Edward Wyatt at the New York Times has an article focusing on American Idol that ponders the mechanics of increasing revenues, even in the face of declining ratings. It's worth the read for anyone interested in those mechanics. I loved this blurb:
Even though the overall audience is declining, “American Idol” appears to be in little danger of losing its crown as the top-rated television series. In the 2003-4 season, the first in which “Idol” was the top-rated prime-time series, its lead over the second place show was about 7 percent. That margin has grown every year since and this year is 66 percent.
Mike Darnell, the president of alternative entertainment for Fox, who oversees “Idol” and other reality shows for the network, said that “Idol” could lose 12 percent of its audience every season and still be among the top 10 shows on television in 2016 — even if every other show on television maintained all of its current audience.
Oh SHIT! More suffering for other shows..
Idol is just plain addictive!
Why NBC don’t use America’s Got Talent in the Fall?
because AGT sucks…
I thought Idol was closer to the end of its deal than expiring in 2016.
Something tells me that Simon won’t stick around for another 5 seasons past 2011, when his contract expires…
Jack, $omething tells me he will
AI brings its own audience–I’d really love to see a report on exactly who these people are and why they continue to watch. I have a feeling they are mainly from Kelly Pickler-land, watching with their moms who love gay boys.
But Bill, the latest issue of TVGuide has him explaining why he is quitting Idol. You wouldn’t dare accuse him of pulling a Favre would you?
American Idol is hige.
It can bring in 30 million plus a week,thats more than gay boys and their mom. (Your thinking of the demographics for the show Mammas Boys!)
Bon’t hate a show because is a cutural phenomenon. Every third song on top 40 is someone from American Idol. The show is huge, and people love it. It launches superstars – or definately has the potential too.
At least 3 superstars from 8 season = not bad, not bad at all.
All I have to say is this:
Kellie Clarkson
Carrie Underwood
Dughtry
Jenifer Hudson
Elliot Yamin
Kellie Pickler
Jordin Sparks
Clay Aiken
Fantasia
David Cook
David Archuletta
Bucky Convington
William Hung
Josh Gracin
All of those have ttaken Radio by storm at one point, and theres countless others who have become Broadway regulers. The show launches careers, and its become entertainment at its best – and must watch television.
There is at least one well educated millionaire who LOVES Idol:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Kornheiser
he’s well outside the 18-49 demographic. I think if you could see the report Andrea, you’d see that American Idol gets a ton of everything Some of this we can see easily, it gets, by a wide margin, more of every age demographic. On an absolute (rather than percentage) basis, I’m also sure it scores very well in high income households.
128boy, less Favre attention seeking and more simple negotiation is Simon’s angle, I’d guess.
I am increasingly frustrated with the notion that AI fans as somehow lesser human beings. As far as I know, there’s no study that correlates I.Q. directly (or inversely) with enjoyment of vocal performances.
I used to make fun of the AI watchers…until I became one of them. Thanks, Adam Lambert, for a great performance that overran into Fringe time
.
typo correction: “…that AI fans ARE somehow lesser…”
Did someone actually mention William Hung as a successful American Idol contestant?
To the person above saying that every 3rd song from the top 40 is someone from Idol…I just checked the Billboard charts and out of the top 50 shown online of the Hot 100, only 3 are from people from Idol:
Kelly Clarkson at #16 & #24 and Carrie Underwood at #34.
Out of the Hot Adult Top 40, only 2 of the top 20 shown online are from Idol:
Kelly Clarkson at #4 and David Cook at #17.
While Idol is somewhat successful at producing stars, I think you are exaggerating quite a bit about the success of actually producing radio stars.
I don’t really like Idol
I can watch thousands of seasons of Survivor, The Amazing Race, America’s Next Top Model, The apprentice but not American Idol!
Its not the type of show people can watch over and over again! Plus the contestants this year have been really cheesy!
Ok, I got a bit sarcastic but I meant in my OP that these 30 million don’t seem to be siphoned off from other shows competing in the same time slot. NCIS is a bigger hit than ever, so the AI watchers weren’t tuning out of that show when AI premiered in the spring. On Weds, Lost has is down to its hardcore fanbase, which is still big enough not to completely tank against Idol.
I could be wrong, but the competing cable shows aren’t being hit by the Death Star. I know a few million have been siphoned off from the competition, but where does that other, say 15 million people come from? Do they only watch TV when AI is on?
That’s really my question.
Chuck me…
BTW….
Wiliam Hung is a success…lol…look it up…hes made millions and launched his own little career…
And…listen a top 40 station I mean….alot of what you hear is from idol. Maybe not hits right now, but jeez what do expect a single out every point of every year?! lol. Point is, people love voting for who they VERY LIKELY could be hearing daily.
Simon won’t be around because he’ll be too busy judging and raking in all the dough on The American X Factor.