JacobsÛª forecast has ABC in first place
JL he shift of Fred Silverman to NBC has received more attention lately than inflation, the president or the Congress, but donÛªt expect his new job to change the competitive ratings for the coming TV season. The highly reliable forecast from Herb Jacobs of Telecom Associates of Los Angeles keeps ABC in first place, followed by CBS and with NBC in its customary third place.</br></br>Jacobs has been doing these forecasts for the past 20 years and has been able to claim an accuracy level of more than 99 per cent. He notes that for the first time in TV history, the schedules at all three networks are affected by the same man, Silverman, who started at CBS, moved to ABC and has now become president of NBC-TV. Jacobs does doubt, however, that the networks are through tinkering with the fall schedule: ÛÏ. . . I don't think the moves are for real and expect many more to be made by September.Û</br></br>The potential new hits, according to Jacobs, are ABCÛªs ÛÏBattle Star Galatica,Û "Vega$,Û and ÛÏTaxi.Û CBSÛª most likely successes are ÛÏKaz, ÛÏMary Tyler MooreÛ (a one-hour variety show), ÛÏWKRP,Û a situation comedy and ÛÏJust the BeginningÛ (another sitcom about a priest and a hip nun). And what about the new hits on NBC? Jacobs answers with one word: "None.Û</br></br>The potential flops in this forecast are ABCÛªs ÛÏMork and MindyÛ and ÛÏApple Pie;Û CBSÛªs ÛÏPeople,Û ÛÏPaper ChaseÛ and ÛÏAmerican Girls"; and NBCÛªs ÛÏLifelineÛ and ÛÏWhoÛªs Watching the Kids.Û</br></br>Another category, which Jacobs calls "Maybes,Û meaning the programs have a chance to get passing ratings, are ÛÏGrandpa,Û ÛÏWaverlyÛ and ÛÏDick Clark," all from NBC.