NEW YORK -- CBS was riding high in the network prime time ratings last week with eight of its programs making the Top 10 list, including once again a rerun episode of the cancelled drama series 'Cagney and Lacey.'
The Nielsen survey for the week ending Aug. 7 gave CBS a 12.4 rating with a 24 percent share of the viewing audience, followed by NBC with an 11.3 rating and a 22 share, and ABC with an 10.7 rating and a 21 share.
'Cagney and Lacey,' a true-to-life dramatic series about women police detectives, lawyers and crime victims that portrays the relationships of women working together, was not renewed by CBS after one season.
At the network's Fall previews in June, CBS Vice President for Programming Harvey Shephard explained that the show 'did okay against football, but when it was competing with shows that had woman appeal, it didn't do well. Obviously there was no strong following.' The summer reruns, however, have repeatedly popped up among the Top 10 rated shows.
'CBS Evening News' again was on top of the early evening news programs with an 11.0 rating and a 25 percent share of the audience. 'NBC Nightly News' was barely in second with an 8.7 share compared to 8.6 for ABC's 'World News Tonight.' The ABC and NBC news programs each had a 20 share of the audience.
The top 10 prograos for the week ending Aug. 7, according to the A.C. Nielsen Co.:
1. 60 Minutes (CBS).
2. Jeffersons CBS).
3. Newhart (CBS).
4. Trapper John, (CBS).
5. 20-20 ABC.
6. CBS Tuesday Night Movies, The Promise.
7. Hill Street Blues (NBC).
8. Cagney and Lacey (CBS).
Tied 9-10 Magnum, P.I. (CBS).
Tied 9-10 One Day At A time CBS.
