APPENDIX 5
THE TOP 100 SERIES OF ALL TIME

In 1985 we published a small paperback book called TV's Greatest Hits , which contained our first-ever ranking of the most popular TV series of all time. The following is an updated version of that ranking, including data through the 2006-2007 season. It reflects not our choices but those of you, the viewer. It was compiled by assigning each prime-time series points based on the number of seasons it was telecast and its audience size ranking each year. (Detailed information on these two measures will be found in the “Top-Rated Programs by Season” and “Longest-Running Series” appendixes.) Thus, series were given credit for both popularity and longevity.

Some series currently on the air are still moving up the list; 60 Minutes , which ranked number nine on the 1985 all-time list, is by virtue of its continued popularity now number one.