You'd think that with all the hubbub over this season of American Idol; Paula Abdul's departure, Simon reportedly not getting along with Ellen, the singers reportedly being terrible, that American Idol ratings would certainly have crashed, but Idol's 18-49 ratings are down just 6% from last season so far (using "Most Current"* ratings comparisons which take into account Live+7 Day viewing when available and Live+Same Day otherwise).
Compare that 6% decline to the ratings declines noted in a TVMoJoe piece today highlighting the sharply declining ratings for many scripted "tentpole" shows vs. last season. (Robert recently highlighted the specific plight of ABC). TVMoJoe notes that Heroes adults 18-49 ratings are down 36%, CSI is down 33%, Desperate Housewives is down 20%, 24 is down 16% and Grey's Anatomy is down 12% vs. last season so far. (those are Live+Same Day ratings comparisons)
Non-sequiter that's not worth a separate post:
Perhaps to soften the bad news about ratings declines he delivers later in the piece, TVMoJoe calls this season "a great year for broadcasters" in the first sentence.
That's an interesting term to use, because adults 18-49 ratings overall for the big 4 networks are flat vs. last season. Remove NBC's Winter Olympics weeks and they're down 2% as a group.
Apparently, Flat is the New Great!
Update: In correspondence with with TVMoJoe, I learned that he has Live+SD season to date average data (which I don't) that indicate increases vs. last season that the Most Current ratings do not. If the 4 big broadcast networks are in fact up vs. last season in Live+SD ratings, even with the Olympics, that's at least far better than recent braodcast history.
LOL probably one of the best pictures I've seen American Idol compared to!
But even the Death Star gets blown up….twice.
Yeah, it's down a bit but still strong, especially compared to plenty of other programming. I think they do have several really good singers, though. Just about the same amount of top people that they have every year.
I'm not surprised the ratings are still good, this is Simon's last season and the teenagers still want to tune in to watch him go out with one last hurrah.
The big question is how AI will do NEXT year without Simon.
Adam Lambert is doing very well.
nerwen_aldarion
You can't be serious! Do you really think teenagers care about Simon Cowell? The only person I know who watches AI is my 70 year old aunt.
Really, Adam's doing well? Because I was pretty sure his album sales have plummeted since the first few weeks, and he's spent all his time coming up with one shocking publicity act after another, none of which have translated into more album/ticket sales. And his latest habit of bad-mouthing seasoned performers isn't earning him any friends in the industry… the people who will be responsible for how well his next album does.
Here's to Adam's 15 minutes being close to over.
As for AI's staying close to steady compared to last year? I've always been amazed by its logic-defying ratings anyway. I just don't think we can apply the same rules to Idol that we do to everything else. Who knows, when X-Factor debuts, we could see AI's ratings go UP! It's just that nonsensical.
I'd call Criminal Minds a big show, and it's up in A18-49 from an average of 3.475 last year to 3.706 this year, not bad for a 5th season.
The near-retirement age co-coworkers in my office still gossip about it everyday.
Well Adam Lambert is doing well, just NOT musically. Have you heard his album? It sucks!
1st off, people discriminated against Adam because he is gay. Adam has done well sales wise since appearing on Oprah. His song What do you want from Me is played a lot more on the radio now. That song is arguably the best on the album. It is actually good. Personally, he should have sung that song at the AMAs. While he has said he didn't like Susan Boyle, he also defended Lady Gaga, when people are attacking her over her newest music video.
along the lines An0malous' post, some of the broadcast networks could point to some positives:
- ABC: while some of the franchises are aging (Sun and Thu nights) they put up solid (if fading), Mon seems ok with DWTS/Bachelor reality wheel+a stabilized Castle, while a Wed comedy block is established.
- CBS: NCIS LA, Mentalist/CSI swap, Criminal Minds spin-off could freshen an aging schedule
- NBC: doubling up on the Apprentice means 2 less hr they need to program…
alright NBC doesn't have much good going on
I hate to say it but I miss Paula; Simon and Paula have better chemistry; I like Ellen but Ellen and that other chick just are very out of place, hope Paula goes over to the X-Factor. Simon counting down the days to get the hell out of there. Put a fork in it it's done.
ABC has arguably had the worst year with their 2 big guns tanking. It's obviously been bleak for NBC too but I think ABC has been worse.
“Apparently, Flat is the New Great!”
How many decades has it been since that wasn't the case?
It is an interesting speculation – why AI numbers are staying up. I think Abdul's leaving hurt – it had to. I believe Ellen is a ratings plus and better than I had expected. Early, you had pretty good performances by Bowersox, Lynche, Garcia. But now those three are in a rut, and the others haven't stepped up with two minor and one huge exception. The minor ones are Didi and Aaron. The huge exception is Siobhan Magnus, who is damn interesting as a performer and as a person. Raw singing talent, originality, performing across genres, 4 big weeks in a row, now – for her .
zOmg!? Simon hates Ellen???????
This has to be the worst season of AI ever. There isn't one person I would call a great singer….
Timothy, Crystal Bowersox is pretty good. But, thats about it and lilly scott who got bounced prematurely.
FOX was smart to schedule this only once a year, they make the show an event no matter what the quality of the contestants are. It's kinda like sports you know.
I personally don't like this season and missed some episodes. I'm looking forward to the X FACTOR, the format of that show is much better IMO.