TV Ratings : ’60 Minutes’ Takes Top Spot . . . Again

Come rain, shine or holiday distractions for viewers, “60 Minutes” reigns supreme. The CBS magazine was a runaway No. 1 in last week’s ratings, the A.C. Nielsen research firm reported Tuesday. But NBC won the week, averaging a 10.8 rating, followed by ABC with 10.4 and CBS with 10.2. (One rating point equals 921,000 homes. The full ratings list is on F22.)

As the year ended, however--marking the midway point of the official ratings season--CBS, still bolstered by the World Series, was the leading network overall with a 13.4 rating, trailed by NBC with 12.5 and ABC at 12.1.

Despite the holidays, viewers tuned in Sunday night’s movies. CBS’ “Face of a Stranger,” with Tyne Daly as a homeless woman who is befriended by a widow (Gene Rowlands), was the No. 2 show of the week. NBC’s feature film, “Ghost Dad,” with Bill Cosby, was No. 6. And ABC’s 1960 motion picture, “Spartacus,” with Kirk Douglas, was No. 19.

* With both Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve falling on Tuesday nights, ABC’s strongest lineup, powered by “Roseanne,” is being hardest hit as viewers turn to holiday festivities. “Roseanne” dropped to 34th place last week on Christmas Eve, and its follow-up show, “Coach,” plummeted to 42nd.

TV Ratings

Show Points Share 1. “60 Minutes” (CBS) 20.0 33 2. “Face of a Stranger” (CBS) 16.8 27 3. “Pro Football: Bears vs. 49ers” (ABC) 16.7 31 4. “Cheers” (NBC) 15.6 27 5. “Empty Nest” (NBC) 14.9 27 * “Roseanne” (ABC) 10.4 26