Ratings
The show ranked in the Top 20 for its first three seasons, following the Mary Tyler Moore Show in CBS's Saturday night lineup. By the end of the fifth season, ratings had slipped, and with The Mary Tyler Moore Show leaving and schedule changes, Newhart was thinking seriously of ending the program. CBS offered him a sixth season, but he felt that it was time to move on. He later revealed in an interview that what made him change his mind was the amount of mail he received from viewers begging him not to go off the air. Newhart said that their response "almost made me cry." As a result, The Bob Newhart Show returned for the 1977-1978 season. On April 1, 1978, the show broadcast its final episode "Happy Trails To You". It ended its sixth year ranking 53rd.
- 1972–1973: #16 (21.8)
- 1973–1974: #12 (22.3) – Tied with The Wonderful World of Disney
- 1974–1975: #17 (22.4)
- 1975–1976: #26 (20.7) – Tied with Donny and Marie and The Streets of San Francisco
- 1976–1977: N/A
- 1977–1978: N/A
Read more about this topic: The Bob Newhart Show