NEW YORK -- Just like in the comic books, it was 'Superman' to the rescue last week, and for the first time in a long time, somebody tied CBS for first place in the prime time Nielsen sweepstakes.
ABC's Monday night movie -- the second half of 'Superman' -- headed the Nielsen Top 10 with a rating of 32.4 and an audience share of 42.
That, matched with a rating of 29.6 for the first half the preceding evening, gave the man of steel an overall score of 29.9, making it the highest-rated theatrical movie of the season.
The win, backed by Olivia Newton John and some powerful support from ABC regulars, gave the network a rating of 18.4 and a share of 29, tying CBS which had the same score. NBC was third with 14.7 and 23.
News ratings held their usual pattern. The CBS 'Evening News' won again with 14.6 and 24. NBC's 'Nightly News' was second, at 13.2 and 22, and ABC's 'World News Tonight' was third, at 12.5 and 21.
The top 10 programs for the week ending Feb. 14, according to the A.C. Nielsen Co., were:
l. ABC Monday Night Movie -- 'Superman Part II (ABC).
2. Dallas (CBS).
3. Three's Company (ABC).
4. 60 Minutes (CBS).
5. Too Close for Comfort (ABC).
6. Dukes of Hazzard (CBS).
7. Hart to Hart (ABC).
8. Magnum, P.I. (CBS).
9. Real People (NBC).
10. Olivia Newton-John Special (ABC).
