TV RATINGS : ‘Grand’ Succeeds Grandly in Ratings

NBC’s new “Grand” hit ratings nirvana with its debut last Thursday. The half-hour sitcom was viewed in 19.9 million homes, which placed it in the No. 5 spot for the week, according to A. C. Nielsens released Tuesday. The strong ratings helped lead NBC to its 82nd weekly victory in 83 weeks. ABC ranked second for the week and CBS placed third. “Grand” was expected to get sizable ratings because of its protected time period in the middle of NBC’s powerhouse Thursday lineup. The program’s ability to keep most of the audience from “Cheers”--which aired before it and ranked No. 1 for the week--indicates that “Grand” may have some strength of its own. The full list of ratings is on Page 9.

* The critical acclaim bestowed on “The Simpsons,” Fox’s new animated show, has been matched by ratings success. The Sunday night series came in 28th for the week and was watched in 13.7 million homes. Those figures were good enough to beat out ABC’s “Full House” and NBC’s “Sister Kate” with only CBS’ hit “Murder, She Wrote” placing ahead of it.

Show Points Share 1.”Cheers”(NBC) 24.7 37 2.”The Cosby Show”(NBC) 23.4 36 3.”Roseanne”(ABC) 23.4 35 4.”60 Minutes”(CBS) 22.7 36 5.”Grand”(NBC) 21.6 33 *”The Simpsons”(Fox) 14.9 21