TV Basics: Top 50 Specials of All Time
Special episodes and final episodes of long-running series, blockbuster mini-series and movies, holiday specials and sporting events are all represented on this list of top-rated specials.

Rank Program Date Network HH
Rating
1 M*A*S*H (Final Episode) 2/28/1983 CBS 60.2  
2 Dallas (Who Shot J.R.?) 11/21/1980 CBS 53.3  
3 Roots Part VIII 1/30/1977 ABC 51.1  
4 Super Bowl XVI 1/24/1982 CBS 49.1  
5 Super Bowl XVII 1/30/1983 NBC 48.6  
6 XVII Winter Olympics 2/23/1994 CBS 48.5  
7 Super Bowl XX 1/26/1986 NBC 48.3  
8 Gone With The Wind - Part 1 11/7/1976 NBC 47.7  
9 Gone With The Wind - Part 2 11/8/1976 NBC 47.4  
10 Super Bowl XII 1/15/1978 CBS 47.2  
11 Super Bowl XIII 1/21/1979 NBC 47.1  
12 Bob Hope Christmas Show 1/15/1970 NBC 46.6  
13 Super Bowl XVIII 1/22/1984 CBS 46.4  
13 Super Bowl XIX 1/20/1985 ABC 46.4  
15 Super Bowl XIV 1/20/1980 CBS 46.3  
16 Super Bowl XXX 1/28/1996 NBC 46.0  
16 The Day After 11/20/1983 ABC 46.0  
18 Roots Part VI 1/28/1977 ABC 45.9  
18 The Fugitive (Final Episode) 8/29/1967 ABC 45.9  
20 Super Bowl XXI 1/25/1987 CBS 45.8  
21 Roots Part V 1/27/1977 ABC 45.7  
22 Super Bowl XXVIII 1/29/1994 NBC 45.5  
22 Cheers (Final Episode) 5/20/1993 NBC 45.5  
24 Ed Sullivan (The Beatles) 2/9/1964 CBS 45.3  
25 Super Bowl XXVII 1/31/1993 NBC 45.1  
26 Bob Hope Christmas Show 1/14/1971 NBC 45.0  
27 Roots Part III 1/25/1977 ABC 44.8  
28 Super Bowl XXXII 1/25/1998 NBC 44.5  
29 Super Bowl XI 1/9/1977 NBC 44.4  
29 Super Bowl XV 1/25/1981 NBC 44.4  
31 Super Bowl VI 1/16/1972 CBS 44.2  
32 XVII Winter Olympics 2/25/1994 CBS 44.1  
32 Roots Part II 1/24/1977 ABC 44.1  
34 Beverly Hillbillies 1/8/1964 CBS 44.0  
35 Roots Part IV 1/26/1977 ABC 43.8  
35 Ed Sullivan (The Beatles) 2/16/1964 CBS 43.8  
37 Super Bowl XXIII 1/22/1989 NBC 43.5  
38 Academy Awards 4/7/1970 ABC 43.4  
39 Super Bowl XXXIV 1/30/2000 ABC 43.3  
39 Super Bowl XXXI 1/26/1997 FOX 43.3  
41 Thorn Birds Part III 3/29/1983 ABC 43.2  
41 Super Bowl XLII 2/3/2008 FOX 43.2  
43 Thorn Birds Part IV 3/30/1983 ABC 43.1  
44 CBS NFC Championship 1/10/1982 CBS 42.9  
45 Beverly Hillbillies 1/15/1964 CBS 42.8  
46 Super Bowl VII 1/14/1973 NBC 42.7  
47 Super Bowl XLI 2/4/2007 CBS 42.6  
48 Thorn Birds Part II 3/28/1983 ABC 42.5  
49 Super Bowl IX 1/12/1975 NBC 42.4  
49 Beverly Hillbillies 2/26/1964 CBS 42.4  
           
Source: The Nielsen Company, January 1964 – February 2009
Note: Beginning 2006 estimates Live+SD. Prior to 2006 Live only.


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