via press release:
Nearly Half of American Idol Viewers Would Watch Show Less if Simon Leaves
-- Viewers say Simon is their favorite judge --
FLEMINGTON, N.J., Dec. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- A new media study among 800 American Idol viewers revealed that nearly half of the viewers (47%) reported that they would watch American Idol less if Simon leaves.The study was conducted by HCD Research using its MediaCurves.com® website on December 21-22, to obtain viewers' perceptions of news clip discussing the possibility of Simon Cowell leaving American Idol after this season. To view interest curves and detailed results go to: www.mediacurves.com.
"Interest levels declined among viewers when the reporter mentioned that Simon wants to bring his British show, The X-Factor, to the United States after leaving American Idol," explained Glenn Kessler, president and CEO, HCD Research.
Among the viewers that indicated that they would watch American Idol less if Simon Cowell left, 58% indicated that they will not watch the show at all if he were to leave. In addition, Simon was rated as being the most popular American Idol judge, with 48% of responders indicating that he is their favorite judge.
Among the findings: Will your viewing of American Idol change if Simon Cowell leaves the show? Total ----- Yes, I will watch the show more 7% ------------------------------- --- Yes, I will watch the show less 47% ------------------------------- --- No, I will watch the show the same amount 46% ---------------------------------- --- Will you still watch American Idol if Simon Cowell leaves the show?
(Percentage of viewers who indicated that they would watch the show less if Cowell leaves.)
Total
-----
Yes 42%
--- ---
No 58%
--- ---
Please indicate who your favorite American Idol judge is.
Total
-----
Simon Cowell 48%
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Paula Abdul 28%
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Randy Jackson 19%
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Kara DioGuardi 5%
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While viewing the video, participants indicated their perceived levels of interest by moving their mouse from left to right on a continuum. The responses were recorded in quarter-second intervals and reported in the form of curves. The participants were also asked to respond to post-viewing questions.
HCD Research is a marketing and communications research company headquartered in Flemington, NJ. The company's services include traditional and web-based research. For additional information on HCD Research, access the company's web site at www.hcdi.net or call HCD Research at 908-788-9393. MediaCurves.com® (www.mediacurves.com) is a media measurement website that provides the media and general public with a venue to view Americans' perceptions of popular and controversial media events and advertisements.
Source: HCD Research
Wow, I knew viewership would likely go down if Cowell left but I had no idea that the polling would be this dramatic. I’m just wondering how this will pan out when Cowell does decide to leave. Maybe we shouldn’t read to much into this polling because we don’t have a way to verify it’s accuracy. Even if this is correct Idol can afford to lose 50% of its audience and still be one of the best performing shows on TV.
If this is American idol last season FOX is in trouble because 24 and House has maybe 1 2 or maybe 3 years left.
Where did you get the idea that this is Idol’s last season? Considering this data, Fox will be bending over backwards to pay Cowell whatever he wants and more, and keep Idol on the air for a long time to come.
I think he is going to X Factor for fox so yeah I guess he is not leaving and idol is not leaving
If anything, Idol will end and X-Factor will replace it the following year, with Simon. I don’t like The X-Factor, though so I hope Idol stays. I watch X-Factor in the UK and I hate the judges biases’.
Fox knows a bird in hand is better than two in the bush. If Cowell refuses to do both Idol and X-Factor Fox will put the kibosh on X-Factor. Problem solved.
Wow – getting rid of Paula might have not been such a great idea, especially if Simon leaves the show.
Julia, I don’t know if Cowell needs to judge X-Factor for it to be somewhat successful. Rumors are swirling that Paula Abdul is in talks to be a judge on X-Factor. Cowell can still make tons of money on X-Factor even if he’s isn’t on the show.
That’s another solution, Tommy. I can see a Cowell-less X-Factor doing at least as good as SYTYCD next fall. Though whether that is good enough will depend on what sort of paycheck Paula is demanding.
Wow more people like Paula than Randy. Kinda surprised. Heres hoping ratings drop that 28% that voted Paula as their favorite judge.
I’m sure after the Idol fallout and the lack of job offers she’s going to have to reevaluate her pay scale demands.
Simon Cowell, he’s the 1 that makes american Idol. Yes, if he has to leave I’ll still watch cuz this show is a clean show that families can watch together. Unless, you are planning to have the lifestyle like Adam Lambert. American Idol is a show that families can watch and you can dream or just begin thinking to yourself I can achieve something like this.
Breaking News: Simon Cowell is leaving American Idol
http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/wireStory?id=9404093
It will be interesting to see how accurate this poll is in 2011 when Idol is without Simon Cowell
I might actually watch ‘American Idol’ if Mr. Simon Cowell does leave, if only to see which nasty Brit FOX replaces him with…all their talent shows have a nasty Brit judge, it’s a FOX trademark.
That news story cites as its source the British tabloid “The Sun.” Think credibility along the lines of the “National Enquirer.” I wouldn’t be so quick to believe anything The Sun claims.
That said, I think there’s a pretty good chance Cowell leaves AI. If he stays, it would be because of some big concessions. I’d watch the show without him, but he is by far my favorite judge.
The reason I give this some credibility is because Reuters was ABC’s source for the story.
Yeah, those numbers should be slightly concerning. First off, 28% thought Paula was the best judge. She’s gone. If Simon leaves, the show simply will not be able to go on. I’m thinking this year is going to be the beginning of the show’s downfall, and that’s in addition to the lower ratings the show has received in the last 2 years. Now, if FOX could somehow score Paula to be a permanent judge on The X-Factor, seems like the smart decision would be to just replace Idol with X-Factor, and try to keep the audience around as best as possible.
Sucks nobody likes Kara.
But Reuters’ source is The Sun. I would bet money that Fox will offer him enough money to change his mind. This is all a negotiation.