January 19th, 2012
03:03 PM ET
'Idol' ratings, with 24 percent dip, still beat competitors"American Idol" made its premiere last night, but the long-running series can't quite boast powerhouse ratings. Entertainment Weekly reports that last night's 11th season premiere earned a 7.4 rating in the 18-49 demographic, a 24 percent drop in ratings since last year's season 10 premiere. Although 21.9 million tuned in overall, Wednesday night's bow was "Idol's" biggest year-over-year ratings decline ever for a premiere episode.
As TVByTheNumbers.com points out, the decline isn't wholly surprising, as the reality competition's ratings in the adult demo have been slowly but steadily sliding since 2006. Despite the slip, "Idol" still came out on top in Wednesday night ratings, perhaps even snatching eyes away from its time slot competitors as "Whitney" (NBC), "Are You There, Chelsea?" (NBC), "The Middle" and "Suburgatory" (ABC) all bowed to lower ratings.
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IIf you think this show is over count the comments. The musicians who are the best keep producing music by adapting and changing with the times. Try to give up your ipod and or radio for a week, it is a simple matter of focusing the show on what people actually want by involving people who actually know how to create it, like Steven Tyler.
They need to limit the voting otherwise it will preTty much always be someone from the south and typically a guy.
This show has become such a joke now that X-Factor came to America....wait, it was ALREADY a joke. The only difference is now people actually GET that it's a joke.
I used to look forward to this show every year. WIth this group of judges I just can't stand watching it and was done last year. That old fart Tyler said the same thing after EVERY performance...."that was just beautiful man". Hate J Lo and her phoniness and want to throw something at the TV everytime Randy opens his mouth. "yo dawg...you are in it to win it". Time to wrap up this tired show...plus it's always the cutest boy who wins du to the twinks who watch it. Last year...Alfred E Neuman won...paaaalease...
It was fun to watch at the beginning ,but after Jlo enter I lost my taste! is not fun not more have been watched for a longtime now....I think it is boooooring!is too many musical shows is too many.Jlo is even making one in Sapnish with her exhuby ,not my kind of cup of tea.I like" The Voice" it was a good one !
this show is about promoting the judges careers and host's financial well-being. it should be all about the winner and give them more prize money than a lousy 1 million and the rest of the profits go to Ryan and the stupid judges.
sounds like this show has run it's course..........come on........it's really the same crap and drama just different players
I'd rather watch reruns of Three's Company! People on Idol are PATHETIC when they cry... Especially when they can't Sing!!!
American Idol has gone done over the years and like every other singing show around invites guests onboard simply to promote their new album. Its not about the contestants at all.. Steven Tyler is a PIG ... especially after the comments that he said to that 15 year old girl... I surprised they showed that on TV. I'm also surprised the father didn't beat thr crap out of him right there on the spot.
I wish they would just cancel this show. Its moronic and insipid. this show jumped the shark when it premiered season1 episode1. Cancel it already. And all shows in a similar vein.
The show is very boring and the judges have no chemistry. J-Lo is ugly and too big headed and Steven Tyler is an old man trying to flirt with 15 yr. olds.
I use to love this show but i havent watched it for about 4 years ..I think they need to take this show off and the xfactor there both are so borning!!
Same people watching this show also watch "Jersey Shore" nuff said
Just tuned in for first time in awhile. Where is the snobby brit guy and the drunk old ex-cheerleader judge? Ryan sure is a cute little boy still.
Guess they PO one too many Haley fans haha.
How'd that work out for you Nigel?
It was sad to see what's become of Randy last season and what JLo sank to the last part of the season.
Signs were there last season when the final two show had none of boost it should have and you already saw 24% of the audience too disgusted to bother any more.
They turned it into a complete and utter mockery last season, 'genuis' Nigel had to stick to his original script even when a much better storyline appeared all by itself, what a phony bit (and mean too, if look to upset the plan) of producing and judging. Maybe they will dump two of the judges and/or Nigel and they can manage to slowly rescue the show. I don't think that is what they plan though.
Mr. Tyler was sometimes out of the loop and for someone of his status it is hard to give much criticsm without it seeming cruel so he didn't a lot but at least he didn't totally sell out at the end and stood up a bit for what was right.
I think even their original winner has been seen on commercials asking people to watch.... The Voice!
I enjoy Idol. So what? I dislike The Big Bang Theory. I enjoy Modern Family. Who cares?? It's a personal preference that has nothing to do with one's intelligence. Television, movies, etc. are forms of escapism. Mindless entertainment doesn't mean you don't have a mind. It means you would like to give your brain a rest.
what boobies?... she's flat chested with a huge a$$....
Absolutely Sux. American Freakshow. And the winner is Tyler and his band of Goonz. This show will pay for the decision to allow Tyler to degrade the young contestants.
Yeah, and the dip is Seacrest...
Lol
DIRECT TV REMOVED FOX FOR SOME STUPID REASON AND I COULD NOT WACTH IT I MAD BRO
Try letting us know that Idol is back on the air..... we were suprised to hear it, but too late! The ratings may have been better if we all knew it was the new season last night.
This shocking! Show sucks. J-lol should just pull down her pants and shake that booty for 60mins. Then u will get ratings!
Ratings have plummeted because people have had ENOUGH ALREADY with American Idol. It's the same thing year after year andpeople have had enough. Time for something else.
what about the coca cola display.great for children watching.we cant have it in schools but ok in our livingroom
u r really a sad little monkey arent u
Idol Sucks ass-this is real talent:
This show is STILL on?
Guess who looks like a trans-gender in the picture? Duo looks like a lady.
This is kind of a loaded story. Last year's premier ratings were higher than they should have been because people were curious about the new judges. If you discount that, the decline was probably about on par with every other season for the past few years.
This shows you how horrible tv is.
Steven Tyler reminds me of Michael Jackson – a one-man freak show. I've never watched the show and never will.
Not watching this season. Jennifer disses the hot girls and why invest the time to see it turn into a country music final? "Ivan....out!"
I'm with China on this one...... End this crap.
Steven Tyler is a horn dog. Hilarious how he made that comment towards the 15 year old while her whole family was there. Dude is practically undressing every female with his eyes, that comes before him.
Mmm jlo
Is Lisa Respers France not writing the Idol blog anymore? I don't watch the show but I liked how she'd chat with people on here when she was blogging.
dirty old man replaced snarky british man. Jlo replaced goofy paula. Silly show but fun to watch at times. Talent is kind of
iffy.It certainly is about tweeners and what they like. But after the winner is crowned...how many have been all that
successful? The Alfred E. Newman country boy...one never hears about him again. Carrie Underwood and Kelly Clarkson
probably the most successful. Where are the rest? lost in the maze of so so also ran, so so maybe wanna be's..oh yeah
Clay Aiken is now on "celebrity apprentice" oh wow...great career. Ruben? goooooooone... Hicks??? who? Fantasia???
faded away.....the one great success was just a runner up...YEAH FOR JENNIFER HUDSON...now she is talent
She brings not only beauty but also talent, kindness, good judgment for the people who audition. You can get the most from people when you treat them with kindness and respect and Jennifer does that, she cares for the young men and women who goes in front of her. Love American Idol and wish all of them the best. Jennifer Lopez, you are the nicest person on television.
really JLO was nice? The one who helped the dog bash down Haley to bits for daring to be good enough to a threat to the two or three they wanted at the top all along?
Steven Tyler needs to clean his ear!
He just a low life with money like most celebrities today. No class or any common decency. The sad thing is that's what the young kids look up to these days.
This show lost any credibility it possessed a long time ago.
It's not a talent contest, it's a popularity contest.
This show, American Idol is really good, my kids and I watched last night and we enjoyed every minute of it. It is a family show. We love Jennifer Lopez the most, Randy and Steven are cool as well.
How do you explain Steven Tyler's horn dog comments to your kids?
A breeding ground for some of the most seriously painful crap ever to be called singing. Like Triumph The Insult Comic Dog once said after hearing one of the 'singers' at the tryouts... "I haven't heard noises like that since I got my balls caught in the lawn sprinkler last month".
This show was fun in the beginning. Like Survivor, it became the victim of a formula and lost its relevance/authenticity after the first two seasons. Unfortunately it has hung in there too long and caused other networks to shuffle their shows to avoid ratings battles. I am so happy that this will no longer rule the scheduling decisions. Time to shut it down along with Survivor and most other "reality" shows.
Today's music seems like cotton candy-sweet to the ears, but nothing lasting longer than Warhol's comment. It takes a very long time to weed out really good songs from all the fluff. I'm waiting for the day when K-tel presents the wonderful years of gangsta rap (the era is now almost 20 to 25 years old, so it qualifies), or the greatest hits of Britney Spears.
Sure is a range of opinions. As a 59-yr-old female, I love Idol. Don't miss Paula and Simon. Thought the new director did a great job. Getting better every year. Bet the ratings will be up tonight!
I agree, American Idol will get better every time. I can't wait to see the second day of this show. Last night i laughed so much when some of the contestants made fool of themselves, on the other hand, some were very good, the last young man, the one who played the guitar, was very good. JLO you keep up with the good work, you are beautiful and talented. We love you.
No accounting for taste.
I stopped watching it after Simon left. His caustic comments were the only good thing about the whole show.
II recommend this show, American Idol, my family, friends and myself, watched this show for the first time and we love it. My brothers love Jennifer, well, she is amazing beautiful. It is refreshing to watch a show that cares for its contestants, the young people who audition for any show , do not want to be insulted and degraded, they want to see if they have a good voice or not, if not they want to be told so with kindness and respect as the judges did last night. I wish you the best American Idol, a great show like this needs to stay for a long , long time
Thanx for that paid message from American Idol employee of the month.
AI cares about the contestants? I'd rethink that one. AI cares about ratings, marketing of the AI brand, and renewal of the show. Last year was it for me. Same thing, year after year. Someone wins...someone loses. I think the show has run its course.
JLo is the reason the ratings dropped just like in all her movies. They suck.
DOG!!!!!
Reality Shows – are the "Dumbing Down" of Americans.
Exactly... but don't tell that to the trailer trash housewives... they get violently p.o.d... kinda like when you diss Nancy Grace.... their Queen.
I used to be a fan, watched the show weekly, went to a couple of the summer concerts of the years top ten. It bothers me that neither of the current judges gives constructive criticism. None of them lay it out like it is and say what you want to say from the home front (like Simon did). I agree they seem semi-fake, except maybe Randy who sometimes tries to tell it like it is. The voting is the most discouraging thing though. Last years winner was one that I was surprised made it to the top ten and he walked away with the prize......... but certainly without mass talent compared to several other contestants. I agree that these young kids with unlimited text on their phones likely stack the votes and allow contestants to win when possibly they shouldn't. It makes the show less credible when they allow such voting for the sake of the numbers.
Steven Tyler is CREEPY!!
Beside the fact that it's so been-there-done-that, much of South Florida market doesn't get Fox at all because of cable dispute
It's not compelling...and too many commercials make it unwatchable.
Low numbers are just a sign that this show is on it's way out as hopefully a lot of other shows of this genre.
It reminds me of Dick Clark and the American Bandstand-two kids compare new songs, and the answers have been the same for 40 years-duh, it has a good beat and I can dance to it. That's the American public for you. IGNORANT!
This show blows. Almost as much as Seacrest himself does.
Please put a end to J LO ..... send her to Taco bell or something so tiered seeing this has been.
I only want to see the freaks and shut-ins and they're thin on the ground. Where are the bush babies? And why is Steven Tyler on there again?
I no longer support this racist "talent" contest.
Enjoy the best and worst. My family loves watching the worst. The worst judges are Randy and Jlo. Who really believes that voting really counts? Scotty was a winner
BECAUSE THE NEW JUDGES ARE A*W*F*U*L
It was fun to watch American Idol, I watched two times and enjoyed every minute of it. The contestants some were good and some not so good, it is expected in the beginning of any show. Regarding the judges, love Jennifer; she is the most beautiful person, very concerned and kind with people.WAY TO GO JENNIFER, YOU ARE GREAT.
No offense, but I never did care for this show, or any of the reality shows, for that matter.
Maybe I'm just growing old.
Like the show, like the judges. Can't stand 'up close and personal' bits. Who cares about a few of 40,000 people? Show us the best ~ AND THE WORST ~ auditions. That's what we watch for.
After that last hopeless loser won (Scotty who?), I was done with the show. X-Factor is better.
The ratings have dropped because they have cut out the majority of the best part of the show. Everybody knows the best part of American Idol are the people that CANNOT sing, not the people who can. American Idol used to show alot of people who sucked and then just a few who were good. The last few seasons it has been the opposite.
Still the most fun show to watch on TV.
So tell us... how's that working out for you and your cousin... uh... that is... significant other... sharing those false teeth when you go to Ryans once a month?
American Idol should be canceled for accepting Scientology as a sponsor. Are they so desperate that they will expose their young viewers to a cult!!!
Yawn. I stopped watching years ago. The only winners who have done relatively well have been Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood. Fantasia a little on Broadway. Most are obscure. Daughtry probably did well as any of them, but he finished (fourth?) one year. Give it up guys. The show sux. Bring back insane Paula at least.
Seacrest needs to bale and take over hosting XFactor.
I like to watching AI I like all the different styles and watching the auditions is the best part. J Lo and Tyler need to be tougher they seem to let everyone go through where on X Factor they have to be good to even get through the first round. If the audition is not great they should be sent home right away. I am a fan and probably always will be...really what else is there to watch?
Can we end the misery already? if this show were a dog, we'd have had the humanity to put it down a long time ago.
this show is just dumb.... it astounds me how people fascinate over other peoples success over their own
Because not only is the show old and boring, but it's got the two most annoying judges from before and an even more annoying judge (Tyler) now. I'm surprised the show got the viewership it did, which is more than it deserves.
This one show that Fox needs to cancel, it has had it's run, now it is annoying and pretty much about celebrities wanting to judge people.
they got rid of the snarky British guy....why would anyone watch anymore?
They didn't "get rid" of him, he quit in order to do another show called X Factor, which was a major disappointment, quit watching it after the second episode.
After last season it's no wonder! I just hope it's not another "Country American Idol".
Yeah, you let a bunch of little girls with cell phones pick the winner last year, which by the way was about the LEAST talented of the bunch. There were at least 4 peope who were far better then the kid that was picked, so it was pretty obvious. That was the first season I ever watched it in it's entirety, and it will be the last. 12-16 year old girls don't have a clue what real talent is. I think this show can kiss it's existance goodbye. It's lost it's credibility, like 2 and 1/2 men.
Middle Class dreams being wiped out....
Yeah uhm, the ratings have went down b/c they've allowed younger ppl to audition and be put through, Simon is gone, JHo was brought in, and Randy hasn't left. In addition, they really and truly haven't changed their format much, other than that RIDUCULOUS save, since they began. (oh, let's not forget the fiasco with that Karen Disomething or another, she was HORRIBLE, worst than JHo if that could ever happen)
Simon was sent back to England by Immigration, he was working here illegally, about Paula, I really do not miss her, are u kidding, she was always drunk and made no sense. American Idol just started and it will get better as it goes. They are very good and love Jennifer, she is kind and gorgeous and funny.
@ STILL LOYAL TO AMERICAN IDOL ,BEST SHOW EVER... we get it... your boss at American Idol told you to go onto this blog and drum up biz. NEWSFLASH!!! The show is, was, and will always be crap for dumb as a stump trailer trash twits. Get over yourself already!
You look like a fool. A complete fool.
Awesome. Maybe it won't be on 3 f'n nights a week this year.
no orginality. The show has stunk it up for years now.
Last nights episode was pretty bland. I watched and DVRed it so could see it again. As soon as the show was ovr I erased it from the DVR. Definitly not worth watching again. Most boring season opener ever. I was fairly drunk and still didnt enjoy it or sing along with a single contestant.
You watched it twice? Wow.
I wish Americans would smarten up and stop watching such crap. Watch public television and LEARN something while being entranced at the same time. Plus, their arts shows are way beyond American Idol tripe.
Yeah, your right. I ash canned cable, which included my phone and internet at home. All I have is the 3 ION channels and I'm already glad I did that. I'm learning stuff already and my disposition is much better, positive thinking = positive living. It really works.
Carolyn... will you marry me?
I thought H. Stern would be a judge..
There's no mystery to me. The ratings are dropping because of the ridiculous way the voting is conducted. Somehow that has to be fixed so people can't send in so many votes by phone, Internet and text. It just turns a talent show into a popularity contest and smart people are realizing that and tuning out early – or not tuning in at all.
exactly plus the judges are so totally fake, two of them at least, if one of the pre-picked top contestants hits every note off key then "it really moved us", "in it to win it!" and if someone outside the pre-picked set blows everyone away "umm if I had to pick who did the best tonight ummm, everyone did the same but you [the one with talent left] sucked"
or sure your second performance of the night was easily the best of the night but I don't know I don't think you are in it to win it. I don't know Imean your other performance was only like the 3rd best, I jsut don't see the consistency there all you ever do is have a single best performance of the night each week, I just don't get it, doesn't work for me. Maybe you should've added some more runs about children dying or picked something that means nothing to you for inspiration week, why did you pick something that means something to you for that, i don't know, i just don't get it....
Ratings drop, hmmmmmmmmmmmmm, maybe it's because the show blows.
It's about teen abuse.
Don't think they probably haven't thought about that, or something similar, hollywood will do anything for $$$$ and ratings.
Is this a show about a religion I havn't heard of?
Wow i missed it again
It's the voting. People with lives are the true judges and the others who votes 1000's of times end up having their person win. I've watched every season and for the last two seasons have been disgusted by who won.
I watched a little of the beginning last year. The judges turned me off. Has not been the same since Paula and Simon left. Steve is just a dirty old man that salavates over the young girls. Jennifer is as fake as they get. Randy is just a DAWG that is a has been in the record business.
I have to say that I agree with you. Last night there was a 15-year-old girl that auditioned and had her family in the room when Steve said something very inappropriate especially for the girls age (suprised her father didn't beat the snot out of him for his comment). Don't think I will watch anymore episodes after that.
Kiersten, what does that say about her dad and her mother as parents? Once Steven said that the dad should have said something and then turned around and took his little girl home w/out allowing her to audition. He's a dirty old man for sure, the thing is, the girls know he's a dirty old man, still allows him to make his comments so that they can be on American Idol for the chance to win.... it's society not just Steven that allows this behaviour.
Paula was either drunk or in drugs and the old timer, Simon, with his two big boobs and same t-shirt he was boring and un- kind. American Idol is much better now, kids feel safe going for an audition with this new kind and entertaining judges. Jennifer, Steve and Randy are the best.
Cannot stand the show any longer, JLO is a joke, she does like any of the pretty girls, this show is fixed and needs to go away...
OMG! Did you see JHo say "no" to that NBA cheerleader while Steven & Randy said "yes". I know why Steven and Randy said "yes" but I also thought she was pretty good, I also know why JHo said "no", she doesn't want anyone looking better than her and upstaging her....
JLO is the reason my family and i watch this show, when Simon was in the show it was terrible, he was mean and we did not care to see a mean spirited person insulting young people. Now the show is refreshing and fun.
Can we PLEASE get this garbage off the air? It got old years ago.
And saying that it leads the other shows in its time slot is akin to saying that you are the best chess player in the special olympics...
What about me?!!!!!!!!!!!!
Without Simon, the show is simply not worth watching.
Yes, Simon, you are so right ....
I'm sure this has nothing to do with the show being a complete joke.
Ive heard some of the teen girls vote hundreds of times each. Kind of makes me calling in once just pointless.
Teenage girls are the idiots of the universe.
I think you're too upset about American Idol, A I Amy. I for one am happy to see this show begin it's decline. Much like MTV, American Idol also has attempted/has killed the music industry (other than file sharing, etc). And why do they have to look like a psychotic J-Crew print ad in that photo above?
Jumped the Shark!
Totally agreed...it jumped the shark some time ago!!!
They should vote like that dancing show. Five calls per phone. I never knew how voting on internet worked.
Any girl that tries out for this show is just kidding herself. The way the voting is set up the guy that the tween girls think is the cutest will always win, regardless of tallent. Look at OPIE winning last year.
How did all the women in the past win? Or the real ugly men (Ruben)?
Last night I watched American Idol and it was great, love seen Jennifer, Steven and Randy , especially Jennifer, she looks beautiful , smart and funny. This show in my book is the best , ever.
And by naming this show as the best ever you've only proven the point intelligent people make about the downfall of Western Civilization. Standards and intelligence has fallen so low that we now consider ridiculous fake "reality" TV as good television, where it used to be laughed at for the joke that it is..
This show gone down hill only person that's any good is Randy rest are has been's and J LO needs to find a better day job cant stand this fake person.
This stupid show has nothing to do with talent. It's demise is imminent.
@cb, how would you know how bad it is if you've never watched it yourself? Do tell, what shows do YOU watch that you deem "intelligent" or "best ever"? I'm interested.....
Ooops...make that @cd
I think that this show is getting old. I don't watch the tryouts, normally watch when it gets down to 10 people. However, I haven't been watching for the last couple of years. I didn't like that woman, can't remember her name and ever since then I have not been interested in watching it especially since Paula left. I watch Modern Life and "Suburgatory instead.
Love it, love it and then love it. this show is great, I have not seen any other show that compares to American Idol.
The judges are incredible, and the best is Jennifer Lopez, I am glad she is in the show, she makes it more fun. Ryan as usual very charming.
The ratings are down because the show is tired now. It has run it's course. It is not fun or interesting anymore. The 2 hour show is too long and I lose interest and the judges are boring. I have faithfully watched since the beginning, and turned it on last night out of curiosity, but I won't watch it again.
Cher, I bet you do!
I am in my 30’s , grad school and love American Idol; really, it is the best show, ever. We, Americans know when to recognize a great show. American Idol is a family show; my two kids enjoy watching it. So far, I do not have any favorites, as the shows goes on, many talented people will audition. Regarding the judges, our favorite is Jennifer Lo, this young lady is smart, talented, and incredible beautiful. In the past I did not care for Simon nor Paula, I am glad they both are gone. Jennifer Lopez brings kindness and beauty to this show.
You poor misguided fool. May God have mercy on your soul