[citation needed] It was broadcast on Fridays from 9 to 9:30 p.m. EasternTime,[3] when its competition included The Phil Silvers Show,[17] M Squad on CBS and Mr. Adams and Eve on NBC.

[3] The New York Times reported in December 1957 that the show "recently inserted a live presentation in an effort to improve its rating.

"[20] Although the premiere's rating was a "whopping 29.1 Trendex, outranking combined network competition",[21] about a month later the trade publication Television Digest reported, "Major salvage job being attempted by ABC-TV on its expensive, but low-rated Frank Sinatra Show".

Bob Hope "proved just mildly amusing"; Kim Novak "added nothing" and "was painful to watch" in a skit"; and Peggy Lee "was just plain unexciting".

[19] As the show's run was ending, the trade publication Ross Reports commented, "The end of the Frank Sinatra Show, seemingly not lamented by any one concerned in its sponsorship or production, affirms for variety specialists that a strong production hand with a good planning sense is as important as a star attraction.