When and why did "Family Matters" begin to lose its popularity - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

TMC · 08-07-2026, 12:55 AM

Was it when it moved from ABC to CBS for its final season in 1997-98 or was it already doing downward? I was looking at the Nielsen ratings history, and Family Matters was a top 40 show from Seasons 2-7. It's final season on ABC (Season 8 in 1996-97) had the show come in at 50th place and an 8.8 rating and 14.02 million viewers. So, it was already like I said, treading downward prior to the move to CBS. In fact, the ratings gradually went down one-by-one each season, with the exception of Season 5.

howilu · 08-08-2026, 10:05 AM

There were likely two factors in the decline of Family Matters. One was the number of viewers watching at home on Friday night. Second, it was possible that viewers were beginning to tire of Steve Urkel's antics since he virtually took the spotlight away from its original premise, the Winslow family.

08-07-2026, 12:55 AM	#1
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 127,817	When and why did "Family Matters" begin to lose its popularity Was it when it moved from ABC to CBS for its final season in 1997-98 or was it already doing downward? I was looking at the Nielsen ratings history, and Family Matters was a top 40 show from Seasons 2-7. It's final season on ABC (Season 8 in 1996-97) had the show come in at 50th place and an 8.8 rating and 14.02 million viewers. So, it was already like I said, treading downward prior to the move to CBS. In fact, the ratings gradually went down one-by-one each season, with the exception of Season 5.

08-08-2026, 10:05 AM	#2
howilu Member Senior Member Join Date: Apr 20, 2003 Location: St. Louis Park, MN Posts: 1,967	There were likely two factors in the decline of Family Matters. One was the number of viewers watching at home on Friday night. Second, it was possible that viewers were beginning to tire of Steve Urkel's antics since he virtually took the spotlight away from its original premise, the Winslow family.