'American Idol' Ratings: 'The Voice' Tops Veteran Competition Series

Is "American Idol's" reign over after 11 seasons?

The Wed., Feb. 8 show earned a 6.0 rating in the advertiser's coveted 18-49 demographic, which was not enough to beat NBC's "The Voice" this week.

On Mon., Feb. 6, "The Voice" pulled in a 6.7 rating in the demographic and 17.7 million viewers total. But the Feb. 8 "Idol" episode -- the first edition of Hollywood Week -- did beat out "The Voice" in total viewers with 18.9 million.

But "The Voice" is closing the gap. Last week, "Idol" had a 6.0 rating in the demo and 18.5 million viewers.

In terms of total viewers in the key 18-49 demographic, 7.7 million viewers tuned into "Idol," while "The Voice" had 8.5 million viewers.

The battle between the two reality series has been brewing since "The Voice" entered the scene in 2011. Earlier this week, "Idol" executive producer Nigel Lythgoe told The Hollywood Reporter that though the competitive NBC series has a "fun format," "they need stronger talent -- we'll see.

It was that same argument that "Idol" stars and crew used at the Television Critics Association press tour in January to bash "The Voice." According to TVGuide.com, Longtime "Idol" judge Randy Jackson said:

"'Idol' is still the best TV show that's come on anywhere ... We're the original. We kind of invented this whole game that everybody's now copying -- and I say that they're copying it, right? ... The winner of 'The Voice,' I will remind you, [Javier Colon] was an artist who had a deal at Capitol Records for several years, a failed contract … That show was almost 'second chance people.'"

Adam Levine, "The Voice's" judge-coach who helped lead Colon to victory fired back on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show" early in February via EW.com:

"Shame on Randy Jackson for saying that. Because he of anybody should know that if you're in this business, you need second, third, fourth and fifth chances. And so we love and embrace having that being part of the show ... It was an irresponsible thing to say that."

Spats aside, though "Idol" ratings have been slipping, Nigel Lythgoe told THR, "After 11 years, I'm thrilled with these ratings," adding: "Isn't it fantastic that we're still America's No. 1 show?"

The only question is: For how long?

"American Idol" airs Wednesdays and Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on Fox. "The Voice" airs Mondays at 8 p.m. on NBC.

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Comments

[Carl Porter]

05:46 PM on 04/07/2012

J Lo is an American diva but not an American idol. She looks like continually y looking for agreement before giving opinon //it is extremely annoying//she and Randy always wispering during performances appears to be "deciding" together--come on missey, be yourself/iLet's hear it for Tyler!he observes, listens then comments. He knows himself and his music/ J Lo could use some lessons//

[beckstein0688]

05:04 PM on 03/28/2012

could care less if they cancelled american idol its been on for so long its old and stale time to get rid of it

[Sandy Strong]

10:46 PM on 03/21/2012

American Idol sucks this season. I can't take it any more. After watching for 11 years, I quit. It's bad. It's really bad. I watched 5 minutes into tonights show and I erased it from my TIVO. IT'S SO BORING.

[Beth Jensen Durfey]

07:17 PM on 02/14/2012

I enjoy watching The Voice better than the American Idol because the judges/mentors don't fight as much. I really hate the loud voiced mean comments on the Idol, not only between the judges themselves but to the singers being judged. The Voice is much more mild in comments.

[hannahiscrazyy]

06:38 AM on 02/11/2012

I love The Voice because it actually focuses on the talent of the singers rather than their appearances. Half the reason that people like Idol is because of the people who audition solely to get on TV- The Voice doesn't have that. And sure, they may be second chancers, but that's what this industry is all about.

Overall I like The Voice a LOT more than Idol. Especially now with Idol's current judges- yawn. The coaches on The Voice are not only extremely talented but some of the biggest names right now. Jennifer Lopez is the new face of Fiat while Cee-Lo makes a guest appearance on the Super Bowl's halftime show. It's really no comparison.

[shawnepink]

08:03 AM on 02/10/2012

What with the chick that fell off the stage? Was she drunk?

[kidjudas]

07:41 AM on 02/10/2012

It's just boring without Simon on it because Tyler seems like a moving animatron prop, JLo seems like she's always 1 step behind what's going on, and Seacrest I can only tolerate seeing on TV in short ammounts- like while I'm flipping channels on New Years Eve.

[HollisHoHo]

07:28 AM on 02/10/2012

This season, AI didn't have all of those horrible auditions, so they lost me.

[crystal clear 919]

07:13 AM on 02/10/2012

I grew tired of American Idol years ago. The only reason that I've been watching The Voice lately is because it was on after the Super Bowl. I'm betting that I'm not the only one who's watched it recently because of that.

[Ktbu Lfu]

07:08 AM on 02/10/2012

It's boring.

[Pippen]

07:08 AM on 02/10/2012

The Voice is scab low rent entertainment

Idol is an institution and semi-predictable

But for quality viewing it's all Idol

I've seen some of this years Idol contestants and I have to say that they are by far the most

Neurotic
Self-absorbed
Narcissistic
Vain
unstable
unprepared
attitude fail
orchids of the queen

........here's a clue to the contestants...."your not famous or in demand yet stop acting like you just beat out the Beatles record sales...."

[rabit818]

07:36 AM on 02/10/2012

Delusional

[Film Shark]

06:09 AM on 02/10/2012

American Idol has been stale for quite some time now. Anyway, I love Christina Aguilera so I'm happy for her show succeeding in the ratings wars.

[Absolute]

05:19 AM on 02/10/2012

Millions of people watch both of these shows. NO one affiliated with them is in need of sympathy.

[stephan67]

04:45 AM on 02/10/2012

Fallen idiot .

[itsjules]

03:50 AM on 02/10/2012

I never watched Idol. I tried, a few years in, but I just got soooooo embarrassed for some of those people. It made me uncomfortable, so I turned it off and never went back.

I did watch The Voice on Hulu, and I admit I really liked the blind auditions part...but WOW is Christina a beeee OTCH. My dog, what a diva, never letting anyone else get a word in edgewise, calling Adam a "used car salesman," etc. I kind of hate her, and her arrogant entitlement. Cee Lo is cool, though, and I think Adam and Blake are both very funny.

After the blind auditions, I did a lot of fast forwarding, and skipped a lot of the interim episodes.

I guess I just really like the quirk of the blind audition part :-)