TV & VIDEO - May 19, 1987

Stung by the planned shift of “20/20” news magazine series to Fridays next fall, ABC News president Roone Arledge took a swipe Monday at ABC’s programmers, blaming the shift on the network’s failure to avoid a third consecutive season as third in prime-time ratings. The veteran news program enjoyed good ratings and success on Thursday nights, Arledge said in a two-page staff memo, but it “simply could not prevail against those seeking a way out of a historic entertainment failure.” The series next fall faces NBC’s “Miami Vice” and CBS’ “Falcon Crest” at 10 p.m. Fridays.