Posted on 05/17/2013 2:10:35 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The bad dream of a season for Fox’s “American Idol” ended Thursday with a ratings nightmare, as the singing competition lost a staggering 7 million viewers from last season’s finale.
Thursday’s finale, in which Candice Glover won the coveted prize, averaged 14.3 million viewers, according to overnight ratings.
That’s down a third from more than 21 million last year — and the news gets worse.
Two years ago the finale had more than 29 million viewers, meaning “Idol” has shed half its audience in two years.
And from Fox’s viewpoint, that’s not even the worst number. Thursday’s share of the 18- to 49-year-old viewers most coveted by advertisers went into free-fall, dropping 44% from last year.
Fox Entertainment President Kevin Reilly, speaking earlier this week before the network’s annual “upfront” presentation of its fall schedule to advertisers, said the producers will go to work “Friday morning” to consider ways to stem the audience exodus.
Original judge Randy Jackson has already said he will not return next year, a decision Reilly said was “mutual, with absolutely no hard feelings on either side.”
Judge Nicki Minaj was reported leaving at midweek, and it is widely expected remaining judges Mariah Carey and Keith Urban will also depart.
Reilly said it is “likely” the show will revert to a three-judge panel next year.
But he also said he thought the audience erosion was tied less to the judges than to the format. He said the “boy/girl” episodes in midseason were not well watched, suggesting there will be some changes next year.
At its peak in 2006, the “Idol” finale drew more than 36 million viewers, and for years the finales drew more than 30 million, making it the most popular non-sports broadcast TV show of the 21st century.
(Excerpt) Read more at nydailynews.com ...
“The Office” Finale was on at the same time! I kept switching over to Idol during the commercials.
I don’t watch (I’m overseas), but I heard the final was fixed so that it would be between a couple of chicks. Goes to show the brilliance of those in Hollywood.
Two words, “Nicky Minaj”
I would suspect that most that were paying attention already knew that Candice had it won. I know I did, but watched it anyway since I am a Candice fan.
Nikky Minaj is the rudest and most condescending American Idol, EVER!! She singlehandedly put this season down.
As if she has any right to judge somebody else’s singing.
I thought it was very telling that all of the judges performed live...
Except her.
I do not see how one gets a job judging live singing when one cannot sing live.
Why? I’ll tell you why.. Because this program has turned into ‘African-American idol’. The ghetto worship this program promotes is sickening. If you don’t sing like you’re in an inner-city church revival, well then.. “You just can’t sing”. African-American Idol is the most racist program on television. Herding young teens into the ghetto lifestyle is American Idol’s mission. There’s nothing ‘American’ about this show in the least bit.
That could explain it.
I would suspect that most that were paying attention already knew that Candice had it won. I know I did, but watched it anyway since I am a Candice fan.
+++++++++
I didn’t watch but a Candice victory was easily predicted. A good singer who had the advantage of going up against the weakest field in memory.
She, like many of today’s top 40 ‘stars’ is a purely studio creation.
Some of the musician/production sites I participate on have a few of her engineers etc discussing what is needed to do up one of her songs. It’s a lot.
But image is what sells. Not talent.
Geez, there's so much in there that's questionable to say the least.
Promoting a gospel-like style of singing is "herding young teens into the ghetto lifestyle"?
And there's nothing ‘American’ about current American popular music?
Hum, I wonder why she did not last night. Also...that picture, I wish she would close her word hole, I don't see why anyone wants to hear what comes out of it.
It’s been that way since the days of “Fabian.”
You still have The Voice, and X-Factor to contend with.
How to create a Sexy Pop Star (who can’t even sing ) with technology and auto-tuning.
See here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irk3_p15RJY
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