Thursday 29 April 1999
By eBroadcast Staff and agencies.

When it comes to favorite television programs black and white viewers are moving a little closer together

Look, regardless of color, how can anyone like this show?

Who would have thought a little racial harmony might be found in the evil television set? According to Nielson ratings and (the ad agency) BBDO's Report on Black Television Viewing, TV is one place for us to start looking for things we share in common. According to the study the primetime-viewing habits of blacks and whites merged somewhat during the fourth quarter of 1998, with whites and blacks choosing the same four programs in each of their top 10 rated lists, compared to zero for the same period last year.

Ahh, sweet progress.

The four programs that made the Nielsen-best in both white and black households are reportedly NFL Monday Night Football, Touched by an Angel, 60 Minutes and CBS Sunday Movie.

The information wasn't all graham crackers and honey though. There were some disparities. For example, the highest-rated series in black households, WB's Steve Harvey Show, ranked 154th among white households. By contrast, NBC's Friends, the second highest-rated show in the fourth quarter of 1998 ranked in 109th in black households.

Frasier: 3rd over all, 111th in black homes
Veronica's Closet: 4th over all, 94th in black homes
ER 1st over all, 18th in black homes

It is a step in the right direction. And once again, television is the cause and solution to another world problem.