TV RATINGS : ’60 Minutes’ No. 1; Viewers Opt Out

Real-life celebrations took precedence over TV during Christmas week as only 58% of the nation’s viewers tuned in the Big Three networks. “60 Minutes” was the No. 1 show, with an enormous 8.2-million viewer lead over “Cheers,” the second-ranked program, according to ABC research. Two ABC sitcoms of the warm, traditional type--”Full House” and “Family Matters”--clearly fit audience tastes for the holiday week, bolting into the Top 5. NBC won the week--another tight network race--with a 10.6 rating; CBS was second with 10.3 and ABC trailed with 10.0. (Each rating point equals 931,000 TV homes.) The full list of ratings is on F10.

Show Points Share 1. “60 Minutes” (CBS) 23.3 40 2. “Cheers” (NBC) 16.6 27 3. “Full House” (ABC) 16.4 29 4. “The Cosby Show” (NBC) 15.8 25 5. “Family Matters” (ABC) 15.7 27 * “Cop Rock” (ABC) 5.6 11

*** * The finale of ABC’s canceled “Cop Rock” series, the night after Christmas, ranked 72nd among 85 programs for the week, with a 5.6 rating and 11% audience share. “Cop Rock” debuted this fall as the most radical new network series, combining a tough urban police drama with pop musical numbers. Though hailed as a TV breakthrough, the audience tuned it out after initial curiosity over the premiere.