"American Idol": Ominous Signs For Ratings Juggernaut

LA Times:

MAYBE it's not as shocking as, say, Aussie heartthrob Michael Johns getting voted off the show. But the news still surprises: "American Idol's" ratings are down. Way down, among some viewers.

Could it be that the singing smash, which has entirely reshaped television over the past seven seasons, is finally proving mortal? And if so, what will that mean for Fox, the rest of the TV industry and Ryan Seacrest's career?

At first glance, the erosion doesn't seem so bad. "Idol" has slipped 7% in average total viewers (to 29.2 million, as of last week) compared with last season, according to figures from Nielsen Media Research.

"This show has defied the odds," Fox scheduling chief Preston Beckman told me Friday. " 'American Idol' has held up better than any other show, scripted or unscripted, on television."

And yet . . . this season the show has shed nearly one-fifth of women viewers ages 18 to 34 -- one of its most important constituencies -- and is down a comparable amount among kids 2 to 11. That's a bad sign, because children and young adults are generally the first to bail on a show that's getting crow's feet.

And the pace of the falloff may be quickening. Last week's performance show, featuring the songs of Mariah Carey, one of the most successful pop singers in history, was the lowest-rated Tuesday "Idol" in five years among TV's most important demographic, adults ages 18 to 49.

Read the whole story: LA Times

Comments

[SmolderingRuin]

You mean there is hope that this unwatchable, irritating, piece -of- crap show will end someday, and we will never have to hear about it again? You have made my day.

[mediamarv]

I think it's because Paula stopped crossing her legs so much.

[nomobull]

the only part i watched this year was the audition shows because at least they were funny.

[expanse]

Maybe because Mariah Carey sucks? It is no accident her 2 shows were the lowest in a long time. She used to have a voice. Now that is gone. And she isn't much of a songwriter either.

[conservativesoncrack]

Well, if they bring David Hernandez back I will watch it again. What's a gay guy to do when his favorite lap dancer is voted off for no good reason? :-)

At least there is still David Cook to watch!

[Chiang]

The wife and I never watched AI until last year because we were too sophisticated and cool. Then we watched it almost by accident and got into it. Watch it this year every week.

We like it. The talent is tremendous and the kids get better every week. You can watch them mature and improve. The show also has drama, suspense and it's interactive with the audience voting thing. (Lsoing Michael John's was a bad beat, though.)

I think the people who hate it the most have never seen it anyway.

[aquarius2001]

Noped. I followed it every season except this year. My cup runneth over with Paula, Randy and Simon. Enough Already!

(PS. I'm "sophisticated and cool" too). LOL

[Chiang]

I like watching Randy and Paula and Simon. Especially Simon. Sometimes someone has to tell you when you suck.

[HeyFella]

I hate it, I've watched and I AM sophisticated too. It appeals to juveniles, Chachis, small town types and anyone over the hill.

[Chiang]

You must be very sophisticated. You would enjoy watching something else or spending more time on your computer, I think.

[Bulbul]

Could it be, viewers are fedup with the voting process, and shocked for the elimination of Johns ?
I , for one ,am paying more attention this year, singers are far better...
Anyone remembers last year ?

[tenzindorje]

Yeah, we've got REAL reality TV with the baddest boxing match of all time, Clinton vs. Obama. Much more exciting to watch Olbermann at 7 (CST) than American Idle (sic).

[thatwasntfunny]

this guy supports Obama
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QchLVjaxTZc

[cBc]

stick a fork in it ( & Paula too while yer at it, though it's doubtful she'd feel it) it's done.
A show for teens to speed-dial continuous "votes" for "talent" that sing 90 second song snippets.
Entertainment for the attention span challenged

[jukesgrrl]

Speaking of Paula (and I try not to), what's up with her legs in that picture? They look truly weird.

[LeftLeanWing]

I think the political battle going on has trumped A.I. this season. I know that I haven't watched a single episode this year because the primary contest has become the ULTIMATE EXTREME Version of American Idol. Somehow watching these kids sing to win a record contract seems relatively trivial. Truth be told, all of the other shows seem trivial too.

[aquarius2001]

I agree with everything you said!!

[AmandaRuth]

I show ended for me when Kristi sang Proud to American and Simon called it a "great song" or some such something. If I want Branson, MO, I will go to Branson, MO

[BandsofBlack]

Yeah... That was truly vomit-inducing.

I watched it once after that, but then when I heard from a friend about all the religious crap I bailed out permanently.

[eugenegerard]

Trust is key to success. Their voting system like Diebold sucks.

[situationcritical]

My hope for American Idol is to disappear into the anals of history. Soon.

[tenzindorje]

Nice Freudian slip! "Annals" is correct, but "anals" is correcter :)

[jukesgrrl]

LOL

[DebofMD]

Season 5 was the best. (Elliott Yamin and Chris Daughtry are incredible talents.) After that it just crashed. Season 6 was the worst ever--the talent pool just was not there and the kids lacked that "it" factor. I didn't even bother to get into this season. I also think the political events taking place are trumping AI viewership this season as well. Many folks are tuning into the debates and news shows. AI just is not as relevant anymore.