‘Moonlighting’ Puts CBS in Ratings Shade

CBS’ “Windmills of the Gods” wrapped up Tuesday night and kept most of the audience it attracted with Sunday’s opening half, but a strong showing by ABC’s “Moonlighting” at 9 p.m. kept “Windmills”--and CBS--from winning the night’s ratings.

According to A.C. Nielsen figures, “Windmills” averaged a 17.6 rating during its 9-11 p.m. airing (compared to a 19 for Part 1 on Sunday), but only a 17 during the first hour--well below the 19.6 pulled in by “Moonlighting” but ahead of “Hunter’s” 13.5 on NBC. (Each ratings point represents 886,000 households.)

The final hour of the four-hour miniseries at 10 p.m. jumped into first with an 18.2 rating opposite ABC’s “thirtysomething” (14.9) and NBC’s “Crime Story” (11.0), but the late surge wasn’t enough to keep ABC from winning the night.

ABC scored its most decisive win in the 8-9 p.m. slot with “Who’s the Boss?” (22.6) and “Growing Pains,” (24), topping NBC’s “Matlock” (19.2) and CBS’ “48 Hours” (7.6).