 46.1 |
2. | Ed Sullivan Show | CBS | 45.9 |
3. | I Love Lucy | CBS | 45.3 |
4. | Disneyland | ABC | 38.2 |
5. | Jack Benny Show | CBS | 38.0 |
6. | Private Secretary | CBS | 36.3 |
7. | General Electric Theatre | CBS | 36.1 |
8. | December Bride | CBS | 35.1 |
9. | I’ve Got a Secret | CBS | 34.9 |
10. | The Millionaire | CBS | 34.3 |
Copyright 1956 by A. C. Nielsen Co.
Note: Prior to July 1960, Nielsen ratings were not based on the total number of television households in the United States. From 1950 to 1953, ratings were a percentage of households in cities/markets in which the program was broadcast. From 1953 to 1960, ratings were a percentage of households capable of viewing a program.
Source:
“Latest Ratings: Nielsen.” Broadcasting*Telecasting. 23 Jan. 1956: 35.
It is interesting to learn the evolution of TV ratings. How they grew out of radio,and how the early ratings where more about coverage and what parts of the country you reach. How and why demographic were created. How the overnight was born. And the chaos today in trying to find a way to measure an audience that watches in different times and different ways.
In the 70s I had a hard time convincing people the value of demographic ratings while today I have a hard time convincing people that the overnight 18-49 is out of date. Everything changes including how to measure a TV series success.