Hoofbeats in the Night

The two-gun rider of the West is not quite so popular as he seems to his dial-flicking critics. In an analysis of how many viewers watched which types of programs during prime TV time (7 to 10:30 p.m.) on the three networks last winter, the A.C. Nielsen Co. found that horse operas were still trailing variety shows. The ranking, according to each category's share of audience viewing time through the week:

Variety 23%

Westerns 15%

Situation comedy 15%

General drama 13%

Quiz and audience participation 10%

Suspense drama 10%

Adventure 6%

Miscellaneous 5%

Information 3%

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