The Best TV Shows of 1972

28 top-rated shows, ranked by audience score — each with its current AI renewal verdict.

1. 1
   
   Colditz

   BBC One · 1972

   ★ 8.3Ended0%
2. 2
   
   The Bob Newhart Show

   CBS · 1972

   ★ 8.1Ended0%
3. 3
   
   Are You Being Served?

   BBC One · 1972

   ★ 8.0Ended0%
4. 4
   
   New Japan Pro Wrestling

   tv asahi · 1972

   ★ 8.0Likely Renewed92%
5. 5
   
   Professional Killers

   NET · 1972

   ★ 8.0Ended0%
6. 6
   
   Sanford and Son

   NBC · 1972

   ★ 7.9Ended0%
7. 7
   
   Emergency!

   NBC · 1972

   ★ 7.8Ended0%
8. 8
   
   Mazinger Z

   Fuji TV · 1972

   ★ 7.8Ended0%
9. 9
   
   Science Ninja Team Gatchaman

   Fuji TV · 1972

   ★ 7.7Ended0%
10. 10
    
    Banacek

    NBC · 1972

    ★ 7.7Cancelled0%
11. 11
    
    The New Scooby-Doo Movies

    CBS · 1972

    ★ 7.6Ended0%
12. 12
    
    The Waltons

    CBS · 1972

    ★ 7.6Ended0%
13. 13
    
    Ghost Story

    NBC · 1972

    ★ 7.5Ended0%
14. 14
    
    The Price Is Right

    CBS · 1972

    ★ 7.5Likely Renewed92%
15. 15
    
    The Streets of San Francisco

    ABC · 1972

    ★ 7.3Ended0%
16. 16
    
    Maude

    CBS · 1972

    ★ 7.3Ended0%
17. 17
    
    ABC Afterschool Special

    ABC · 1972

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
18. 18
    
    Van der Valk

    ITV1 · 1972

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
19. 19
    
    Search

    NBC · 1972

    ★ 7.1Ended0%
20. 20
    
    Rainbow

    ITV1 · 1972

    ★ 6.9Cancelled0%
21. 21
    
    The Rookies

    ABC · 1972

    ★ 6.8Ended0%
22. 22
    
    The Protectors

    Associated Television · 1972

    ★ 6.7Ended0%
23. 23
    
    Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids

    CBS · 1972

    ★ 6.7Ended0%
24. 24
    
    The Adventures of Black Beauty

    ITV1 · 1972

    ★ 6.6Ended0%
25. 25
    
    Mastermind

    BBC One · 1972

    ★ 6.2Likely Renewed78%
26. 26
    Midi trente

    ORTF Télévision · 1972

    ★ 6.0Cancelled0%
27. 27
    
    Emmerdale

    ITV1 · 1972

    ★ 4.9Likely Renewed97%
28. 28
    
    Ai yori aoku

    NHK G · 1972

    ★ 0.0Ended0%