"American Idol" Ratings Drop 10%, Still Wins

NEW YORK — An estimated 30.1 million people watched the season debut of "American Idol," which left Fox's entertainment chief "relieved but not satisfied."

Wednesday night's two-hour show, which introduced new judge Kara DioGuardi and was noticeably less intent on humiliating the talent-deficient, was the most-watched prime-time program of the TV season so far, according to Nielsen Media Research.

Yet it was down 10 percent from the 33.4 million who watched the 2008 debut. The 37.4 million who watched the 2007 debut represents the series' high point for opening nights.

The decline is consistent with what is happening on broadcast TV this season, said Peter Liguori, Fox entertainment chairman. A hangover from last year's writers' strike and the increased use of digital video recorders means that year-to-year growth in live viewing is the exception rather than the rule.

"We're unsatisfied because within the `Idol' universe, you never want to see year-to-year erosion, ever," Liguori said. "With all that being said, I think we're optimistic about the show's performance from this point forward."

Of the 20 most popular prime-time programs at this time last year that returned for another season, 14 have lost viewership. The six shows that have increased their audience this year, such as "NCIS" and "Two and a Half Men," are all on CBS.

Before "Idol," the most-watched prime-time entertainment show of the season had been the season debut of CBS' "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," seen by 23.5 million viewers on Oct. 9. Until Tuesday night, the most people gathered around the TV for a single show was the 27.8 million who watched the Indianapolis-San Diego NFL playoff on Jan. 3.

"American Idol" was praised by one of Fox's rivals, CBS Entertainment President Nina Tassler, on Wednesday when she cited it as a reason advertisers stick with broadcast networks.

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"You don't find these kinds of numbers on cable or any other medium," Tassler told a meeting of the Television Critics Association. "Network television still works when advertisers and audiences respond to creative, high-quality content."

Liguori said the effort to be more "aspirational," or focus on the personal stories and dreams of would-be idols, should help the show appeal to more female viewers in its eighth season.

Fox is also cutting its run of tryout sessions from four weeks to three to spend more time in Hollywood, he said.

"Our anticipation is there should be greater strength from this point forward," he said.

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Associated Press Television Writer Lynn Elber contributed to this report.

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Fox is a unit of News Corp. CBS is a division of CBS Corp.

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On the Net:

http://www.americanidol.com

Comments

[patrickgarret]

"Time to retire this turkey?" God Americans can be so stupid. I'm sure FOX will retire American Idol while it's still beating the 2nd place show my 10 M I L L I O N viewers. LOL If you don't like it, DONT WATCH IT.

[patrickgarret]

The beauty here...if you don't like the show, DON'T WATCH IT YOU CLOSET WATCHERS!:) HA!
Even my friends who "hate it" have been caught knowing a little too much about the show. They are doing something right, one of the highest rated TV shows in television history. Get over yourselves. Many of us find it fun to watch and so do my nephews and nieces.

Oh yah, the GOP sucks.

Bye!

[MyGuyO]

And to think that silly acting Simon Cowell gets paid a very high salary for this junk. Amazing. Now he is building a 14 million $$$ home in Barbados. And this is his reward for putting forth such nonsense on the people?

[MyGuyO]

This is certainly about time for this show to fold. Have never watched this silly drivel of so-called entertainement, but can't help to hear about the winners on the talk/cable shows after the fact. It amazes me that this show has lasted for so long. Hopefully, this will be the last season.

[aquarius2001]

The reason the ratings have gone down....the tweens who watched in previous seasons have grown up a bit and no longer watch. The rest of America is simply not interested in this FAKE show where the producers decide the winner and claim that America has "voted". Yeah right.

[neesy08]

Haven't watched Idol in about 4 or 5 years. It is the same ole same ole.Right now is the worse time to be trying to get signed to a record company The record companies are laying off employees and discontinuing contracts for several Idol winners. Unless these people are truly talented, nobody will remember them in two years

[phoebie]

Never have watched Idol. Never will. I'll have to be available for the inevitable control group when medical studies determine to what degree Idol is harmful to your health.

[plzchuteme]

I'm with you. The only thing worse than dreadful, is dreadful that has been rotting, for what; 7 or 8 years?

[TheApeMan]

I can't stand this show...maybe it's because they are 'manufactured" into stars, rather than by getting their "chops" from doing the touring thing.
The fact that they don't write their own songs and/or music drives me nuts!

I guess I'm bitter since I've been playing in a band for a LONG time and did the touring/not making money thing and never was "discovered," but music today is all manufactured...
When The Jonas Brothers are making 3D Movies and offered $100 million contracts, and Miley Cyrus is at the top of the charts, something is seriously wrong...
I guess it's the same as the whole boy band junk back in the 80's (NKOTB) and 90's (N'Sync, Backstreet, and tons of other clones).

Ugh!

[LisaLisa1234]

I agree with most of your comments & can't stand the show either; however, as a vocalist who doesn't have a lick of talent in writing music, I must point out:

From the beginning of music history, the greatest composers did not perform their compositions, and the greatest performers did not compose the works they performed, with a few exceptions.

The big band/jazz/­blues/rock era changed some of that, and we've seen some stunning talent over the years for doing both, although mostly in the pop/rock realm. Most singer/songwriters aren't great singers per se, but great communicators of their music.

I'm not saying those you cited are great performers...BUT please don't give all performers disrespect for not writing their own stuff.:) We would miss out on the joy of hearing many a virtuoso.

[danusgram]

you know I like all these comments from people that probably do not have an ounce of music ability and who only watch fox 30000000 people disagree with you folks that do not know how to dance.

[rbryanh]

"Liguori said the effort to be more 'aspirational'... should help the show appeal..."

Presumably he means "aspiration" as in "the action of drawing fluid by suction from a vessel or cavity". This would explain the wet sucking noise one hears whenever the judges, contestants, audience, or viewers open their mouths, like lampreys pursing the fast, surging blubber of celebrity.

[danusgram]

They only have themselves to blame for the talentless group they had last year by using a formula to appeal to 14 year olds. They have real talent this year folks...they ratings will be back!

[solarian]

never watched a it. all the judges are has beens

[jalowe1957]

If the ratings are starting to drop, it's probably because people are finally coming to their senses and are starting to look elsewhere for alternatives.

And remember the First of the Ten Commandments: Tho shalt have no other Gods before me...and includes tbe next "American Idol."

Amd when you though that Baal worship was a thing of the past...

[mcliberty]

Can't I visit HuffPost just one day and not have to see 1 sexist image? Everyday there is at least a picture of bikini clad or naked or practically naked women. The closest thing to a naked man I've seen would be the gay love scene from the soap opera. I don't mind a hot chick, but can't it be equal? Show none or show both.

[bluguy8]

THEY NEED TO STOP ALL THE FOCUS ON THE LOSERS THAT DON'T SEEM TO KNOW THEY CAN'T SING .JUST HAVE THE COMPETITION AND GET IT OVER WITH