After premiering on September 30, 1982, it was nearly canceled during its first season when it ranked almost last in ratings for its premiere (74th out of 77 shows). However, Cheers eventually became a Nielsen ratings juggernaut in the United States, earning a top-ten rating during eight of its eleven seasons, including one season at number one (season 9). The show spent most of its run on NBC's Thursday night "Must See TV" lineup.