Big Bang Theory Beats American Idol For Second Week In A Row

[Family Ties Forever!]

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CBS’ ‘Big Bang Theory’ gives Fox’s ‘American Idol’ a solid kick in the ratings gut
Sitcom has topped talent show in total viewers and in the key 18-to-49-year-old segment

By David Hinckley / New York Daily News
Friday, January 27, 2012, 1:22 PM



It’s way too early to say the king is in trouble, but “American Idol” has suffered a rare ratings wound. For the last two Thursdays it has finished second in head-to-head competition with the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory.” “Idol,” which just launched its 11th season, has rarely lost a time slot to any other show, never mind a scripted show, over all those years. In the 8-8:30 slot this Thursday, however, the preliminary Nielsen ratings show “Big Bang” with 15.96 million total viewers to 15.46 million for “Idol.”

More important, “Big Bang” also won the money demographic, 18-to-49-year-olds, with a 5.4 share against 4.8 for “Idol.” Part of this reflects the fact that “Big Bang” is a powerhouse on its own, a show that has given CBS a major resurgence in comedies. But the viewer numbers also reflect a big drop for “Idol,” which has averaged more than 20 million over the years. There’s no need to hold bake sales for “Idol” yet. It commands the highest ad rates for a non-sports show in prime time. Historically, its ratings have risen as the season goes on and viewers get attached to contestants.

“Idol” also remains the primary reason Fox places at the top of the ratings for the second half of the TV season, and even this year’s lower numbers would put it in that position again. Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly told TV critics earlier this month he expects “Idol” to slip in the ratings this year, if only because that happens to every TV show as years go by. Still, the quirky geeks of “Big Bang” have now gone where no show has gone before.

[ZeldaGilroy]

I'm not a fan of American Idol anyway, but I wonder how much of this can be contributed to it simply running it's course. It has been on a long time and shows like that do not usually keep going on and on without suffering a ratings dip.

However, this is still great news for Big Bang Theory! I know a lot of people who didn't watch from the beginning, but are watching it now after discovering it in syndication. I think that has helped the ratings a lot.

[Dr. Thong]

It's nice to see that some TV watchers are rewarding a well-done show with well-deserved ratings.

[EmoJoe]

I don't like The Big Bang Theory but I'm totally rooting for it against Idol. Time for that show to die.

[Goldilocks]

Originally Posted by Dr. Thong

It's nice to see that some TV watchers are rewarding a well-done show with well-deserved ratings.

True!! But AI needs to go away!

[Dr. Thong]

Originally Posted by Goldilocks

True!! But AI needs to go away!