TV RATINGS

The first full week of the new year found the prime-time Nielsens back to business as usual with NBC’s Thursday night powerhouse leading the network to its highest rating of the season and 11th straight weekly win. The network captured eight of the top 10 spots, CBS and ABC having to settle for one apiece. NBC did well with several movie specials, including Monday’s showing of “The Ann Jillian Story,” which pulled in a 23.8 rating and 35 share to make it the highest-rated TV movie of the season. Weekly network averages: NBC, 18.5 rating/29 share; CBS, 14.1/22; ABC, 13.5/21. Evening news ratings: CBS 13.1, ABC 12.7, NBC 12.4. (One Nielsen point equals 886,000 homes; “share” refers to the percentage of households watching a particular program.) The complete Nielsens appear on Page 9.

* CBS’s new “High Mountain Rangers” starring Robert Conrad showed marked improvement in its second outing, moving from 43rd with its premiere to an impressive 33rd for week two. If the numbers continue to build, it could turn into one of CBS’ few bright spots in a disappointing season.

SHOW POINTS SHARE WEEK 1. The Cosby Show 32.8 47 1/10 (NBC) 19.8 37 1/3 2. Cheers 28.1 41 1/10 (NBC) 15.9 32 1/3 3. A Different World 28.0 41 1/10 (NBC) 17.5 34 1/3 4. Night Court 25.5 39 1/10 (NBC) 13.7 29 1/3 5. Growing Pains 23.9 34 1/10 (ABC) 18.5 29 1/3 * High Mountain Rangers 15.8 24 1/10 (CBS) 12.7 21 1/3