'Idol' premiere ratings huge, and lowest yet

UPDATED: "American Idol" had its lowest-rated, in-season premiere to date.

The eighth season debut of the massively popular singing competition lost about 10% of its audience this year and a bit more (-15%) in the adult demo.

“Idol” was seen by 30.1 million viewers, with an 11.7 national rating among adults 18-49 and 28 share. That's the lowest since the show's non-comparable series debut in the summer of 2002. Among total viewers, it's the lowest since a special Monday start in 2004 (30.0 million).

Fox Entertainment chairman Peter Liguori said the network is feeling mixed about the numbers -- "relieved," "optimistic," and yet "not satisfied."

Relieved because the expected "Idol" erosion wasn't worse.

"Not satisfied" because, even though "Idol" is a ratings behemoth, it's still incumbent upon the network to somehow maintain the show's popularity.

And "optimistic" because critic and fan reaction to last night's episode was generally positive, and Liguori hopes that "word-of-mouth" and this round's ongoing format tweaks will improve the show's typically predictable performance trajectory over the course of the season.

"We've pulled back on the number of audition weeks, [new judge] Kara [DioGuardi] hit it out of the park, she felt very authentic," Liguori said. "I'm hoping that the ratings will not be the same as in year's past, that the sag in the middle of the season won't be as severe."

Last year the "Idol" premiere was down double digits, yet improved year-over-year as the season progressed. Liguori said Fox hopes the second episode tonight is down less than last year, which will give the network confidence the changes are working.

There's been plenty of critics second guessing the "Idol" format changes this year. But tweaks such as adding a fourth judge and fewer flop auditions represent the tried and true way of freshening reality hits -- heavily promoted minor variations that don't alter the show's core format. If anything, “Idol” was at a greater risk of decline if Fox had left the show untouched. 

And despite its overall drop, the "Idol" premiere widened the gap between itself and the second-highest-rated entertainment telecast this season: "Idol" was 57% higher than "Grey's Anatomy" premiere, compared to 55% higher than the ABC soap last year. 

CBS came in second place, NBC third and ABC fourth. CBS dramas “NCIS” (18.6 million, 3.7/9) and “The Mentalist” (18.1 million, 3.8/9) held up very well against “Idol,” both drawing ratings on par with their other performances this season and each retained more than 95% of their ratings from last week.

NBC was the hardest hit by the return of Fox's juggernaut. The second week of “The Biggest Loser” (8.9 million, 3.3/8) was down 27% from its premiere, yet up 10% in the slot compared to last year. The second week of ABC’s “Homeland Security” (6.0 million, 1.8/5, down 22%) and “Scrubs” (4.5 million, 2.2/5, down a disappointing 29%) also dropped. Though the network came in fourth, ABC points out its lineup is up 64% compared to the same night last year, the biggest gain of any network.

The 10 p.m. dramas, CBS' "Without a Trace" made gains (12.4 million, 2.9/7) while NBC's "Law & Order: SVU" (9.8 million, 3.6/9) won the hour. ABC aired "Primetime: What Would You Do?" (7.3 million, 2.8/7).

"Idol" critics react: Washington Post says there's too many changes; Boston Globe says too few.

Comments

[MrJeff]

At least FOX is smart enough not to prostitute its "franchise" by doing TWO editions every year (hear that SURVIVOR)?

That way, it stays somewhat fresh in the public's consciousness.

[TJ]

Thought Idol looked great last night. Liked the new opening sequence. Not so much of a departure from the old one, but new enough to energize it. Really liked the new judge. She seems to work well with the others. And the decision to go after more character story and less freak show was a good one. As word of mouth spreads about the improved version, I think the series could build its numbers. Not quite to its historical peaks, but still pretty solid.

[kls]

Had a gut full of 'reality' (read that television programming on the cheap) television..the sooner this garbage hits the poop pile..the happier I'll be. Networks buy up all of these stations and then can't (won't) pay for decent shows.

[gregg]

its still all fake. "Im going to Hollywood" then fall then cry.
Ive seen all the "This is all I have, please, i just want to sing" yeh right. Get a job loser.

How bout showing the kids who can really sing and dump the gay black guys and the obligatory pierced girl with pink hair. That was so 2000.

[Hans]

Hey it should be called AMERICAN IDIOT since it's one of the dumbest shows ever.

[Peter]

The new judge was obnoxious, and not in a good way like Simon. She came across as old and jealous, as well as a show-off. Dump her

[Karla]

Boy, I agree about Miss Pink Hair. Gag. Why would such a pretty girl make herself so ugly? I will never get that.
The tattoos are just ugly. One day she'll be 85 and living in a rest home wearing a diaper, and those tattoos will be hilarious. Her grand kids will be embarrassed by her.
And the blind guy? He was no big deal at all. He'll get votes because he's blind.

[Hanna]

If Idol is going to have contestants dressed like the one in the photo for this article, my family and I won't be watching. We watch for singing talent, not stripping talent.

[Bonnie]

Then why are you watching it?? If you don't like it, change the channel!

[Gabe]

I bet you are fat.

[drno]

The music biz isn't producing too many gems these days, but this kind of stuff makes it even worse. Sooner, and hopefully not later, shows like this will just go far far away :-)

[PAinPA]

ah ha ha! You're so right. I think the show is retarded, fixed and certainly biased and I wouldn't waste a minute of my life watching it.

[rich]

ratings may have gone down, but simons eyes lit up when bikini babe entered !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWyQOh64Qy8&feature=channel_page

goldieshouse.piczo.com

[idol lover]

Bikini girl certainly perked me up. Next wk. can't come fast enough.

[Susy]

seriously, who cares if its down a little? no other show gets even over 20 million so 30 is Huge. however, my guess for idol is that they will go down to around 24-25 million over the next couple of weeks- and they pick up big time when the competition actually starts

[Vince Hugh]

American Idol is pure entertainment and its real people competing in a high charged atmosphere of glitter and good clean fun. Keep it up FOX, nothing else compares.

[anacondanoir1@yahoo.com]

I think that trimming down the sideshow aspect of previous Idol years as increased the show's pacing is a definite breath of fresh air. The TRUE test however when they are knee-deep in mid-season swing when the contestants are singing songs written by established stars....which is USUALLY where the show loses its momentum. Cheers!

[anacondanoir1@yahoo.com]

anacondanoir1@yahoo.com said...
I think that trimming down the sideshow aspect of previous Idol years has increased the show's pacing and is a definite breath of fresh air. The TRUE test however when they are knee-deep in mid-season swing when the contestants are singing songs written by established stars....which is USUALLY where the show loses its momentum. Cheers!

[Joe Show]

Watched a bit last night. Its just like the Gong Show right now. Where's Chuck Barris when you need him. I'm sure it will become much more of a competition soon.

[zoye]

I am not surpised they lost the audience. After what they did to Archuleta some people just refuse to watch the show. If AI promote Archuleta and get him back on the show it will bring the audience back. They just need to realize that. Kara was working with Archuleta on his album. Was this mentioned? No. Giving a pass to Hollywood to a girl because she were in a bikini? It looks like it will be a really talentless season..filled with Sanjaya or whatever his name was.