Here are the top ten programs for the two-week period running Sunday, April 8th through Saturday, April 21st, 1956. The first table lists the top ten by households and the second by rating.
I Love Lucy topped both charts once again. The episodes aired during this two-week period were “Lucy Gets Homesick in Italy” (on Monday, April 9th) and “Lucy’s Italian Movie” (on Monday, April 16th).
Gisele McKenzie was the special guest on The Jack Benny Program on Sunday, April 8th. Private Secretary aired on Sunday, April 15th but didn’t rank in the top ten this week.
ABC’s Disneyland featured “The Story of the Silly Symphony” on Wednesday, April 11th and “Adventureland–People and Places” on Wednesday, April 18th.
Arthur Godrey’s Talent Scouts cracked the top ten (Percent of TV Homes Reached) for the first time this season.
I’ve been unable to determine exactly when the 1955-1956 season ended or more specifically when it ended according to Nielsen. It presumably came to a close at some point in March or April. The last full week of April (22-28) was a “black week” during which no ratings were taken so this seems like as good a time as any to wrap up my look at the Nielsen ratings from 1955-1956.
| Number of TV Homes Reached | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ## | Program | Network | Homes |
| 1. | I Love Lucy | CBS | 16,251,000 |
| 2. | $64,000 Question | CBS | 15,093,000 |
| 3. | December Bride | CBS | 13,654,000 |
| 4. | Ed Sullivan Show | CBS | 12,952,000 |
| 5. | Disneyland | ABC | 12,776,000 |
| 6. | Jack Benny Show | CBS | 12,496,000 |
| 7. | Dragnet | NBC | 11,969,000 |
| 8. | The Millionaire | CBS | 11,899,000 |
| 9. | I’ve Got a Secret | CBS | 11,513,000 |
| G.E. Theatre | CBS | 11,513,000 | |
| Percent of TV Homes Reached | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ## | Program | Network | Rating (%) |
| 1. | I Love Lucy | CBS | 47.8 |
| 2 | $64,000 Question | CBS | 44.8 |
| 3. | December Bride | CBS | 40.8 |
| 4. | Ed Sullivan Show | CBS | 38.8 |
| 5. | Disneyland | ABC | 37.7 |
| 6. | Jack Benny Show | CBS | 37.3 |
| 7. | The Millionaire | CBS | 36.1 |
| 8. | Dragnet | NBC | 34.8 |
| 9. | I’ve Got a Secret | CBS | 34.7 |
| Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts | CBS | 34.7 | |
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. 21 May. 1956: 42.
If you don’t know what “Lucy’s Italian Movie” is, it’s the classic grape stomping episode that everyone might still be remembered!!!
It is interesting given the fact that “December Bride” is virtually forgotten today, that it was a major hit.