'American Idol' Ratings Down, Season 11 Debut Dips

"American Idol" continued to dip in the ratings Thursday night, with 17.7 million viewers and a 5.7 in the coveted 18-49 demo. For the first half-hour, CBS' "The Big Bang Theory," which celebrated its 100th episode Thursday night, topped "Idol" in the demo; but "Idol" surged to a 6.1 rating from 8:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

While "Idol" -- and Fox -- came out on top for the night, the numbers were still down 19 percent from the Wednesday night Season 11 premiere ratings, and down 27 percent from the first Thursday episode of last season.

Could this be the beginning of the end for the "American Idol" franchise? Well, not quite. "American Idol" does tend to dip from its first night to its second, which means that the reality show's Thursday night drop was proportional to its premiere ratings. Although "Idol" faces tougher competition on Thursday nights, its ratings tie with CBS' "The Big Bang Theory" may mean future trouble for the reality show.

However, the real question is whether "Idol" will retain its audience or whether it will continue to drop during the audition stages.

Will you be tuning in?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox. Do you still watch "American Idol"? Let us know in the comments, or tweet us @HuffPostTV. Here's what our followers have to say. Do you agree?

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Comments

[Marian Parker]

10:17 PM on 02/02/2012

I stop watching american idol when they voted off pia tushiana.Every year their voting procedures stank. I loved Xfactor really thought it was great. Simon you'll should have kept at least Paula. no one will replace her.You two together made the show.simon I think you should waited another year before cleaning house.Rome was not built in a day.Your show was great. It was on its way to be number one.American idol is on its way out.Even steve jones was not that bad.You should have given everyone at least another try. X factor was far better than american idol.please hire your judges back and steve jones.Give it another chance. I even liked nicole. whom ever told you to do this is sabotaging this show because it is taking the ratings down for american idol. Trust me x factor will fail without at least paula abdul.I know the fans here in maryland and dc will not watch x factor without at least paula abdul. You are jumping the gun too fast. You can't measure the success of the show from one year.

[samuraifrog37]

06:50 AM on 01/23/2012

When my Idol ends....so will I.

[Trebuchette]

02:02 AM on 01/23/2012

Every time I see JLo, I think about her personal life and I don't get a happy. Can't watch. Turned away from it right after the Giants Schooled SanFran :)

[Kathleen Morse]

10:31 PM on 01/22/2012

Will I be watching? No. I will be watching "The Voice" though.

[Adonijah]

08:19 PM on 01/22/2012

Stick a fork in Idol it's done!!! Or it should be....lol

[IvyRedhead Hoffart]

02:00 PM on 01/22/2012

Kill it with fire!!!

[KCZAPPA]

10:04 AM on 01/22/2012

NOT WATCHING YET THIS SEASON- DON'T KNOW IF I WILL- STARTING TO BORE ME

[LeeLoPink]

09:52 AM on 01/22/2012

It took me a season to appreciate her, but along with Simon & Paula, I hated to see Kara D go, too.

[deucejuice]

08:36 AM on 01/22/2012

It's over

[darkday]

07:55 AM on 01/22/2012

I like Steve Tyler and Simon cowell

[sacmom3]

05:44 AM on 01/22/2012

I stopped watching when Simon left. Hiring Jlo killed AI for me. Jennifer Lopez judging vocal talent is equal to Paris Hilton judging MENSA applicants IMHO. At least Paula brought the cra-cra. Steven Tyler needs to jump ship to another show like Ryan Seacrest, before AI totally sinks.

[LeeLoPink]

09:49 AM on 01/22/2012

I totally agree. I watched AI since day one and last year did me it. JLo was awful. I tuned in for about 5 minutes the other night and I'm done. Simon & Paula are a winning formula and XFactor kept me entertained for sure.

[baby6750]

01:06 AM on 01/22/2012

MYRNAR. YES I'M BE WATCHING THE AMERICAN IDOL SHOW. I HAVE ALWAYS WATCHED THE SHOW AND I'M NOT GOING TO STOP NOW.

[jmslotnick]

12:21 AM on 01/22/2012

J Lo has done nothing but get rich by getting paid way too much for sitting on AI panel with her put on tears, etc. Tyler is better, but the show lost its draw with the Simon Cowell and Paula Abdul chemistry gone. The show is down the tubes and it should bid the audience bye bye,

[uvmonto]

02:00 AM on 01/22/2012

please, Paula always looked like she is on some serious meds. She cant even talk straight.

[jmslotnick]

11:11 AM on 01/22/2012

At least she wasn't as phony as J Lo is.....

[LeeLoPink]

09:51 AM on 01/22/2012

Yup.

[sharrontulsa]

11:09 PM on 01/21/2012

Idol has run its course. When Simon bailed I knew it was over. Kara (seemed to be an expert but had never heard of her before Idol), Paula (stoned all the time), Ellen (love her and just because she knows the words to every song doesn't mean she knows anything about musical talent), and now Ms. I Am Totally Perfect, Hot, and have it all JLo, over it!!!!! What happened to David Cook? He was good, first CD bad (rocker type bad), is he still around? If he had stuck to singing different genres like he did on Idol for the people who voted for him (older women) he would be a zillionaire now selling out venues like crazy. Like Simon's new show but cannot stand Paula or the other one zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz they are both boring and that old guy (I am 65) on the left wears wwwaaaayyy too much makeup. Got to love Simon he tells it like it is and if you don't like it you are screwed because he knows what he is taking about and laughing all the way to the bank.

[mebemommee06]

11:01 PM on 01/21/2012

They made a big mistake in taking Jlo and Steven on board, seems the ship has sprung a leak and its sinking,,,,, fast..