Ratings: "American Idol" Debut Suffers Biggest Decline in Its History
Jan 19, 2012
by Douglas J. Rowe


The two-hour Season 11 premiere of "American Idol" — the nation's most-watched prime-time program for the past eight seasons — attracted 21.6 million people and posted a 7.2 rating among 18-to-49-year-olds, down roughly 17 percent and 26 percent, respectively, compared with last year's premiere.

A year ago, Idol debuted to 26.1 million people, down 13 percent from 2010's 29.9 million, according to preliminary Nielsen figures at the time — which also showed a more precipitous drop in the industry-prized demographic, 18 percent.

The Fox show scored a 9.7 rating in the demo, compared to 11.8 in 2010. The numbers have declined some 10 to 15 percent per season for five years





Still, the show far outpaces every other show — except "NCIS" — and certainly runs way ahead of the knockoff shows it's spawned, "The X Factor" and "The Voice".

On Wednesday night, it had a bigger audience than all of its competition combined.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Ratings-American-Idol-1042035.aspx

About time the AI viewership numbers got cut down a bit. Hope viewership will be even lower next week and then AI's streak as the highest-rated show in the Nielsen ratings will finally come to an end.

Still the biggest viewership of any television audience. Too bad for the sour grap suckers. Sorry, your sitcoms, drama, "reality", and other assorted garbage are still not worthy of viewership of the largest viewing audicene of the pathetic American public. Cry some more. Develop something of substance and then come crying to me, otherwise shut your mouths.

I got burned out on it a few years ago but for the ones who still enjoy the show, im happy its still getting good ratings.

Still the biggest viewership of any television audience. Too bad for the sour grap suckers. Sorry, your sitcoms, drama, "reality", and other assorted garbage are still not worthy of viewership of the largest viewing audicene of the pathetic American public. Cry some more. Develop something of substance and then come crying to me, otherwise shut your mouths.

Who cares what you think, Under-35? American Idol has made the #1 spot in the Nielsen ratings meaningless with its seven-year streak. You should be banned from this forum for that little stunt.

can we please try keep it civil in here?

the venom really isn't necessary.

The Big Bang Theory beat Idol in the demo last night (in half-hour totals.)

First time that's happened in...ever? At least since the show turned into a massive phenomenon in 2003 or so.