[quote name=\'Ian Wallis\' date=\'Jan 14 2004, 09:18 AM\']
I know numbers then and numbers now aren't quite alike, but if the 1994-1995 version was pulling a 2.5, do you think it would have been renewed?
I'm not sure what the numbers were, but it really shows have far ratings have dropped to be considered respectable.
Big hit shows of the '70s - "All in the Family", "Mary Tyler Moore", etc. were said to have drawn 40 million viewers, while shows that drew 10 million were considered big disasters. Now, shows that draw 10 million are automatically renewed! I guess that's what happens in a 500-channel universe. [/quote]
This is a bit apples and oranges --
Family Feud doesn't run in prime time in most markets like
All in the Family did in 1974.
This site shows top 30 prime time ratings for each year for nearly 50 years. I've picked the 1973-74 season -- the top show,
All in the Family averaged 20,687,000 of the 68,500,000 sets then available, for a 30.2 ratings. (Impossible to calculate share from these numbers.)
However, when you consider the options in most markets at that point were the three networks, maybe one independent station, and PBS on UHF, it's not surprising that the shows rated as highly as they did. (Also consider: no VCRs or DVD players, no Internet, movies didn't release to 3,000 theaters in one weekend, we had to walk seven miles through the snow to get to school, and electricity hadn't been invented.)
Feud isn't really much more successful than
Hollywood Squares has been, but it's a lot cheaper to produce.