Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
[1] Note: This was the first full season in which all networks, on every day of the week except for Sunday, started airing programs at 8:00 instead of 7:30, as dictated by the FCC under its Prime Time Access Rule, intended to increase diversity in programming.
PBS is not included; member stations have local flexibility over most of their schedules and broadcast times for network shows may vary.
* formerly Chronolog[2][3] Note: Dan August consisted of reruns of the 1970-1971 ABC series.
Note: Ghost Story was retooled slightly and retitled Circle of Fear (under the same production team) with the episode broadcast January 5, 1973.