Update: American Idol averaged 30.074 million in the overnight numbers, down just under 10% from last year’s 33.24 million. Bill will post the full night’s details soon…
Per Marc Berman the very earliest indication is that the season premiere of American Idol was off 10% versus last year in the early Nielsen metered market ratings.
-Ratings Breakdown:
Fox’s veteran American Idol is back and it certainly dominated the evening. But year-to-year, the two-hour eighth season-premiere lost some steam with a 16.7 rating/25 share in the overnights from 8-10 p.m. Comparably, that was down by 10 percent from the 18.6/27 on Tuesday, Jan. 15, 2008. One year prior to that, American Idol kicked-off with a 21.8/31 on Jan. 16, 2007. Here is the half-hour breakdown:American Idol (Fox)
8:00 p.m. 14.6/22 (#1)
8:30 p.m. 16.5/25 (#1)
9:00 p.m. 17.9/26 (#1)
9:30 p.m. 18.0/26 (#1)
The early metered market ratings aren’t necessarily predictive of what the the later fast affiliate ratings provide. Last year’s American Idol premiere averaged 33.24 million in the fast affiliate report.Bill will post the viewer and demographic data for all shows, including American Idol later in the morning, so check back. You can see the full metered market report for last night on Marc Berman’s site.
January 14, 6:45p PT: we’re having some struggles with our web server and I stopped allowing comments on this post in the hopes it would help. Sorry about that and thanks for understanding.
Metered Market Overnight Ratings: This is normally the first available ratings information, and is based on the electronic measurement service that Nielsen provides in 56 of the nation’s largest markets. In each market a sample of homes is selected to represent that individual market. Often, networks or syndicators provide metered market information as an early indicator of a program’s performance. In aggregate, the 56 metered markets represent 79,890,610 homes, or 70% of all U.S. TV households. Preliminary metered market data are available as early as 8:00AM (ET). Final metered market information, reflecting line-up changes, pre-emptions and runovers, are normally available by 3:30PM
All these shows are past due and feel dated boring.It worked ones but the same thing year after year very dull.
NOOOO SCRUBS
are the ratings really as bad as they seem to be?
GSFABC, Probably, but ABC has stuck with According to Jim for the past several years despite horrible ratings…. Normal rules don’t seem to apply for ABC comedies…
I admit that I dislike the idol thing. But can’t we all say……YAWN!! Been there done that! Simon hates everyone
At the rate the AI audience is shrinking, it’ll be gone in… 10 seasons or so. 30 million is still massive compared to just about everything else on TV. And I can’t imagine an hour of AI costs much to produce compared to an hour of regular scripted programming.
Someone once asked Lamar Hunt if he was concerned that his son was losing a million dollars a year on a soccer team.
Hunt’s answer was something like, “Yes, at that rate I’ll be broke in 200 years.”
The most exciting day of the year! Idol ratings! (Also the most disheartening.)
Are people complaining that AI had 30 freaking million viewers? I mean, seriously!
TV ratings are down overall but AI is close to ending its run. It’s been a succesfull show but all shows get stale at some point.
I’m sure Fox will be devestated that Idol only got 30 million…
…
… Or not.
It’s a little insane that you can drop 10% of your audience and still have more than 30 million viewers, even if its only a few thousand over the 30 million mark.
Simon proved to us last night that he does NOT hate everyone, because
he certainly loved KATRINA in her skimpy bikini…
KATRINA won the chance to go to Hollywood BEFORE she even sang a note hahah!!!
Also its hard to see how Fox can even be considering ditching AI at this point or in the near future – 30 million viewers isn’t something you can turn your back on stale show or not. It’s going to take something truly jaw dropping for AI to be anywhere near a danger zone anytime soon or massive incompotence at Fox…
Yeah, Im sure FOX will cancel AI when hit 20 million viewers each week.
Julia says:
January 14th, 2009 at 8:47 am
The most exciting day of the year! Idol ratings! (Also the most disheartening.)
Julia, please explain to us un understanding people
I was fan-boy of AI since its inception, and watched every previous season from auditions to crown. The formula is stale, the talent is so-so, and there are enough existing American Idol “stars” on the loose to keep Pop radio in business for 30 or more years.
My wife and I chose to watch our Season 3 DVD of “Always Sunny in Philadelphia” instead – after catching 15 minutes of the Idol premiere that included “Bikini Girl”… which felt like I was watching Fonzi jump the shark all over again, or at least every other season premiere of Idol so far…. ***yawn*** :O
Mikey: You’re right but it wasn’t a hockey team,it was when he owned the Dallas Texans football team (later The Kansas City Chiefs) and was trying to get the old AFL going.When told his son was losing a million dollars a year,the old man said,”well,he better be careful. He can only do that every year for the rest of his life”.
Andy, it’s exciting because Idol is the only non-sports show on TV that gets 30 mil+ still. And it’s disheartening because it’s IDOL. I hate American Idol.
Thanks, I figured as much, but hate assuming!
‘Yeah, Im sure FOX will cancel AI when hit 20 million viewers each week.’
Even then it would still be one of the most watched shows on television and its hard to imagine that the costs of AI are that high it wouldn’t be breaking even with 20 million. Idol is something I can see Fox milking forever and a day. With that said there’s something to be said for the idea of resting the format for a year.
The “Bikini Girl” segment of the preview was HORRIBLE. She couldn’t sing and didn’t even have an interesting personality. The fact that they let her through to Hollywood was a disgrace.
AI has officially “jumped the shark”…
Another season of Simon, jeez!
who cares about this show anymore? All of the winners go nowhere!! The 3 best acts to come from this show have been Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Daughtry (and he didn’t even win!). As far as the rest are concerned…where are they and who cares. Bye bye Simon, Randy and Paula.
The fact is Idol will go on for a long time. Even dropping 10% a year it will last quite a while, because it’s reality and cheap to produce.
Yea, well I saw the program and I thought it was a good mix of both great talent and a few others that could be easily missed. I love the new judge! I especially like the fact that not too much time was spent on people that should never have even shown up. Some of that stuff is just too hard to watch. At least the people that were picked to go to Hollywood will be interesting to watch in the upcoming weeks.
I think the next step before cancellation will be people not caring at ALL about the season’s winner. It already started with David Cook. It will become a total freak show before it breathes its last.
When I say people, I mean the people who watch. Everyone else already doesn’t care.
I have to agree with most here, American Idol has had it’s fun in the sun. It’s time to go!
It should be renamed “American Idiots” since that’s about all it is at best. Nothing original anymore on television and the audience gets re-runs and loud-obnoxious commercials. I’m hoping for the day that you can buy programming and not have to watch obnoxious commercials, re-runs, or craps like AMERICAN IDIOTS.
Music is taking the lead with a program like Pandora – you get to chose the music you want to listen to with no obnoxious commercials. Pandora “earns its keep” by giving you what you want and then you’re more likely to “buy it” rather than shoving it into your face.
Thank goodness for the channel changer and the mute button.
#1. get rid of the new judge. Terrible and unnecessary.
#2. get rid of the bikini babe. it shows desperation
#3. It is inevitable that the ratings will fall. don’t make it happen faster.
Bikini girl, surprisingly, actually COULD SING, and matched the new judges’ singing note for note and then some. Judge Kara (Cara?)tried to up-stage Bikini Girl and could not. Personally, I want to see all the auditions that WERE GOOD, I don’t care about the freak show contestants. Also, some of the auditions were good, and the judges thought they were bad. I know for a fact that Taylor Swift would never have passed the audition.
I talked to several people that were unaware that it had started back up and if you look at the chart above you will see that the viewer numbers continued to rise, not fall, as the show progressed.
I am so sick and tired of all the reality shows…when will good TV come back!!
Ed, 9 pm has an increased HUT level, so any show that does not rise during the 9pm hour is in trouble. I am surprised to hear that people didn’t know about its return. I’ve heard about it everywhere from sponsored event invites on Facebook to sponsored text messages from AT&T.
Come on people!!! Who cares!!! And we question why the world hates us.
down 10% and still #1 show on TV by far…not bad American Idol
Two things to factor. Idol viewers like myself can only takes so much of the truly awful, especially with attitude. Secondly, the show felt over produced. It reminded me of some Olympic telecasts. More about the athlete’s home life than competition.
The News stations that report the decline in AI only get about a million viewers nightly. If AI should be replaced with 30+ million viewers, then all the news stations about every other show on TV should have been replaces years ago.
Opie, I’m not sure what news stations you are referring to, but no one is saying Idol should be or will be canceled. At least no one in a position of actually reporting on it.
Uh, they had 30 MILLION viewers, folks. That’s a huge audience and almost nothing else on TV can touch it. When people get wind of the new dynamics with the fourth judge…and the bikini-wearing, smart-ass contestant…the numbers will be back up.
It was a great 2 hours. I much prefer the good singer emphasis over the nuts.
Maybe the ratings are down because lots of peoploe are working two jobs to pay the bills.
AI is the most inane show on television, except when it gets close to the finals. Simon Cowell is just nasty, his comments to the baritone contestant were just mean and spiteful. What do viewers get out of such nasty criticism of other humans?
I agree with Viktor (above) who stated the show should be renamed American Idiots.
After bikini girl, I will be one less watching, actually 4 less adding in my family. Many nights like that one the rating are sure to suffer, they allowed that show to be reduced to the same sleazy level that other shows that offer no real entertainment value. That was no class and trash TV to start the season.
I was ready to turn AI off when Paula used the “finger” jester to Simon. The judges should be paying more attention to the contestants than being angry and cutting up with each other. They get paid WELL, they should take there job more serious. I know some of the contestants are “not good” BUT…there is going to be that one who will become the AI.
All you bashers of AI should just change channels instead of boring us with your diatribes. It’s fun to watch the fools who can’t sing a note but come to tryout…
especially the ones who are offended when they are told they stink. That’s the fun of AI, and there’s no doubt that in the end the winner is a pretty talented person.
So, go watch the Disney channel and shutup!
Hazel, you should take some spelling lessons! Your ignorance is showing!
I was conned a few years ago to watch AI by my wife. Liked it, and watched it for about three seasons. It seems now “Jerry Springer Show”-ish now. The “over singing”, too many commercials, tiresome personalties have defeated me. I’m out, never to return.
Isn’t this still the most watch show on television?
Starzzguitar, you know this “for a fact”? How? Been talking to Simon?
I thought I might not watch AI this year, but I watched and liked it. Sure, it’s not as new as it was a couple years ago, but it’s still great entertainment. The new judge is a great addition. I think it’s such a great window into people’s personal narratives: everything from the deeply delusional to the genuinely talented. I think AI lost some credibility when the grey haired guy a few years ago (don’t remember his name) won. He was talented, but certainly not in the same league as someone like Carrie Underwood.
Some help for the afflicted:
1. Don’t watch it if you don’t like it and don’t be a snob
2. 30 Million viewers is still very respectable
3. The new judge, Kara, has a good pedigree (in the pop business) she will be successful
4. AI has become a way of uncovering new talent. In that respect it is successful.
5. Watching Americans with absurd overestimates of their own talent and ability and with zero self perception is still hypnotic and in some small way mirrors the decline of the US. It – alas – confirms the prejudice of us non-Americans that many Americans confuse confidence with ability.
How do you think they come up with the 30 million viewers? They get their numbers through very controlled questions and “stupid” math to “make it look good”. Do you think they would pay for or make public a “real” number? I’m in marketing and it’s a lot of BS and I stay away from these type of BS clients. And to say that it is still the most watched show on television is another or better way of saying “it’s the best crap on television” – it doesn’t make it quality.
And yes, we can change channels but there’s nothing on – it’s all crap. So, if you want to look at real numbers, people are leaving television in droves and going to the internet so they can “get what they want” versus what some AMERICAN IDIOT “thinks” they want. Trust me, a lot of marketing depends on “stupid” people – they’re the easiest to attract.
Viktor, I’m not sure I understand what you are saying. Are you claiming that American Idol did not get 30 million viewers and that FOX made up the number? If so, why don’t the rest of the networks do this so they can all have shows with 30 million viewers?
And if you’ve been around this site for a while, you’ll have seen many posts disproving the theory that the internet is stealing viewers from broadcast TV. This is a nice post summarizing that point.
Yes! Finally! The bane of our existence is crumbling! I am waiting however for another more exponential failure to embarrass me and our country.
I did not start watching AI until just two seasons ago and it is already getting somewhat tiresome to me. There is a lot of repetitiveness to the whole thing, and the comments of the judges are predictable at this point. The new judge is cute and all, but it is awkward having four judges; they kind of stepped on each other’s comments quite often last night. At times, they did not seem to know whose turn it was to talk. Despite all of this, AI is not going away anytime soon. The format works. It draws a large and diverse audience and it helps garner not only advertising dollars for FOX, but it give the network a chance to plug its other programming to a big audience. They would have to be idiots to give that up anytime soon. It might be a good idea to give Idol a rest for a year or so, to help build up demand, but my guess is the network experts know whether that is a wise decision or not.
The new format is so so. Too touchy-feely for me. I personally like the early shows seeing all of the awful singers and hearing the commentary. It is very entertaining to watch Randy loose it and bust a gut laughing with the paper up in front of his face and to hear Simon’s comments. The new judge is super hot though. Nice.
What most people fail to realize is that the show started yesterday without much advertisement it was coming back on. I stumbled across it 1 hour before it came on and I like to watch it with my family.
jobiwankenobi, Wow, I didn’t expect someone to trot out the tired “the network didn’t promote the show enough” excuse for Idol…
Julia, they didn’t make up the numbers – they “built” the numbers. If they had 10 million contacts that didn’t watch AMERICAN IDIOT, what would force them to report those numbers? They just chose to tweak the results in their favor – nothing illegal; it’s just selective reporting. That’s like saying “9-in10 doctors prescribe this drug”. It’s a real number – but how were the 10 doctors selected? Now bring up how many doctors would not prescribe this drug and then you’ll get a real perspective or the facts. But then that’s not marketing BS – that’s facts. Now bring up the number of people who didn’t watch AMERICAN IDIOT or any television and that will bring reality into the quality of current television programming – it s_cks.
And the fact that most of these posts are in favor of AMERICAN IDIOT – well wasn’t this news link targeting these type of folks? I just happened to click on it, but most (probably 60 million or more;)), probably didn’t watch AMERICAN IDIOT or won’t click on this news link or won’t take the time to comment. They don’t care about AMERICAN IDIOT.
Viktor, you have no idea what you’re talking about. Please go away.
jobiwankenobi, “Your powers are weak, old man…”
It all started to go downhill after the Paula gaff last year which proved that the show is fixed.
You can lead a horse to water but a pencil has to be lead.
Wow. Big news break! Give me a break. That is still a TON of viewers. The vast majority – correction – all of the people in the TV biz would step over their own mothers for those kinds of numbers. News must be slow lately. Or, maybe people are just dumbasses. By the way, no matter what, that pathetic piece of s*** has survived for years and years (I ask myself how). It never should have prospered in a descent, intelligent world. But it did. No matter what happens, the people involved with that show hit the lottery. RIP humanity, but don’t be silly haters.
You don’t thinks it had anything to do with some good new shows from CBS running against it do you? I was playing channel changer all night… sure a lot of NCSI and Mentalist fans tried to catch both and Idol’s first few nights are never that exciting.
the highlights that started the show almost made me not watch it we don’t care about willam hung keep the new f ups comming
Did that metric include my DVR? Besides viewership down in general, I don’t think these ratings count dvr recordings or not. I’d rather poke a screwdriver in my skull rather than watch Idol with all of the stupid fluff and annoying commercials. Otherwise, I’d not watch Idol at all.
So what about Tivo and all of the other dvr technology out there. I bet these metric systems are using old, outdated technology and do not truly represent true viewership. Seriously, AI in real-time…bahahahaha!!
El gato, you have terrible grammar, and are incredibly ignorant yourself.
People in glass houses…
I used to watch but don’t anymore. The show is too long and drawn out. Why do we have to have so many night of AL?
Nielsen has tracked DVR viewing since Jan 2006. But unless you are a Nielsen family they didn’t track *your* DVR viewing.
It is funny that everyone either pro or con for AI has come on here to expresss their views. Wow you people who are against AI I have like it or don’t. I personally like it, it is better than watching anything on MTV’s reality shows. All of us are drawn to AI because we sympathize with every contestant because we all sing and have dreams. I myself like a fresh new idea on AI(bikini girl) good for her!! She had gumption!! I am willing to bet those who replied on here that hated AI will be watching again tonight and will be on here later to comment. Fox won!! 30 Million viewers!! How many of them hate the show but can’t stay away from watching? Go American Idol!! Go bikini girl!! though she has no talent except she can rotate….LOL Be kind to one another. Later
30 MILLION people still watched the show.
Ratings are so high and the show so dominant that ratings would have to fall 60-70% for the show to be in trouble. Idol still owns.
Well crap, I thought they were gonna have a picture of the chick in the bikini……..
I thought Bikini Girl was hot!
Nielsen gives boxes to what they say is a representative sample of the population. They extrapolate the number of viewers of a show within their sample to the total population. This means nobody actually knows exactly how many viewers any show ever had. So, no, your DVR doesn’t count. That being said, television tastes aside, AI is an affront to music. The only talented person who ever won this show is Leona Lewis, and that was the British version (that ugly opera singer dude was also amazing but I can’t say whether or not he won). We’ve been so collectively dumbed down as a nation that Fox can get away with convincing you that this show is important. In the 90’s it was called Say What Karaoke and it was ironic (we knew the contestants sucked). You should all be ashamed of yourselves for not knowing what cretins you are.
down 10% but still # 1 in its slot? How about the other networks, were they down an equal amount, is viewership of commercial television dropping with cable and fios? these kinds of messages are never given. if there is an equal drop across the board than this show is still popular. I never trust sandalone statistics like these – they can be manipulated so easily
The american idol show was awesome. The talented people gave me great entertainment and the good human story at the end was inspirational. I love good stuff… you want poop, read a newspaper or turn on the news. The wacko are funny… Hey we all know people like that …
Just so you all don’t waste your time mis-labeling me, I’ve seen the show twice (both times against my will). I would never watch it again. I clicked the link because of some girl in a skimpy bikini and couldn’t help but spread my anti-AI sentiment after reading your posts.
Well than “TV expert” isn’t a tv expert but “per-vert”
just kidding tv expert
Jason Ellis owns Clay Aiken!
Meet Simon at his winery in San Miguel, California…. He loves everyone.
30 million idiots watching crap like this.
This is 30 million that should not be allowed to vote.
Well Dave you must have made 30 million and 1 who watched since you came on here.
Hey, I would have watched American Idol if I weren’t already addicted to Biggest Loser. With all the crap on TV, night after night, why place two good shows opposite each other? It is probably a capitalist plot to sell more TiVo’s.
This was the first episode I missed since Season 2! I didn’t even know it was on. Even this weekend, the Fox affiliate and FNC was advertising it “coming in January” with no specific date. So unless I look at a TV guide, how was I supposed to know it was even on????
The amount of snobbery here is unreal… There’s 500 f**king channels to choose from. If you don’t like it, then don’t watch! Go watch some “enlightened” stuff and leave us “lowbrows” alone! We love our show!
Who cares? It’s TV for the Insane/STUPID anyway! Watch FOX NEWS and learn something! God forbid!!!
And while Rome burned Nero fiddled.
Dave says:
January 14th, 2009 at 5:26 pm
30 million idiots watching crap like this.
This is 30 million that should not be allowed to vote.
It’s too late, they already voted for B. Hussein Obama.
Watching that hack Hannity now. Boy, he’s enlightening…
Last season was the best season yet for talent. Some people are never satisfied and expect too much. Idol is far better than all the idiot game shows, the bachelor, biggest loser, on and on. This is the best variety show we have today. Idol gives us a break from all the situation comedies stupid reality shows. Hasn’t anyone noticed the talent and established stars on the show last year? Doesn’t anyone see the growth of people like Carrie Underwood from the beginning to her triumph win. This show is a great success and continues to provide great entertainment.
30 million people watched American Idol?? Wow, but what I would like to
know is what were the other 33 million Obama voters doing last night?
life has evolved into keeping up and one big appointment. with few exceptions people have had it with appointment entertainment and shows you must watch every week at the same time. i feel they want to turn it on, be entertained and be gone
I liked the bikini!!!!Everything else is stale–