'Shogun' extravaganza gives NBC rave ratings

NBC's week-long blockbuster maxiseries 'Shogun' is turning out to be one of TV's all-time top-rated programs. The premiere on Monday garnered 44 percent of those tuned in to TV. And, on Tuesday night, early Nielsen ratings indicated that more than 50 percent were tuned in. NBC estimates 70 million people saw the initial episode, more than saw the first episode of "Holocaust," but fewer than viewed the intial episode of the all-time leader, ABC's "Roots," which drew 77 million.

Monitor TV critic Arthur Unger says "Shogun's" growing audience may prove wrong many industry observers who consider it a series with great urban appeal, but perhaps limited attraction for allegedly "less sophisticated" rural audiences.