The schedule covers primetime hours from September 1979 through August 1980.
All times are Eastern and Pacific, with certain exceptions, such as Monday Night Football.
Each of the 30 highest-rated shows is listed with its rank and rating as determined by Nielsen Media Research.
[1] PBS, the Public Broadcasting Service, was in operation but the schedule was set by each local station.
(*) Formerly known as Mrs. Columbo Note: In November 1979, CBS took Paris off their Saturday night lineup before scheduling it in the 10:00-11:00 pm time slot on Tuesdays beginning December 4.